'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny': The Final Adventure In Twilight

Never thought I'd have the chance to see Indiana Jones on the big screen in my lifetime. Thanks to the persistence of Lucasfilm in making another installment, audiences who missed out on seeing this series in theaters finally have the opportunity to make up for the regret of missing the previous four films, as well as bid farewell to the beloved character.

Directed by James Mangold, taking over from the busy Steven Spielberg, the film starts with a 20-minute action sequence set in a Nazi camp, capturing the comedic elements that Spielberg infused into the previous four installments. However, it only captures a portion of that essence, as the overall pacing of the film seems to struggle to match the speed of the beloved character. It wants to be fast-paced, but falls short, resulting in prolonged chase scenes that alternate between being gripping and loose, eventually making the film feel longer than necessary.

The film showcases the fatigue of the series, with imbalanced pacing and a lack of successful emotional development between Indiana and his adopted daughter, Helena. The introduction of the new character, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, fails to reach the level of charm imagined, unable to recreate the humorous father-daughter dynamic seen in the third installment, "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," between Sean Connery and Indiana. The adventure journey of the father and daughter duo doesn't have a complete arc, leaving the audience without a satisfying conclusion.

Considering how Phoebe's involvement in "No Time to Die" led to more humor and depth in female characters after script revisions, if her character in this film allowed Phoebe to shine, perhaps the interaction between the father and daughter would have been more interesting, and the character arcs would have had a clearer direction, rather than feeling slightly shaky and off-putting.

In each installment of Indiana Jones, the story revolves around treasure hunting and competing for artifacts. In this film, the Ark of the Covenant serves as the MacGuffin. Its ability to open portals and travel through time adds an element that leads older audiences back to the time of the first film, creating a medium for a nostalgic journey. The days of adventure are long gone, and this era no longer accommodates us. Therefore, the only option is to return to the past and immerse ourselves in the nostalgia of our own golden age.

In a way, the fatigue is evident in the fifth installment, as well as the fading glory of Dr. Jones from the past. We all hoped to see the 80-year-old Indiana Jones cracking his whip, throwing punches, and taking on the Nazis once again. However, he is unable to do so (even the villainous setup is weak and lacks resistance). This time, he finds himself in a passive position, facing crises passively, and embarking on adventures passively, ultimately traveling through time to important historical moments.

He tries to stay behind as a living fossil, but he is not a man of this era, and he cannot escape the pain of losing his son. After the adventure, he returns to his family, not as an escape from pain while waiting to die, but to heal and bridge the gap with his wife after many years. Witnessing history through time travel, he returns to the present and faces past pain with his loved ones. The original Dr. Jones officially returns in the finale.

The mentality of returning is accompanied by John Williams' love theme for Indiana and Marion, written in the first installment. The classic plot is reenacted, and memories instantly rush to mind. Although clichéd, a few tears are indeed forced out at the end. Spanning 40 years, only John Williams' music has never dropped in quality. On the contrary, it has become increasingly cherished, serving as a nostalgic elixir among the scores of today's Hollywood films. Every piece of music in the film is incredibly enjoyable.

Ending with the restoration of the couple's relationship as the final chapter of the adventure is acceptable. Although the closing scene doesn't imply a farewell, it aligns with the cowboy spirit of adventurous heroes, and the reenactment of the romantic plot from the first film is also moving. Shia LaBeouf, who portrayed the son in the fourth installment, intentionally being written out in this film, also serves as a reflection on the pain brought by the Vietnam War to ordinary American middle-class families.

In the last installment, we can't bear to criticize the aging Indiana Jones. The old soldier may wither, but the self-sacrificing performances from the previous four installments are deeply ingrained in our minds. We once again experience familiar adventurous moments, witness forgotten surreal landscapes, and what supports our adventures apart from the spirit of defeating Nazis is the belief in supernatural wonders that most people don't believe in.

The roulette spins and spins back to the past, then finally returns to the present. The familiar Spielberg flavor is present in the first 20 minutes of Nazi-fighting action, while the following 130 minutes try to imitate Spielberg's elements but also blend in the theme of aging explored in "Logan." Those adventurous moments are destined to never return, only to be savored in our memories. Let the best moments stay in the past and cherish the present, Indiana Jones.

"Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" remains the best adventure film in the series, and despite its attempt to recapture the adventurous elements of Spielberg's past in the final chapter, the fatigue of the series prevents it from reaching its peak again. Just as Indiana Jones must face aging, Spielberg missed the opportunity to direct the final film due to his busy schedule with "West Side Story," making it impossible to go back and make corrections.

The remaining value of it is to give fans of the series the opportunity to reminisce once again. As a fan, I am sincerely grateful for the chance to see him on the big screen and experiencing the atmosphere of past adventures, while listening to the music composed by John Williams. Farewell, Dr. Jones. Thank you, Harrison Ford, for your dedicated performances over the past 40 years, and thank you, John Williams, for maintaining the standard of your music for over 40 years.

★★★☆