Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) - UK Premiere
Fifteen years after The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008), Indiana “Indy” Jones is back for his last adventure on the big screen. Joined by familiar faces – Karen Allen and John Rhys-Davies – and new ones – Mads Mikkelsen, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, Tobey Jones, and others, Harrison Ford returns in James Mangold’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. In a new era of his life, the age of retirement, Indy feels that the world is now unfamiliar. But just as he leans into retirement, an old foe from his past returns and reels him into a thrilling adventure. Along with his god daughter, Indy cracks out his whip one last time to keep an ancient, and powerful, artifact out of the wrong hands.
Produced by Kathleen Kennedy and husband Frank Marshall, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny took a turn from the previous four films and was directed by James Mangold instead of original director Steven Spielberg. Still based on the original storyline by George Lucas, Mangold finds his own approach to the franchise with help of new writers and crew and brings a powerful story together for Indy’s final adventure – a brilliant farewell to Harrison.
Just before its UK release on the 28th of June, the cast of The Dial of Destiny were joined by fans, crew, and guests to premiere the film in London, England at Cineworld Leicester Square. Thanks to Lucasfilm, I was able to attend the red carpet of the film as a fan and attend the screening of the film itself on the IMAX screen in the cinema. Joining me at the premiere was my father and being able to get him onto the carpet and to the screening of his childhood franchise, and one we watched together when I was younger was a once in a lifetime experience for the two of us.
The cast and crew came to the fan pens along the carpet, chatted with us, took photos, and even signed some autographs. We had the pleasure of talking to Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, James Mangold, John Rhys-Davies, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Harrison Ford himself, and even UK Eurovision contestant Sam Ryder stopped over for a chat (just shortly before having a massive fan moment when he got his picture with Harrison Ford). I think the proudest moment I had was when we got Harrison Ford’s autograph in my dad’s Indiana Jones hat which he has had since he was twelve years old.
After the carpet cleared out, we were led into the IMAX screen. Our first IMAX viewing, and we were seated in the front row. Possibly not the best spot for an IMAX screen, however it still ended up being okay for seeing the film. Before the film started, cast and crew came out to introduce the film to the audience and say a few words before leaving the stage being led out with the audiences singing of the Indiana Jones theme.
Perhaps the strongest part of the film was the first third. The audience is introduced with a sequence of scenes set in Indy’s past to help introduce characters and the plot of the film. We are introduced to our antagonist, Mads Mikkelsen, as well as the father of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Helena, Tobey Jones. Key details are given during the opening of the film, as well as CGI was used to de-age a few characters to help with the difference in decades of the film’s settings. Moving forward to the time period of the film, set in the 60s, Indy’s final adventure begins.
The first two thirds of the film worked wonders. Including familiar faces, perfectly timed cracks at old quotes, sentimental moments, great comedy, and even a brilliant use of Indy’s fear of snakes. It was only towards the end of the film I began to find the pace slowed, as well as the use of a specific trope was used that I am not fond. However, even though the ending felt rushed and that it wrapped too quickly, the film ended in a way that finished Indy’s adventures.
The perfect summer family film. Make sure you catch Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny in cinemas this summer with the whole family. The movies were made for the big screen. And, like Harrison said while presenting the film to the audience, it is a big screen indeed.
Find my Letterboxd review here
Credits to LucasFilm for the photo.
