Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

James Mangold directs the fifth and final Indiana Jones installment. It’s 1969 and Jones (Harrison Ford) is about to retire, teaching history to kids more interested in Moon landings and music than history. But things don’t go to plan when the daughter of an old friend, Helena (Phoebe Waller-Bridge), arrives back in his life. She wants Indy to help her find a priceless artifact that her father spent his life hunting. While Indy doesn’t agree, it doesn’t stop him being pulled into a chase across the world, which includes Nazi’s (of course!) adventures under water, on land, in tombs, in the air and through time. All in one last outing for the Fedora and whip.

Dial of Destiny is a satisfying if underwhelming goodbye to one of cinemas most enduring adventure heroes. Mangold attempts to bring the look and feel of 80’s Jones and to a great extent he succeeds. But doesn’t quite pull it off completely with an adventure set over 2 1/2 hours which feels ready to get started but never quite does.

The action is impressive and relentless. Beyond some mixed CGI in the early scenes. The majority of the action is physical, with races through streets, scrambling through caves and battles through bars that all give a feel of an Indy adventure.

But the action sequences sometimes feel a little laboured and often lack the energy and humour the series is known for. A bit like with the returning Han Solo, Ford plays a more weary and melancholic version of Jones which works well. Ultimately it’s Waller-Bridge’s Helena that the energy and witt.

Alongside the leads Mads Mikkelssen goes full Jones Nazi. With Ethan Isidore’s Teddy taking on the adventurous kid roll. John Williams score carries the film along occasionally breaking into its globally famous theme.

The Dial of Destiny is a competent rather than memorable send off to a beloved character. It makes an attempt at creating a sprawling 80’s adventure, but never quite makes it. It just about manages to not jump the shark at the end and its touching final scene feels like a suitable goodbye.