Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

The value of the film is remembering the past. But at 2 hours, 30 minutes, it loses its magic.

While no one admires Harrison Ford more than me, this film is largely a waste of time. With Ford digitally altered, the film begins with a fight with Nazis in 1944. It then jumps to 1969 where Ford is languishing away his time in a New York City apartment.

Confronted by Helena (Pheobe Waller-Bridge), his goddaughter, the film tells the story of their attempt to find the Antikythera, a clock-like instrument dating back to Archimedes in 200 B.C. It supposedly is capable of detecting “Fissures in Time”.

Of course, Nazis are involved, in this case an embittered officer played by Mads Mikkelsen seeking to find a way to change the end of W.W.II. The entire film involves a struggle by rivals to find this valuable artifact.

Unfortunately, the film becomes a gigantic mess as you watch our heroes in one lengthy chase scene after another involving trains, motorcycles and three-wheel transports. I suspect most of you will be moaning, “Good God, what’s next!”

In particular, one of the most ridiculous scenes ever filmed involves Helena leaping from a vehicle onto the wheels of a moving plane as it prepares to take off. I was left wondering if this was one of the reasons that Spielberg decided not to direct this movie.

Let me close by noting a couple small roles that keep you from mumbling, “Why am I here?” Ethann Isidore is fun to watch as Teddy, Helena’s young sidekick. Toby Jones gives an expected fine performance as Indy’s Archaeologist friend and John Rhys-Davies returns as Sallah, Indy’s pal from the earlier Raider films. Shaunette Renee Wilson is memorable as a smart, government agent pursuing Helena.

But I must admit that the film’s ending brought a small tear to my eye. It involved the appearance of Karen Allen as Indy’s old lover Marion Ravenwood. It involves a great kiss. I still love her performance in Animal House (1978).