Indiana Jones-Dial of Destiny
I saw Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark in 1981. I was thirty
years old, five pounds lighter and combed my hair. It was magical: the huge round bolder rolling down, fighting Nazis
and watching them melt when they open the Ark of the Covenant. This being the
fifth iteration of the Indy franchise it is nostalgic but worth watching.
Jones is still cantankerous, teaches at Hunter College and
lives on Eldridge street. He is still fighting Nazis past and present. A
hallmark Indiana Jones films are chases,
automobile and other wise. The chases in this movie are clever and unique. For
Ford the Indy character is like a second skin. In some scenes he is vulnerable and
melancholy. The film has all the props, the hat the whip and a clever variation
on snakes.
Mads Mikkelsen, a former Nazi scientist, is Indy’s nemesis .
Mikkelsen is type cast as a villain and rightfully so. His cold eyes and menacing voice are perfect for his character. He does not
do much of the fighting but leaves it to
his henchmen.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge is Helena Shaw , Indiana’s goddaughter.
She is a scamp and duplicitous. She sees artifacts as items for auction rather
than museum pieces. She does provide some comic relief.
Antonio Banderas has a brief appearance
as an old friend. The role did not require his talent. Toby Jones is an archaeologist
and friend of Indiana Jones. He is also pursuing
the Dail of Destiny. John Reys Davies is Indy’s’ Egyptian friend from Raiders
of the Lost Ark who was a resourceful ally. Instead of riding camels now he
drives taxis. Binding all five films is John Williams iconic movie score.
At times the film feels like one chase
scene after another: some better than others. From the title of the film, you may deduce the plot, but it
has a nice twist.
Regrettably the film is a financial
flop. It cost between $295m-$400m and to date earned $260m. The 18-35 year old male
cohort off 1981 are now in their 60’s and 70’s. Gen z/x’s are more fascinated by
their video games than watching melting Nazis.
