Since 1981, Harrison Ford has been the face of the film franchise portrayed as the titular character, Indiana Jones. The titular character is a globetrotting Archaeologist who also fights against Nazis and other enemies of Jones’ who attempt to covet historic and mystical objects for their own selfish gain.
Ford has been the face of the franchise’s well-known anti-hero as well as its marketing campaign, yet Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny marks the end of the franchise with Mr. Ford exiting his role as Indiana.
To all the super fans of the Indiana Jones franchise, I would like to address that we will all miss him and the character so dearly. So let’s break out the whip and give Indiana Jones one last tip of the hat before Jones truly make his escape.
In 1944, Nazis have captured Indiana Jones and his friend, Basil Shaw, in an attempt to retrieve the Lance of Longinus, which turns out to be fake, but Voller has found one half of the Antikythera mechanism. A Grand fight ensues, with the two archaeologists retrieving half of it.
25 years later, Indiana Jones announced his retirement from Hunter College, but wound up running into his goddaughter, Helena Shaw, (she wound up being a criminal fixated on Archimedes’ dial as well). She stole the half and plans to sell it to the black market in Morocco.
He’s also pursued by Nazi remnants and who have framed him for the murder. Can Indiana Jones Stop the villains from finding out about the secrets of the dial and clear his name at the same time?
Even with this being the final chapter, Dial of Destiny gives a sense of nostalgia reminiscent of the first three films in Jones’ adventures. For example, the map leading to the said destination gives a memorable juxtaposition for Indiana Jones’ attempt to move the story along to the next destination. Even if it’s Ford’s final role as Jones, he truly gave it his full effort when it comes to giving the character the proper sendoff he deserves.
The two issues I have with the film so far as it follows.
For starters, Time travel: Archimedes’ dial being the main focus of the artifact as the Nazis attempt to rewrite history, of their mistake for the invasion of Poland, and wound up going further back in time. Time travel has been used too much when it comes to tropes, as well as rewriting the past is no different than breaking the canon as history has already written in stone.
The Other Issue is the major plot hole near the film's end (Warning, major plot spoiler). After Jones was unconscious and suddenly woke up in his apartment, we still have one major question yet to be resolved. Was Jones cleared of the charges that had been incited by the Nazis or was history completely changed as if the situation didn’t happen? It truly is a bad habit coming from Hollywood that needs to stop in future films.
Although the movie truly is a nostalgic thrill ride, I wish they could do more with Indiana Jones. Nevertheless, I wish good fortune for Harrison Ford’s endeavors in his further pursuit as an actor. I also find the defiant Helena Shaw as nothing less than a bad influence in every way possible. I wish the film could’ve done better to make Jones more memorable for his one last hurrah before his exit.
All the same, I’m giving this film 8.5 out of 10 stars out of respect for both Harrison Ford and Indiana Jones. This might be the last time I see the signature fedora and bullwhip, but I doubt I see the last of Harrison Ford.
Yongma Lee is a digital media/game maker who lives in Olympia.
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