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Hello Cinephiles,
Today we’re talking about the 2023 film Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
Story
Like every other movie in this series, it feels like they come up with set pieces and added story as they went along. “I don’t know, I’m making this up as I go.”
That being said the plot in this one is, despite time travel, way more coherent than some of the others.
Score: 0.5
Characters
Instead of the confident, mellow, Indiana from the last movie, we have the Indiana who’s given up. Apparently, the screen writers liked Mutt less than I did and killed him off between movies to give Indiana more motivation. Once he stopped moping, he went back to his quippy roots.
I was glad the leading lady wasn’t a love interest and that makes this movie unique in the series as he doesn’t have a love interest that follows him through.
As for his niece, she bordered between fun and frustrating. The kid was awesome though, and it was nice to see Salah again.
The biggest frustration was offhanded way they kept killing people. I hate it when a story introduces someone interesting and then kills them off because they’re inconvenient.
Score: 0.5
Dialogue
This movie had much improved banter and dialogue. The archeology-babble was about the same but the conversations and jokes were great.
Score: 1
Visuals and Music
This was shot differently then the others and it worked really well. The camera work, effects, and colour palette was really good. I did find the “age reduced” Harrison Ford a little weird looking, and it was discordant to have the older voice coming from the younger character. Seeing as those effects look weird now, I can’t imagine they’ll age well.
The music was great as usual.
Score: 0.5
Fun
The movie straddled the line between nostalgia and new content and did a good job. The whole family enjoyed it. I feel like any Indiana film with Salah in it is awesome.
Score: 1
Overall
One of the better Indiana Jones films, and that means you’re in for lots of action, lots of adventure, and more than your fair share of quippy dialogue. It’s slowed down by experimental special effects, a depressing storyline, and more character deaths than were needed.
Final Score: 3.5 Stars out of 5