Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (REVIEW) | Projector | Better than Crystal Skull, at least! 

Sorry for it being so late - you can probably work out some of why from the length (and trimming it to a palatable run time).

Am I the only one who is tired of Indy continuing to disbelieve in the supernatural? He has laid hands on the Ark of the Covenant and was there when it opened. A man dove his LITERAL HAND into your chest and grabbed his heart. He PERSONALLY met a knight who had been alive for CENTURIES and used the Holy Grail to heal his father. And like it or not, he established a psychic connection to the skull of an extradimensional being and witnessed that being teleport away in a spacecraft. It's like Kaiba in the dub of Yu-Gi-Oh!. How can he possibly not believe that supernatural forces like magic exist after everything he has gone through.

When I looked at Dial Of Destiny's production history, I discovered that even going back to the franchise's beginnings, there was always an intention to make four sequels. We just never thought that it would take 42 years for it to become a Pentalogy.

As someone who actually likes Crystal Skull, the fact that they're trying to do the same "you abandoned me" storyline without mentioning Indie's *_biological son_* is kinda insulting. Speaking of which, George Lucas actually contributed to the initial draft of the script. It was his idea to introduce aliens and the Cold War to make more less like a 30's adventure serial and more like a sci-fi B-movie.

I’m that controversial bloke who hates Temple of Doom, and didn’t really mind Crystal Skull. And I liked Dial of Destiny, even if it doesn’t so much as touch Raiders and Crusade. I just want to add since it wasn’t in the review, John Williams’ score so thoroughly propels the action, and it’s terrific stuff.

The New York scenes where mostly shot in Glasgow and I was there to see the chase with indy on the horse being rode by a stuntman.

Ok, I know that Mutt Williams in the last movie didn't have many fans, but did that *really* warrant him being killed off in-between films? It's the same issue as with Rose Tico in _The Rise of Skywalker_ in that instead of fixing the contentious character, they just sweep them under the rug. I mean come on, it's Indiana Jones' _son_ for crying out loud! You really couldn't tell any more stories with him and his father? And if Shia LaBeouf was that problematic, just recast him! It's becoming really obnoxious with how Hollywood is just allergic to the idea of recasting roles. It's always either digital de-aging or CGing over a body double that's the norm these days. I really think you could have done a proper "passing the torch" story with Indy and Mutt getting to properly bond as father and son on Indy's last adventure. You might say that it would come across as a retread of _Last Crusade_ but I think with enough tweaks and effort you could make something that stands on its own two legs. You could have even had an ending that's a callback to the ending of KOTCS where Mutt tries on Indy's hat but instead of taking it Indy let's his son keep it since he's earned it now. I just can't help but feel there was a lot of missed opportunities to take with Mutt's character but they just completely dropped a bridge on him and called it a day.

This was better than Skull, which has three unforgivable story parts in it (in ascending order: vines, fridge, ancient aliens) without getting into the train wreck Shia's become. For all its faults, though, it does have memorable scenes, and I love Cate Blanchett even with her inconsistent accent. It also has the benefit of ending on a happy note. This one, honestly aside from the (spoiler) scene with Indy looking at actual history, I'm not going to remember, and part of that is because of how miserable Indy is after the (enjoyable but too long) prologue, and the reason for said misery. This is an action -adventure series first and foremost. I see these to escape. The last thing I want such a film to do is remind me of how much real life can suck. The way it's handled here just leaves a sour taste in my mouth. You want Indy to be a little depressed? He's being forced into retirement. Helena wants his help to find the artifact. Indy's reluctant, but Marion convinces him to go. Mutt on the other hand has his own family. Done. The rest of the movie plays out practically the same. On your point of Helena being like Marion, I'm just going to quote Marion from Raiders: "Until I get back my five thousand dollars, you're gonna get more than you bargained for: I'm your goddamn partner!". That sure sounds like a similar motivation to me. 👍

I had fun with the movie despite being messy at times, mainly as I went in just wanting a good night at the movies and seeing Ford as Indy one last time rather than expecting it to be comparable to the original trilogy.

I’d like to see this film, when it pops up on streaming. At this point (I’m old enough to have seen the series when they came out), it’s nostalgia. I’ve aged with the Indiana Jones movies. Great review, Matthew. 😀

One minor head's up. In the US Le Man's 66 was called Ford v. Ferrari. I had to go to IMDB to figure out what movie you were talking about. Using both names would have avoided confusion for a lot of Americans.

Great review. Love the hat.

Overall the movie was fine, not quite on the level of the original trilogy but still a decent entry in the series. One criticism i can make however is the feel of the movie is a little flat, missing that Spielberg/Lucas element of comedic timing and charm that the others have. Overall a good send off to the character, a little bittersweet.

Thank you for this! Well worth the wait for your insight.

I know I'm going to be in a small boat on this one, but I actually liked this one less than Crystal Skull. That movie, for all its flaws, had several scenes that stood out to me and overall still felt like an Indy film through and through. This one, on the other hand, just felt bland to me for most of the runtime, and there were very few scenes that actually excited me. And most of all, it never fully felt like it had that adventurous spirit to it that Indiana Jones is all about. Anyway, that's how I felt.

