Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destinyis here, and audiences are divisive about it. The truth is that, aside from the quality of the result and the potential future that the daredevil archeologist might have, viewers' arguments against it do not come from the new movie itself but from the comeback of yet another hero from the 80s.
It’s clear that Hollywood has been undergoing some creative fatigue for a while now, and remakes, reboots, unrequired sequels, or revivals are far too common these days. As accurate as this may be, franchises still deserve a case-to-case analysis, and Indy is an interesting one.
Harrison Ford’s return as the action hero is obviously in the context of securing the return on investment in the creative industries, but that doesn’t mean there is no novelty in it. It’s been 15 years since the infamousIndiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skulland more than 30 sinceIndiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
Ford’s talent for action is logically toned down by time’s toll, and that’s exactly where this new movie can stand for the crowd. In an industry where heroes are usually young and strong,Dial of Destinymight be a fortuitous case against ageism, and Harrison Ford is the best option to make it.
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Action Heroes and Ageism
Harrison Ford’s career is far from over. The now 80-year-old actor might have found fame from his scenes full of thrills, but he has always brought a certain character to every fantasy universe he’s starred in (even if he’s not a fan of them).Blade Runner,Indiana Jones, andStar Warsare only the most iconic franchises he has been part of, all with memorable roles that keep him famous to this day.
Curiously enough (and partly to the aforementioned creative fatigue), all of these universes had comebacks that made Ford return. The fact that bringing him back gave these sequels a certain weight (even if the result was divisive or poorly received) is a good message on age and action heroes.
Stunts are a big part of action movies, and, of course, as age goes by,stuntmen and CGI coverfor something that is actually natural and bound to happen. The genre has had a long development since the 80s, expanding the consensus on what makes a good action film.
Hunky actors with a certain arrogance and charm are still the center of them (as was Ford), and this is something that’s still hard to reimagine, but as the original ones grow old while still delivering excellent performances in action films allow viewers to rethink the concept.
Here’s where Harrison Ford becomes an even bigger icon.The soon-to-be Marvel superherowho makes a comeback as one of his most memorable characters is an important statement on how there is room for redefinition on the whole action figure concept. Even when commercial decisions are behind this, the fact that Ford is still relevant as a beloved star is a better representation of actors who grow old. While this is still a podium for elite, talented actors, the message still has its strength and should be conveyed.
The Adventurous Mature Doctor Is Still a Hero
As moviegoers flock these days to seeIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, while many will expect nothing and still come out disappointed, others, hopefully not the minority, will be happy to see Indy as an old man inone last gig. Previews and trailers have already warned audiences about him not necessarily being the center of the action and how age is actually addressed in the film.
To judge the merits ofIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, aside from the more traditional parameters of cinematography, the film should do some justice to an iconic hero. His deeds in the movie should not be exclusive to his action stunts but be mindful of his extensive set of abilities: his witty and dry humor, his collegiate approach from his archeological background, and his flawed nature. After all, Doctor Jones has committed far too many mistakes during the saga while still achieving most of his goals.
Related:Is Indiana Jones Becoming the Next James Bond-Style Character?
Again, it’s understandable whymany people are not happywithIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. There are many commercial and industrial decisions that affect this and many other reused franchises, the recurrent issue of creative fatigue, and a reactionary movie industry that prefers to play safe rather than raise the bet with new stories.
Be that as it may, in a curious turn of events, this recycled story is a good opportunity to have an open discussion about Hollywood and ageism, one that has much more strength with such a legend as Harrison Ford and an iconic saga likeIndiana Jones. If the fifth installment played its cards well, though not memorable, it might be a solid case for an important cause.
