Review: 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny' Turns Up the Nostalgia in a Fun Romp

The allure of nostalgia holds a tight grip on pop culture. I grew up adoring "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (and still do!) and the other Indiana Jones films. Though let down by the utterly disappointing "Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull," I remained eager for the fifth installment.

Harrison Ford returns as the eponymous iconic adventurer and archaeology professor in "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny," directed by James Mangold and written by John-Henry Butterworth, Jez Butterworth, David Koepp, and Mangold.

"Dial of Destiny" is a fun, enjoyable escapade affectionately revisiting a quintessential character. Effortlessly cool, Indiana Jones is intelligent, knowledgeable (sought after for his expertise in history and artifacts), endlessly curious, and exudes swagger and fearless gumption. It's a role that Harrison Ford masterfully portrays.

Opening in 1944 with an exhilarating chase scene, Indiana and his colleague archaeologist Basil Shaw (Toby Jones) try to obtain a religious artifact on a Nazi train. Onboard, Indiana happens upon the Archimedes Dial (based on the real-life Antikythera mechanism), supposedly able to locate "fissures in time."

After the exciting opening, the film leaps to 1969, as Indiana is about to retire from teaching, separated from his wife, Marion (Karen Allen), and living alone in his New York City apartment. Indiana's archaeology-student goddaughter, Helena Shaw (Phoebe Waller-Bridge), approaches Indy to join her on a quest to obtain the Archimedes Dial.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge is a great co-lead and sparring partner as the charming and cunning Helena, evoking Rosalind Russell in "His Girl Friday" with her quick banter. The stellar supporting cast includes Mads Mikkelsen, John Rhys-Davies, Toby Jones, and Antonio Banderas.

"Dial of Destiny" weaves nostalgia throughout the film with references to the previous Indiana Jones movies: "Raiders of the Lost Ark" [photos of Marion Ravenwood in Indy's home, Sallah (John Rhys-Davies) returns], "Temple of Doom" (Indy talks about drinking the blood of Kali), "The Last Crusade" (photos of his father, played by Sean Connery), and "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" (talk of his son).

As a kid, I thought Nazis served as the perfect villains in movies, because everyone agreed they were evil. Sadly, fascists never actually disappeared. But the Indiana Jones series is predicated on the evils of fascism with the hero as the ultimate Nazi-puncher. And Indiana faces Nazis again with the villainy of astrophysicist Jürgen Voller (Mads Mikkelsen).

While cinematographer Phedon Papamichael has done striking work on previous films ("Nebraska," "Ford v Ferrari"), "Dial of Destiny" doesn't look as arresting as Douglas Slocombe's gorgeous cinematography in "Raiders of the Lost Ark." While the de-aging of Harrison Ford in the opening scene looks pretty good, the film suffers from too much CGI, as the landscapes surrounding the characters don't look as crisp or cinematic as they should.

The fantastical elements haven't always been successful for me in the past Indiana Jones films, but somehow they work here.

When Helena asks Indiana to join her for one last adventure, Indy says he's too old. Helena later challenges Indiana on archaeology, which has a long history of colonialism and racism, astutely calling him a "grave robber." Hollywood frequently taps into nostalgia, as seen in the recent legacy sequels "Top Gun Maverick" and "Scream VI." While Hollywood (and society in general) simultaneously obsesses over youth, it's intriguing and impactful to see older heroes on screen and to watch them grapple with their choices. In "Dial of Destiny," Indiana struggles with time, mistakes, and regrets.

While it never quite captures the magic, wonder, and splendor of the original or the two subsequent films, "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" remains an amusing, nostalgic romp, and a fitting farewell for the iconic hero.

"Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" opens in theaters on Friday, June 30, 2023.