If Harrison Ford and Lucasfilm are to be believed, this fifth film in the series is the last—if so, the story ends on a high note.
Though the main story is set in 1969, it opens in the waning days of World War II in a thrilling set piece that sets up this installment’s adventure. (This sequence features the well publicized CGI/AI de-aging of Ford—and, to my eyes, it was seamless and amazing. I always felt a weakness of Crystal Skull was its dependence on somewhat obvious CGI. Here it feels more visceral and grounded.) Indeed, the opening sequence is almost too much of a good thing—like all the setpieces in the film, it runs a little long. While the film is essentially one extended chase after another, but the ride is organic and fun.
For a partner, Indy connects with his adult goddaughter, Helena, a sassy grifter played by the coltish and cheeky Phoebe Waller-Bridge, whose character is initially is only motivated by self-interest and uses her archeological background and knowledge for personal profit. They’re joined by a capable waif named Teddy who is Helena’s companion (well played by French teen actor Ethann Isidore).
For a partner, Indy connects with his adult goddaughter, Helena, a sassy grifter played by the coltish and cheeky Phoebe Waller-Bridge, whose character is initially is only motivated by self-interest and uses her archeological background and knowledge for personal profit. They’re joined by a capable waif named Teddy who is Helena’s companion (well played by French teen actor Ethann Isidore).
The film also returns to the well again by making Nazis the movie’s villains, led by a very strong Mads Mikkelsen as Dr. Voller, a NASA scientist who we first meet as a Nazi true believer in the opening sequence. In truth, even moreso than in the other Indiana Jones films, Voller and his Nazi henchman are almost beside the point in the film, especially as their own hubris ultimately is the cause of their own downfall. Their role is really to get Indy to the end of the film where faces a stark choice related to his mortality.
Ultimately, the film sticks its landing, concluding in a touching and heartfelt way. In a climactic moment, Indiana Jones is given the opportunity to end his life and career in a definitive way, on his own terms. It says much about the film (and the fact that this was Ford’s last appearance as the character) that, in the moment, it felt like there was a real possibility the film might indeed end with the character's demise. But the film pulls Indy back from the abyss in a clever twist, allowing for an emotional farewell to the audience for Indy and the series.
All in all, a fun and satisfying ride and ending to one of the great action franchises.
Ultimately, the film sticks its landing, concluding in a touching and heartfelt way. In a climactic moment, Indiana Jones is given the opportunity to end his life and career in a definitive way, on his own terms. It says much about the film (and the fact that this was Ford’s last appearance as the character) that, in the moment, it felt like there was a real possibility the film might indeed end with the character's demise. But the film pulls Indy back from the abyss in a clever twist, allowing for an emotional farewell to the audience for Indy and the series.
All in all, a fun and satisfying ride and ending to one of the great action franchises.
On social media, I posted the photo below, joking they may have gone a little too far in de-aging Indiana Jones—it's actually a photo of my son dressed up for Halloween in 2014. He also wore the costume at Comic-Con in 2015, also seen below.
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