Waller-Bridge in an Indy film is literally nightmare fuel. There's no place like home, there's no place like home.... !!

Hey just to let you know, iv been subscribed to you for years & recently wondered where you have been. I haven't been receiving any notifications. So I unsubsribed then resubscribed, I know all kinds of shady stuff has been happening to many channels on RU-vid. Anyways just a F.I.Y looking forward to resume watching your videos!!! Big Fan!!!

I honestly liked this movie, and it is so weird that there are people who treat that as a personal attack.

100% agree, train section was great

It does sadden me that this film flopped so badly. It’s not a perfect movie, but it’s the only Indiana Jones movie that I saw in cinemas and I was hooked from start to finish and I walked out of the cinema feeling good. And it got me to go back and watch the other movies.

I was so let down by Crystal Skull and late sequels in general, I was not gonna see it after early reviews came in. But I tend to have a similar view on movies like you, so I think you have changed my mind and I'll give it a go.

I fully support their decision to go nuts and send Indy and the Nazis back to 200 BC. I love the look Mikkelsen gives when he realizes they have failed tremendously. Is he the only villain to get a very non-epic death? His plane just crashes and he dies. Anyway, the final 30 minutes were the best part of the movie.

I quite concur with the Crystal Skull. I liked it then and I watched it before Dial. It instantly strike me with how awesome the Spielbergs cinematography is. The way shots are planned. The lighting. this is something missing in new movie. I only have problem with Monkeys scene. Fridge is fun and totally fitting Indiana Jones style.

If they ever, EVER bring this franchise back after Harrison Ford passes on we had better, as a society, start burning down Disney's property. He has been VERY clear that this character gets buried with him and I for one see no reason to question that for a single second. He IS Indy. When he's gone, so is Indy. Let Star Wars keep expanding its universe, Indy belongs in a museum

I feel like Banderas is in there because they decided that they didn't want to kill Sallah. Side note, given that Rhys Davies' own accent was really showing through, I was honestly surprised that they didn't have a reveal that Sallah was the name he took when he converted to Islam to marry Fayah.

I Wouldnt' call it better then crystal skull, they are both bad movies, but crystal skull had alot of heart to it and passion was clearly put into the production, dial of destiny on the hand just felt like soulless to me it felt like disney wanted to use the indiana jones license one time before harrison passes on which kinda makes this more cynical imo

Love the titles

I don't get the appeal of seeing heroes from our youth dragged back as feeble, miserable old losers. We really need to accept series ending. It's almost macabre seeing these old characters and franchise paraded around like corpses being puppeted.

I don’t know if I’ll watch this movie but I’ll come back to this eventually 😅

Yeah, the film is not a good as Crusade or Raiders, and lacks the edge of Doom that makes is so beloved, but its still a fun film and a MUCH better finale for the character than Crystal Skull. B- of a film, maybe, but that final act was a damn hoot, and fully agreed on the random background guy along for the ride at the end, damn shame we didn't get a scene of him, like mid or post credits, trying to explain what happened to him :D.

Harrison Ford's peak really was during the 80s with that Indiana Jones trilogy. Harrison even after 1989 wasn't really as charismatic as when he portrayed Han and Indy. Indiana Jones is America's greatest cinematic hero. The Fugitive, Air Force One, he really wasn't the same charismatic figure like he was as Han and Indy. When Crystal Skull came out, he kinda still had it but it still wasn't quite there. Then watching Dial of Destiny, it's really watching Harrison trying to be Indy than Harrison being Indy. We can put the Phoebe character aside and Harrison no longer as "IT" as Indy. But what can we expect from a man in his 80s? His absolute peak was from 1977-1989 as Han and Indy, his two greatest characters in two beloved franchises created by George Lucas. The charisma was still there. He was still ages 35-47. When we watch The Force Awakens and Dial of Destiny, it's just watching an old Harrison Ford portray our beloved cinematic heroes one final time because he only wants to collect checks. It's not the Han Solo and Indiana Jones that we grew up loving as kids in the 80s and 90s with his funny lines and amazing charisma. Michael Jordan is my all-time favorite celebrity. Not just among athletes. But imagine watching him play basketball in his 60s? That's rough. I only want to remember him from the 80s and 90s. That's the same with Harrison. I only want to remember him when he was still in his 30s and 40s during the 1970s and 1980s. When Harrison Ford still had IT. Grace Randolph ranked her top 10 movies so far from the first half of 2023. Now I really stopped caring watching her any more. But I took the time to listen to her and kudos to her for ranking BlackBerry at 3rd and Air at 4th. She put them behind Dead Reckoning and Across The Spider-Verse. Air and BlackBerry will probably remain my two favorites of 2023 because I'm into Michael Jordan, his sneakers, and phones. They're both well done business/corporate movies. That's fascinating stuff talking about history and business. BlackBerry does divert with their real history more but it's still entertaining and a cautionary tale while Air is more inspirational. Tom Cruise did it again from what I'm hearing. Saving summer movies a second time in a row. Now Tom at age 60 still has "IT" that Harrison lost over 20 years ago. Tom is willing to make Mission movies into his 80s. And I'm all for it! Tom still showed he still has "IT" in Top Gun: Maverick. A 60-year-old Scientologist is still kicking ass and saving Hollywood summer blockbusters and movie theaters.

