Image via Lucasfilm
According to current box office projections, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is not expected to perform exceptionally well this weekend. However, there are many people who feel that the conclusion of the iconic adventurer’s fifth and final adventure went too far.
It’s understandable why some may think that way, but it disregards the supernatural events and other extraordinary occurrences that Harrison Ford’s character has faced in the previous four movies. From face-melting MacGuffins to voodoo shenanigans, ancient knights, and even extraterrestrial encounters, Indy has dealt with it all.
In an interview with Variety, director James Mangold openly acknowledged the inclusion of time travel in Dial of Destiny and defended the decision. He stated that straying away from the predictable cat-and-mouse chase and delivering an audacious turn was in line with the spirit of these movies, which have always pushed the boundaries of belief with their fantastical elements.
“I couldn’t find a way to wrap my head around going back to the past and stopping Mads from doing his nefarious deeds to continue the Third Reich. It lacked wonder and was going to turn into kind of a cat and mouse thing. I felt like we’d be better off if that’s what people are anticipating, but that we really pull the tablecloth out from under the dishes at the last minute. You’re going to have to see the power. He’s suddenly in the midst of it. I also thought it presented us with a kind of audacious turn which I thought was a staple of these movies. It’s no more of a wild swing in my mind than ghouls flying out of a box and melting people’s heads through the sheer power of dark angels, or a 700-year-old knight existing in a cave for perpetuity. These are all beyond the scope of all physical belief.”
The filmmaker’s argument is valid, but the over-the-top finale of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is hindered by the excessive use of questionable CGI, which has plagued many modern blockbusters. Whether you love it or hate it, Indy has experienced it all and then some.
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