Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny: a desperate attempt to milk the franchise dry? (new trailer)
Ladies and gentlemen, fasten your seatbelts and prepare for a bumpy ride on the nostalgia train, as we embark on yet another “adventure” with our favorite geriatric archaeologist, Indiana Jones. This time, we’re diving into the world of “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” a film that hopes to squeeze every last drop of goodwill out of the franchise.
First and foremost, let’s acknowledge that Harrison Ford, the world’s most determined senior citizen, is returning for his swan song as Indiana Jones. It’s a brave decision, considering the film could easily have been titled “Indiana Jones and the Zimmer Frame of Doom.” With a supporting cast featuring the likes of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, and Mads Mikkelsen, one can’t help but wonder if their presence is merely an insurance policy for when Ford’s dentures inevitably fall out during a high-speed chase.
This time around, the creative reigns have been handed over to James Mangold, a capable director whose work includes “Logan” and “Ford v Ferrari.” However, it’s hard not to notice the glaring absence of both Steven Spielberg and George Lucas from their traditional roles. They’ve been relegated to the sidelines as executive producers, presumably counting their stacks of money while Mangold faces the daunting task of resuscitating a franchise that should have been laid to rest after the last debacle.
The plot, set in the swinging ’60s, features Indy grappling with former Nazis working for NASA, as he’s accompanied by his goddaughter, Helena Shaw (played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge). It seems our hero has taken on more of a babysitting role these days, a far cry from his whip-cracking, Nazi-punching heyday. Meanwhile, Mads Mikkelsen plays Jürgen Voller, a former Nazi hoping to manipulate the moon landing for his own nefarious purposes – because, apparently, it wouldn’t be an Indiana Jones film without some sort of evil plot twist.
It’s worth mentioning the film’s tumultuous production history, with more rewrites, delays, and personnel changes than a script for “Game of Thrones” Season 8. One can only assume that, much like Indy himself, the script has been weathered and battered until it’s barely recognizable.
So, mark your calendars for June 30th, 2023, folks, and prepare to witness the spectacle that is “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.” It’s the film event of the year – if, by “event,” you mean “a desperate attempt to recapture former glory while alienating fans and tarnishing the legacy of a once-great franchise.” But hey, at least we’ll get some new action figures and theme park rides out of it, right?