There's an actual actor who can sub for young Indy Anthony Ingriber

Interesting to hear so many differing opinions about where this new Indy stands compared to Crystal Skull. I watched all 4 of the previous movies not too long ago, and actually enjoyed KotCS quite a lot, so if Dial of Destiny is even as good as it, it sounds like it's worth a watch. Though it does feel weird whenever I hear the first 3 films described collectively as great films. A few standout action sequences aside, Temple of Doom is *so* bad, I'm convinced it just gets elevated by being sandwiched between 2 all time great movies. Give me aliens and nuked fridges over ToD's racist underpinnings any day.

It's not better than Crystal skull. Not in any way, shape, or form.

Seeing now that time travel is an eatablished thing in this universe now, I really don't understand how the UFO can still be a complaint, hell i still think that aspect was pretty cool. Also ive never been on board the Shia Labeouf hate train just because of the bad Transformers sequals. So you could say im more bias towards positivity in that manner

Well, she has a funny way of showing her love for this surrogate father, by stealing an artifact from him, and getting several of his friends killed, for which she shows no remorse. I just could not stomach this Phoebe lady, not just as a character but the actress herself is endlessly smug, arrogant and just not likeable.

It’s never too late for a movie review man. Great review as always. I’m dying to hear your opinion on “Asteroid City” and “Past Lives” as well, if you’re able.

Boys jersey didn't exist at the time.

Indy was too old when they filmed crystal skull, and it was clear back then that the magic had gone, they fooled me once, but I wont be fooled again, this is an easy skip for me

are you sure about that?

In no way is this movie better than Crystal Skull.

I’ve just watched it and I liked it. Phoebe Waller-bridge held the film together for me. Not as good as the original 3 though

Better? Hell no!!!!

HARD PASS. I don’t want it to taint my memories of the trilogy the way ‘Skull did.

Good review but can't agree. This series should have been left alone after Crusade. They didn't have anything left to say afterward.

No, its not Mutt>>>>> Fleabag Aliens>>>>> time travel

Better than Crystal Skull... no, just... just no

I preferred Crystal Skull. At least that gave Indy a proper happy ending that the series could end on. Dial of Destiny just gives all that the finger, and turns our beloved Indiana Jones into a depressed old man who's divorced, child-less and out of touch. The opening was great, the rest was fine, but none of it did anything for me. It was all very forgettable or just a lesser version of other things the series did. Mads Mikklesen's character was ok and his concept worked well, but he doesn't quite stand up to most of the other villains in the series (his death was also not quite as memorable either). Many of the rest of the cast I just think are fine, and many I can't even remember the names of. I'm not even sure how many of their names are mentioned in the film.

I still view Indiana Jones as a classic 80s trilogy; KofCK and tDoD are just glorified epilogue films because those two films are far away from the creative input of the original three movies.

Spielberg didn't have his heart in Crystal Skull? If you're not up to the task then don't take the damn job. It's not like Spielberg needed the money.

Personally, I just find this movie rather pointless. There's just no reason to watch this. Not even to compare Dial of Destiny to Kingdom of The Crystal Skull (because it's like saying that Terminator: Dark Fate is better than Genysis, neither movie is good any way you slice it), but judging it from everything else that came out this year. John Wick 4 had a more satisfying sendoff to its male lead, Fast X had better chase scenes, Extraction 2 had better action scenes, hell, even Transformers: Rise of the Beasts had a more entertaining adventure than Dial of Destiny.

Crystal skull is better then dial of destiny

Dial of Destiny is as bad as Kingdom of the Crystal Skull imo. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade should have been the last Indi movie.

How come u don’t do filmbrain anymore

It was messy, but had a fun time. Loved the chemistry between Ford and Waller-Bridge; I got into Fleabag recently and her charisma balanced out with Ford's in an effective way. Anyone who makes useless reactive RU-vidrs go "THIS IS WOKE" for no fucking reason has my vote for confidence lol I do wish Karen Allen was in it more especially knowing what's happened between Marion and Indy in-between this and Crystal Skull.

Just gash. That's all

Black lady could not possibly catch up to him at the subway station.

I cannot disagree more with your view on this movie. It's a poor instalment. It is not a fitting end. It is nowhere near the original trilogy. It has no heart. It is a shameful movie. It's not entertaining. I don't like your review, sorry.

Terrible movie with ridiculous contrivances, complete deconstruction of a venerated legacy character ( lad for the course for lucasfilm) just to serve as a launching point for a KK self insert fan fiction “strong female character” (also a Disney lucasfilm staple) who undermines and over performs our lead in what can be best described as a Mary Sue. Also, the plot makes no sense. Utter garbage.

One last adventure huh? Not if they CGI Ghost him like Harold Ramis