By CHIN JIAN WEI

The inimitable Harrison Ford returns to the big screen one more time to play one of his most famous characters, the adventurer archaeologist Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, directed by James Mangold. This writer was pleased to find that the fifth and latest instalment of the Indiana Jones franchise successfully captures the essence of what made the original movies so beloved.

Set mainly in 1969 amidst the sensation of the moon landings, a retired Indiana Jones is called to action once again once friends and foes from his past resurface, threatening to undo everything he’s worked for throughout his career. Ford is joined by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Ethann Isidore, playing his reluctant adventuring companions Helena Shaw and Teddy respectively. Opposing our heroes are a group of Nazis, led by the villainous Jurgen Voller, who is played by the always excellent Mads Mikkelsen.

Jones and company must find the Antikythera machine, an ancient device with tremendous powers, before the Nazis can use it to enact their nefarious plan. However, can Jones really trust his companions?

This movie nails the globe-trotting, swashbuckling aspects that characterised the earlier movies. Jones and the gang travel all around the world, from America to Morocco to Italy. The action sequences in this movie are as inventive as ever, with a chase sequence on horseback through a street parade and subway system standing out as particularly entertaining. It’s safe to say you can put away any reservations you might have about Ford’s age affecting the action scenes.

The performances are all delivered well, with Ford bringing his trademark gruff charm to the character again. Mikkelsen’s Voller is slick and charming on the outside, but one can feel his dangerous arrogance and fanaticism bubbling just under the surface. Waller-Bridge’s Shaw is energetic and unpredictable, providing the energy to contrast with Jones’ weary stoicism. The pacing is well-balanced and the CGI is relatively good, although, in certain scenes where Ford is digitally altered to look younger, the effect is not completely perfect.

The movie definitely feels like a trip down memory lane. The Nazi villains also create a nice symmetry with Nazis also being the villains Indy went up against in the first movie: Raiders of the Lost Ark. Besides, they’re Nazis! Everyone loves to see them getting their butt kicked. The music is classic Indiana Jones as well, using the old score created by the legendary John Williams in the 1980s. These retro elements, combined with the classic treasure hunt narrative, make the movie feel different from many other works in the contemporary film industry. Whether or not that is a good thing is highly subjective depending on the viewer, but this writer appreciated how the movie chose to honour its roots rather than chase trends.

While the movie is unabashedly all about delivering a fun time to the audience, that is not to say it is wholly without any depth. Jones muses about his place in a rapidly changing world. His lecture on archaeology is interrupted by a broadcast on the moon landings. This may be read as a meta-narrative on Ford and the Indiana Jones franchise’s places in today’s cinematic landscape. Both Jones and the villain, Voller, are in many ways, still bound to their pasts, and filled with many profound regrets. The difference between the two of them is how they approach these regrets.

Overall, the verdict is that this is definitely a movie you should not miss if you are a fan of the Indiana Jones franchise, or enjoy globe-trotting adventure movies. While it may lack some of the sophistication of contemporary blockbuster movies, it is still pure, classic big-screen entertainment, and should be celebrated for what it achieves.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is in cinemas starting on June 29, 2023.

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