Give em’ hell, Indiana Jones.

I cannot sit here and write this piece without being completely honest. We here at Gaber’s Two Cents are Indiana Jones connoisseurs. From actor Harrison Ford’s charismatic performances, the adventure and occasional supernatural threats, and the Nazis in need of a mean right hook. Simply put, Indiana Jones has always been and always will be a pop culture staple within film history. Which is why it was so surprising when it was announced that 81 year old Harrison Ford would once again dawn the fedora and whip for one last ride in 2023’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Does the film do justice to the character? Or does it nuke the fridge like the previous entry? Let’s find out on Gaber’s Two Cents.

First and foremost it must be stated that the opening 25 minutes of this new Indy film is an absolute blast. Taking place when Indiana was still in his prime, we are given a look at the character when he was still very much the likeable crusader that he was in previous films. With an imposing villain and rousing action set pieces, it perfectly sets up what is to come within the rest of the film. While I am not particularly fond of deaging characters for scenes that take place in the past, (I would usually prefer a younger actor that shares the same likeness as the lead) the technological magic used for Harrison Ford is just spectacular. So much so that you would be forgiven if you saw this opening and assumed that they used old footage of Ford when he was much younger. While there are some frames that occasionally look a tad odd, for the most part it is a believable blast from the past that serves it’s purpose well.

When this extended sequence ends we are shown an Indy that is very much worn down by his several escapades from the past. With bullet wounds and scars around his body, this version of Indy might be in the most vulnerable state we have ever witnessed the character in. Not to say that Ford looks out of shape, (It’s actually amazing how imposing Ford still looks at the age of 81 years old) but there is that lingering feeling of a man that is simply past his heyday.

With every Indy flick, there is always an ancient relic imbued with supernatural abilities. In most of these films these artifacts bring both immense power, and undeniable chaos, and Dial of Destiny’s prized object is no different. It helps that director James Mangold has studied his history, and has provided one of the most thought provoking if not consequential artifacts in the entire series. With the Greek mathematician Archimedes being the sole creator of the films “dial”, it has the ability to detect when fissures in time will occur. Unquestionably making it the perfect tool for actor Mads Mikkelsen’s nefarious Nazi scientist, Jurgen Voller.

Speaking of Mikkelsen, he brings the exact witty and telegraphed performance audiences have come to expect from an Indiana Jones villain. While that might sound like a dig at Mikkelsen’s expense, it’s not. He does his job well, and completely sells the cartoonish villain themes that occupied antagonists motivations at the height of Indiana Jones popularity. It helps too that the secondary antagonists pull their weight as well. With Boyd Holbrook doing an excellent slimey job as Mikkelsen’s right hand, and the brutish Olivier Richters as the imposing muscle that reminds Indiana that he cannot hold his own against muscular monstrosities any longer.

With Indiana being way past his prime, how can anyone believe he could hold his own in this new adventure? Well, that’s where actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge comes in. Bridge provides a confident and elegant performance as a con artist that is attempting to complete her fathers unfinished work regarding Archimedes Dial. Usually I am not the biggest fan of introducing protagonists that have supposedly existed already within an established characters world, but surprisingly it actually works quite well. It helps that Waller-Bridge steals almost every scene she’s in, and is believable in every action set piece as well. Executives and creative writers should take note, because director James Mangold does a fine job introducing this character into an already overpopulated world.

With Harrison Fords age you would think that filming an action sequence with Ford as the focus would be impossible. You’d be wrong. Ford still has that charismatic magic, and it is showcased in every single action heavy set piece he’s involved in. From the humor tinged moment of him cracking his whip at a table full of strapped thugs, to the high octane chase scene that follows in the films middle act. Every action scene convincingly portrays an old Indiana Jones who is still up for one last adventure. It also helps that most of the stunts are practical, which helps to camouflage the stunt performers filling in for Fords place.

*Spoiler Alert*

If I had to fault Dial of Destiny for anything, it would be that Antonio Banderas character Renaldo, was an obvious goner from the get go as soon as he is introduced. I’ve never understood casting notable actors in roles that are doomed to be six feet underground in a short time span, and his appearance is long enough that you cannot label it as a glorified cameo. However, Banderas’s death does provide Indy with a nice character moment detailing why he no longer dons the fedora and whip in the first place, and for that cannot I fault the creative decisions behind the scenes, since Banderas death provided such a realistic moment of clarity.

Without getting into too much spoiler territory, I must say, when the supernatural phenomenon elements do finally appear in Dial of Destiny, they work quite well. Again, Mangold has done a great job in researching Archimedes’ historic past and it shows. While also providing a finale that stands apart from the rest of the climatic showdowns within this franchises storied history. It maintains enough realism to make it believable, and what more could one ask from an Indiana Jones film.

All in all, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny holds it’s own against the films that came before. Is it the best film in the franchise? No. However, it does provide a realistic examination of a man out of his prime whose story is not over just yet, and that’s all any Indy fan could ever ask for. All that and more is why Indiana Jones final adventure received this particular Cent Score.

Cent Score: 4 Cents

Not a masterpiece, but as close as one can get.

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