Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny ｜Saying Goodbye To An Epic Adventure

I still remember the feeling of watching Indiana Jones for the first time.

I was 12 years old, studying at a boarding school. One day, our math teacher cancelled class and a young substitute teacher, who loved movies, brought her own VCD and played an old movie in our classroom, which had just installed a projector. The movie featured a male protagonist wearing a cowboy hat, riding horses, shooting guns, and occasionally using his whip to outsmart the villains. The two-hour movie mesmerized the entire class, and no one left even when it was time for dinner. That movie was Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

As one of Hollywood's most successful movie franchises, Indiana Jones has appealed to audiences across generations. For over 40 years since its debut in 1981, Indiana Jones has remained a rare masterpiece of action-adventure cinema, inspiring countless imitations across various media and sparking the imaginations of numerous filmmakers.

When Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was released in 2008, I thought it was the final movie in the franchise, especially considering Harrison Ford was already 65 years old at the time. So, when Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny came out in 2023, I immediately went to the theater to watch it.

After watching the movie, I was deeply touched. I realized that in today's world of advanced CG special effects, those adventure scenes that once took our breath away are no longer as impressive. With more and more superhero movies focused on saving the entire universe, Indiana Jones' adventures may seem insignificant to some. Therefore, some newer viewers may find the old-fashioned and uninspiring plot of the latest movie to be dissatisfying.

In my opinion, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny makes a sincere effort to offer a satisfying conclusion to the movie series. As all heroes must inevitably age and all dramas must ultimately come to an end, this movie maintains the rhythm and style of the previous films. It narrates the story of a hero and his companions embarking on a romantic adventure to save the world. By depicting Indiana Jones in his later years and exploring his losses and returns, the movie provides comfort and warmth to longtime fans of the original IP. Furthermore, the movie responds to current ideological trends by introducing new female characters, which presents a fresh perspective for female audiences.

Next, I would like to share some details and characteristics of Indiana Jones 5 that will continue the style of the previous films. There may be some spoilers, but if you, like me, are a fan of this series, I'm sure you're looking forward to seeing these details in the fifth movie.

"Indiana Jones 5" starts off with an energetic tone, featuring the franchise's longest opening action sequence. Dr. Jones, wearing his iconic hat, battles Nazis on a train while searching for treasure and rescuing an old friend. Set against the grand backdrop of the Normandy landings and Nazi escapes, the film seamlessly weaves together humorous parodies and villain introductions, providing a magnificent experience. This hallmark of the Indiana Jones franchise avoids lengthy background explanations, complicated emotional drama, and tedious plot transitions. From the beginning, the film ignites the audience's emotions, delivering a thrill ride reminiscent of an amusement park. Other than a brief waiting period in line, the entire experience is designed to be enjoyable.

The Indiana Jones series weaves personal adventure with major historical events, with Jones frequently fighting against Nazi or fascist forces. This lends Jones' personal journey a sense of epic grandeur. Among the many memorable plots in the series, my personal favorite is the scene in the third film where Jones confronts Hitler in Berlin in 1938 and got Hitler's signature unexpectly. "Indiana Jones 5" also features several wonderful moments of adventure, such as when Jones escapes his pursuers on horseback while passing by an anti-Vietnam War parade. Despite his advancing age, Jones charges through the crowd of young protesters as if he's traversing multiple eras and still going strong. Seeing this scene, I couldn't help but be impressed by both the agility of the over-80-year-old Harrison Ford and the sense of adventure he still embodies.

In the world of Indiana Jones, supernatural powers exist, and the audience eagerly awaits the moment when these artifacts demonstrate their super power. The blending of empirical science and the power of ghosts and gods adds a charm of classical legends to the world of Indiana Jones. Throughout the series, we encounter various artifacts with supernatural powers, from the Ark of the Covenant in the first film to the Shiva Lingam in the second film, the Holy Grail in the third film, and the crystal skull in the fourth film. The climax of Indiana Jones 5 is also related to supernatural powers. Who wouldn't be amazed when Indiana Jones travels through time and meets Archimedes?

In the first three films of the Indiana Jones series, a recurring element is the presence of a blonde female lead who accompanies Indiana Jones on his adventures. These characters often find themselves in dangerous situations, requiring Indiana's assistance to escape. The films are known for their thrilling scenes involving snakes, scorpions, rats, and worms, which often cause the female characters to scream. While these female characters may appear to be decorative, they are in fact products of gender stereotypes and represent a male perspective of the female gaze. The female characters are usually depicted as gullible or deceitful to make the male lead appear brave, wise, and composed. Moreover, they are frequently used to create romantic subplots and to highlight the male lead's altruism and righteousness.

