Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is the final Indiana Jones film…or at least, the last one that will star Harrison Ford in the title role. Speaking at the Cannes Film Festival, he seemed pretty firm about retiring the character after this. “Is it not evident?” the 80-year-old actor asked Variety. “I need to sit down and rest a little bit.”
The film’s premiere at Cannes had the feel of a sendoff, with Ford getting a movie star’s welcome and receiving a tribute award in honor of his long career. “It’s indescribable. I felt… I can’t even tell you,” said an emotional Ford. “It’s just extraordinary to see a relic of your life as it passes by. With the warmth of this place and sense of community, the welcome is unimaginable. It makes me feel good.”
We’ll also see the weight of a long life lay on Indy, who in the new film gets pulled into a new adventure involving the search for an ancient relic. (What else?) He works alongside his goddaughter Helena, played by Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge. “I wanted to see the weight of life on him,” Ford said. “I wanted to see him require reinvention. I wanted him to have a relationship that wasn’t a flirty movie relationship.”
First impressions of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny are mixed
So is the movie any good? First impressions have been mixed, although there are plenty of critics singing its praises. Games Radar calls Dial of Destiny “a highly satisfying blend of action, humor and emotion.” Over on Twitter, @theatomreview called it “an instant classic” while @ByClaytonDavis calls the film “a farewell to one of the greatest movie characters in cinema history.”
#IndianaJones Dial of Destiny REVIEW: Instant Classic! Harrison Ford’s career best. A ROUSING ADVENTURE that shows this old man still has great libido. Not just another Indy film, it’s one of the best movies ever! A fitting end to his journey, while setting up what’s next #Cannes pic.twitter.com/lGqcLi9I4E
— Atom (@theatomreview) May 18, 2023
Redemption! James Mangold redeems #IndianaJones with #DialOfDestiny. A farewell to one of the greatest movie characters in cinema history. Action, laughs, charm...just everything that makes him great. Thanks Harrison Ford (and Phoebe Waller Bridge) for the ride. #Cannes2023 pic.twitter.com/oVKKSiVCFW
— Clayton Davis (@ByClaytonDavis) May 18, 2023
But it’s not all praise, all the time. @bamfpire was a little more reserved, saying that the movie will disappoint people who want something beyond nostalgia and hinting that it sets up new adventures to come, which isn’t surprising; Hollywood can call this an “ending” all it wants, but we all know the only thing execs are interested in is eternal franchises.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is a romping fun time that covers the greatest hits and paves a potential new path for the franchise. The film will likely disappoint some with its nostalgia heavy slant. Indy’s final ride is action-packed w/ an absolutely bonkers third act. pic.twitter.com/6cYsdW6X58
— therese lacson • 宋蕾蕾 (@bamfpire) May 19, 2023
The Hollywood Reporter was also unimpressed, saying Dial of Destiny is “short on both thrills and fun.” We can see for ourselves when the film comes out in theaters on June 30, 2023.
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