As unlikely as it might seem, an 80-year-old Harrison Ford picks up his bullwhip one last time this week, for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, the long awaited fifth instalment of the franchise that began 42 years ago.
While the early reviews weren’t great, they have improved of late. Plus, the list of critically panned movies that turned out super popular is long and distinguished (Star Wars, The Godfather Part II, 2001: A Space Odyssey to name but three that were slaughtered but actually went on to Academy Award acclaim). Not that we’re saying this one is going to trouble the Oscars of course—unless Indy steals one like it’s the Chachapoyan Fertility Idol from the beginning of Raiders of the Lost Ark—but we’re sure it’ll be the type of all-action display you need from the cinema right now. Here’s what you should know:
The storyline: Get ready for some time travel
Indy is sent to retrieve a legendary dial that can change the course of history (naturally). With his goddaughter, Helena, in tow, he’s soon battling the Germans (as usual), up against Jürgen Voller, a former Nazi who now works for NASA. Time travel will be involved, and de-aging tech allows Ford to play the archeologist in both 1944 and then 1969—where the story picks up— during the Space Race between the US and the Soviet Union.
The cast: New friends (and some old favourites)
Phoebe Waller-Bridge plays Indy’s goddaughter, Helena Shaw, while Mads Mikkelsen fronts up as the Nazi scientist Jürgen Voller. Toby Jones plays Basil Shaw, an old friend of Indys obsessed by the dial of destiny, while Antonio Banderas comes in for the unconventional ally role, typically played so well by John Rhys-Davies as Sallah (who’s in the fifth instalment, too).
The big news: Steven Spielberg isn’t at the helm
It’s the first time in the entire franchise that the main man isn’t at the pointed end. He was initially attached to direct, but dropped out in 2020, when Logan and Ford v Ferrari director James Mangold was brought in. Spielberg has, however, remained on the project as a producer, alongside Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, franchise producer Frank Marshall, and Solo and Rogue One producer Simon Emanuel.
The unexpected bit: Harrison Ford got all emotional at the premiere
“I’m very touched. I’m very moved by this. They say when you’re about to die you see your life flash before your eyes, and I just saw my life flash before my eyes. A great part of my life, but not all of my life,” he said, in reference to clips played ahead of the movie. “My life has been enabled by my lovely wife [Calista Flockhart], who has supported my passions and my dreams. I’m grateful. Thank you. And, you know, I love you, [the audience], too. Thank you. You’ve given my life purpose and meaning, and I’m grateful for that.”
The release dates: You can watch it in the Middle East this week
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny premieres across the region this week, released in Saudi Arabia and Qatar on June 28, and coming to the UAE two days later on June 30. Check your local cinema for details.