However, there are times when the female characters become self-centered or villainous themselves.

In the fourth film, the female characters underwent some changes. The female villain, played by Cate Blanchett, became more neutral and less silly. In the fifth film, these changes became even more apparent. The traditional female lead, who used to accompany Indiana Jones on his adventures, was replaced by his goddaughter, Helena. Unlike previous female characters, Helena does not engage in any romantic relationships with Indiana Jones. She is intelligent, funny, and has a selfish side, but also has moments of bravery. In many ways, she embodies the feminine qualities of Indiana Jones himself. It is worth mentioning that Helena's hair color is not blonde, which sets her apart from previous female characters in the series.

While some viewers may argue that Helena had too many scenes in "Indiana Jones 5", making her appear more like the protagonist than Jones himself, as a female audience member, I admire her character. When she and the young boy shuttle through the streets and alleys, or when she chases after the plane on a motorcycle, I see a female version of Indiana Jones. Additionally, she takes in a street child as her sidekick and connects with the local gang leader in a foreign country. She also isn't afraid to stand up to stubborn Jones and even punches him when necessary. Unlike the female leads in previous Indiana Jones movies, Helena encounters a bunch of worms without screaming. Compared to the elderly Indiana Jones, she appears to be more decisive and powerful. In many ways, her character is a response to the demands of modern female audiences who crave strong female leads in adventure movies that have been traditionally male-dominated.

However, the biggest change in Indiana Jones 5 still comes from Jones' aging. An aging Indiana Jones is out of step with the modern era, which suggests that the series may be coming to an end. The thrilling escape from the train now feels like a distant memory. As time fast-forwards to the end of the 1960s, his family has been broken up by a big change, he can't sleep in his apartment due to noise from hippies, no one pays attention to him in class, and he even gets overshadowed by the TV news. As the world celebrates the moon landing, who cares about the ancient artifacts of a few thousand years ago, even if they are the world-renowned wonders of Archimedes?

Fortunately, Indiana Jones still has the heart of an adventurer. He answers the call when evil forces threaten, when the daughter of an old friend is in danger, or when valuable artifacts fall into enemy hands. Despite occasional bouts of fatigue and a less agile body than in his youth, Indiana relentlessly moves forward on thrilling journeys. He rides horses through the New York subway, flies through storms in airplanes, and lands in perilous situations. He's willing to risk everything to travel through time, but Helena kindly bring him back to modern society. Because when the adventure finally ends, we knows that returning home to family and love is the best option. The director gave Indiana Jones a warm ending, as he returns home to reminisce about his adventurous time with his lover and old friend.

After comparing this movie with its predecessors, it's evident that the core of the story remains the same. However, the presentation has lost some of the thrilling, terrifying, and exciting plot points. While it's understandable that the aging Jones cannot withstand dangerous adventures, it's also possible that the current cultural climate plays a role. Looking back at the trilogy of the 1980s with today's perspective, it's clear that there are many inappropriate aspects.

As a supporter of animal protectionism, it's difficult for me to enjoy the relaxed and humorous adventure atmosphere when I see domesticated elephants with iron chains around their necks in the Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. The scene where the protagonists were having dinner with the followers of the evil god, and snake and monkey brains were served as dishes, made me feel the cruelty and horror of humans, and my heart broke for the animals.

In the cultural context of the 1980s, the movie tries to use this cruelty and horror to confirm the backwardness and barbarism of exotic cultures. However, from my perspective, there is no difference between the Western professor Indiana Jones and the local ordinary people. The savage and cruel nature of human beings is not limited to any region. Indiana Jones, who acts as a justice or even a savior, also reflects the potential colonial viewpoint of Western white elites: the distance is mysterious, barbaric, and savage, and it needs the salvation and protection of the just white male protagonist.

The latest Indiana Jones movie has made changes to be more politically correct, removing exotic animals, saving distant tribes, and unrealistic female characters. While this is commendable, some viewers may feel that the movie has lost some of its surprise and excitement. Nevertheless, the movie still holds a special place in the hearts of those who grew up watching Indiana Jones. For them, the movie is more about nostalgia than plot. As a supporting character in the movie said, "I miss the desert, I miss the ocean, I miss when there was a new adventure waiting for me every day." This spirit of adventure marked a vibrant golden age that has since passed. We miss the young Indiana Jones, just as we miss the good old days and our younger selves.

Fortunately, movies help us relive memories of the past. We can still open a movie at home, travel back to the 1930s, and relive Indiana Jones' adventure. This is a beautiful experience, and we have Harrison Ford and Steven Spielberg to thank for bringing this story to a perfect conclusion after 40 years.