Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)
When I watch Indiana Jones movies, I expect adventure, fun and a larger than life protagonist who drives the story with passion and charisma. This film began in this exact fashion with Indy escaping the Näzis in the 40s while trying to steal an artefact. The deaging technology actually looked great and it didn't make him feel like a 200 year dinosaur that De Niro was in The Irishman. The sequence did look rather dark but besides that, the first 20 minutes had the making of a good Indiana Jones movie. Unfortunately, that didn't last.
The story takes place in the 60s where Indy is retiring from his teaching career. As he is about to hang a hat, he is approached by his goddaughter Helena who needs his help to crack the mysterious Dial of Destiny. On the other side, there is Dr. Voller Schmidt, an undercover Näzi who plans to use the Dial to travel back in time and alter the outcome of WWII. Besides Harrison Ford putting his best effort and Williams' score, Mads Mikkelsen is the only other good factor with his calculated demeanor and actual presence.
Disney loves money but if they want to use a popular IP with a beloved character who is 80 years old, they must put effort into writing a coherent story with the protagonist as a center piece. Here, it doesn't feel like Indy is in charge of his own film. Instead, there is Helena who is painful to watch due to lack of charisma, positivity or chemistry with Harrison Ford. She manages to be annoying, amoral and unfunny in a franchise that is known for great female companions and pleasant humor. The kid, unlike Ke Huy Quan, fails to create any connection by acting like an annoying know-it-all.
Dial of Destiny might pass as a decent film on its own but it feels like a bad Indiana Jones movie. It lacks the happy-go-lucky adventurous atmosphere with bright colors, smiles and loose dynamism; instead it's more brooding, dark and exhausting. While some level of nonsense is acceptable, a couple of scenes really stretched it in a bad way. I keep wondering how did this cost 300 million and I wish Disney would learn when enough is enough.
Movieswithoutshmovies on Instagram for honest movie and TV reviews.
When I watch Indiana Jones movies, I expect adventure, fun and a larger than life protagonist who drives the story with passion and charisma. This film began in this exact fashion with Indy escaping the Näzis in the 40s while trying to steal an artefact. The deaging technology actually looked great and it didn't make him feel like a 200 year dinosaur that De Niro was in The Irishman. The sequence did look rather dark but besides that, the first 20 minutes had the making of a good Indiana Jones movie. Unfortunately, that didn't last.
The story takes place in the 60s where Indy is retiring from his teaching career. As he is about to hang a hat, he is approached by his goddaughter Helena who needs his help to crack the mysterious Dial of Destiny. On the other side, there is Dr. Voller Schmidt, an undercover Näzi who plans to use the Dial to travel back in time and alter the outcome of WWII. Besides Harrison Ford putting his best effort and Williams' score, Mads Mikkelsen is the only other good factor with his calculated demeanor and actual presence.
Disney loves money but if they want to use a popular IP with a beloved character who is 80 years old, they must put effort into writing a coherent story with the protagonist as a center piece. Here, it doesn't feel like Indy is in charge of his own film. Instead, there is Helena who is painful to watch due to lack of charisma, positivity or chemistry with Harrison Ford. She manages to be annoying, amoral and unfunny in a franchise that is known for great female companions and pleasant humor. The kid, unlike Ke Huy Quan, fails to create any connection by acting like an annoying know-it-all.
Dial of Destiny might pass as a decent film on its own but it feels like a bad Indiana Jones movie. It lacks the happy-go-lucky adventurous atmosphere with bright colors, smiles and loose dynamism; instead it's more brooding, dark and exhausting. While some level of nonsense is acceptable, a couple of scenes really stretched it in a bad way. I keep wondering how did this cost 300 million and I wish Disney would learn when enough is enough.
Movieswithoutshmovies on Instagram for honest movie and TV reviews.