2023: Summer of Cinema: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

I think what made this film really special was the acknowledgements of the past. It’s not acting as a spinoff or reboot but as a continuation of the archaeology professor’s story. He’s aged but is still the same old guy with a thirst for action and hunger for discovery. He can’t resist getting the hat and whip out for one last ride. As Harrison Ford is now an octogenarian, the action scenes were altered to be entertaining yet believable. We see him riding various vehicles and even a horse. The other characters pick up the action slack but he is by no means side-lined.

Hello readers,

Last week I went to see the new Indiana Jones film and I was not disappointed. It was everything you wanted from an adventure film with Harrison Ford featuring up to date casting and plot. It echoed back to the original films but still was its own thing. Phoebe Waller-Bridge made a great sidekick and female protagonist having a well-developed back story but still making way for Indie’s last hurrah.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)

This summer blockbuster kicks off with a great action sequence set in the past where we get to see a digitally altered Harrison Ford fighting the Nazis. So far, pretty standard for this character. We’re introduced to a friend of his, Baz and a scientist that won’t quit despite the war coming to a close.

We jump back into present day, 1969 with knowledge of the Archimedes Dial. Indiana is not in a good place and the hubbub surrounding Moon Day in New York is not helping. Luckily, adventure comes knocking in the form of Helena (Waller-Bridge), his old friend Baz’ daughter and also his goddaughter. With the government and Nazis on their heels they flee to Morocco.

I think what made this film really special was the acknowledgements of the past. It’s not acting as a spinoff or reboot but as a continuation of the archaeology professor’s story. He’s aged but is still the same old guy with a thirst for action and hunger for discovery. He can’t resist getting the hat and whip out for one last ride. As Harrison Ford is now an octogenarian, the action scenes were altered to be entertaining yet believable. We see him riding various vehicles and even a horse. The other characters pick up the action slack but he is by no means side-lined.

The costumes and sets were not modernised too much and look as though they could have been cobbled together in the 1980s when the original films were produced. There were a lot of great actors: Toby Jones, Mads Mikkelsen, Antonio Banderas and a mention to Ethann Isidore starring as Teddy who really held his own against Harrison and Phoebe. They make a great trio and their personalities gel well together: the grumpy retiree, the money-making historian and the caring yet troublesome wannabe pilot.

The story does take some leaps into the unknown but in typical Indiana fashion, you find yourself rolling with it and taking it all in your stride. I think the plot flowed nicely with enough action to keep younger viewers satisfied and familiar faces for those who are fans of the first films. There was a lot of emotion tied to the film as it is Harrison’s last outing as the character. Paired with Han Solo’s death in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, his career is now coming to a close which feels sad. However, it’s not over yet as season 2 of Shrinking has been announced in which Harrison stars as fellow therapist and begrudging friend of Jason Segel and Jessica Williams.

I enjoyed this film immensely and while some may see if as dredging up the past for a cheque, I think this film perfectly fits in the pentalogy and is just as fun as the original ones with more up to date attitudes. Harrison gave a great performance and graciously shared the stage with Phoebe and Ethann. Everyone involved can be very proud in making a great ending to a much loved adventure and not just another sequel (or fourquel in this case). I give this film 5/5.

Happy Watching,
Robyn

My Weekly Recommendations

Hello readers,

Even though this is only the second post on this blog, I feel like I am getting more into writing this. I had a small break from the blog before it really even got started due to starting university but now I am back.

So let’s get to the point: the films I have watched this week.

Cinema:

I now volunteer at the independent cinema where I now live so I get to watch new films every week and this week was Blade Runner 2049. I actually saw this last month for my birthday and I was not too impressed. This time around I actually consciously chose to have a nap in the middle of the film and I find it extremely hard to fall asleep watching any movie let alone a noisy one like this but somehow I did. The film is not bad but it is not the type of film I would watch again (like I did). I felt the marketing by Sony was too hyped up. I went in expecting an action packed Ryan Gosling/ Harrison Ford duo movie with sci-fi and amazing special effects. I was disappointed.

From a film student, point of view (which is also me) the film was visually stunning, the scenery of the desert and post-apocalyptic world was really amazing and the colours and lighting in every shot was clearly well thought out but I felt the script and lack of action was what let Blade Runner 2049 down. Granted I had not seen the original Blade Runner (1982) so I wasn’t as invested in the characters as some people but I felt this reboot was not the film for me. A lot of others did enjoy it like The Guardian gave it 5 stars, but I do not. It’s okay for me to have my own opinion and I still bought a ticket and contributed to their box office gross. Overall I rate this film 3/5.

DVD:

I bought the film Eat Pray Love (2010) on DVD from a charity shop and this week I decided to watch it. It is based on a book by Elizabeth Gilbert that was a New York Times bestseller that I read last year and absolutely loved. The book is about  woman who divorces her husband and then goes on a year long trip to Italy, India and Indonesia. The book is also about God as she starts praying and in India she goes to an ashram – a place of prayer that was set up by her guru. The book really spoke to me so I went in with high expectations and I was not disappointed. This film may sell itself as a rom-com but to me is about finding out who you want to be in life and what your goals should be. The author Liz is played by Julia Roberts who does an excellent job at portraying all of Liz’s emotions and feelings with using few words and her face. Other cast members include James Franco, looking very young playing her lover David, Billy Crudup, her husband and Viola Davis, Liz’s friend in New York where she lives. The story was adapted in the film but Liz Gilbert worked closely with the producers and oversaw all changes made. Some things were added that actually happened but were not mentioned in the book. The film is long over 2 hours but it is worth it to get the full story. The only negative is I felt the film did not go into enough did about Liz’s time in Indonesia. Overall I rate this film 4/5.

Amazon Prime:

I watched Office Christmas Party on Amazon Prime. I know it’s a bit too early for Christmas but this film features some of my favourite comedy actors and actresses like Jason Bateman, Jennifer Aniston, Kate McKinnon and Rob Corddry. The film is about a technology company run by a relaxed boss who has taken over from his dad. The office branch is about to be closed by his workaholic sister (Aniston) so the office throws an epic Christmas party to close a client. Chaos ensues. I liked the fun nature of this film and the great one lines from some of the funniest comedic actors in Hollywood. The cast gelled well and set for the party was massive and very detailed. It also has drama and romance and an epic car chase at the end. For a funny Christmas movie, it actually had a plot that made sense. I also watched it because I saw the trailer when it was being marketed last Christmas and thought it looked like a good film to watch. Definitely one to watch if you love comedy and Christmas and don’t mind occasional American cheesiness. Overall I rate this film 5/5.

So these are my 3 recommendations for this week. Some weeks I may watch more films than this but this week I had some big assignments due so I watched more TV instead.

Happy watching,

Robyn