A Bite at Bortell’s, No Barbie & Can Indiana Jones Really Be 80?

Movie Review: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

By Charles Chandler

I really, really like movies and the big “Summer Blockbusters” in particular. This summer we had three to choose from. Oppenheimer is behind us and now we are off to the AMC Classic 8 theater in Ludington to see my favorite action movie -- the much-anticipated Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. I will skip Barbie. I had two daughters and have done the time. As I recall one bedroom had pink wallpaper and pink trim.

Our treat for this road trip was a stop at Bortell’s Fisheries located at 5510 South Lakeshore Drive, Ludington, Michigan. This 125-year-old iconic fish joint is located between Pentwater and Ludington and a stone’s throw from Lake Michigan. In my opinion, Bortell’s has the best lightly coated fried fish and seafood in Michigan. It is take-out and cash or check only, and there’s always a line of varying length. Once you try this place, you will understand why. Standing impatiently in line, you meet good folks from all over Michigan and many seasonals who make Bortell’s a key part of their summer vacation. 

Oh Indiana, how your adoring fans have missed you! How long have we waited for you, your hat, coat, and bullwhip, plus all the nonstop action? Scoff you may but we are not a bunch of swooning “Swifties.” We are serious movie fans. For your information, People magazine just published a Special Edition with Indiana Jones on the front cover with this headline, “Harrison Ford - America’s Greatest Movie Hero.”  

Indeed, we have waited five years for this Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny movie. It is certainly a must-see movie that exceeded all MY unrealistic expectations. It reproduces the over-the-top non-stop adventure, reminding us why we fell in love with Indiana Jones in the first place. It is a retrospective of the other Indiana movies and, to our nostalgic delight, contains all the essential elements -- our charismatic lead, spellbinding storyline and nonstop action. We have all the best -- Nazis, damsels with questionable motives in distress, a street waif, intrigue, nail-biting danger, ancient artifacts with power to change time, fights on top of a moving train, chases on horseback, crazy clown cars and vintage airplanes, and vermin filled caves with all sorts of booby traps, and even a meeting with the great Archimedes himself. 

The quest for the Dial of Destiny is not just action pieces. It is also a travel log of spectacular landscapes and stunning locations. The detail in the historical periods that ranged from the 1969, 1944 WWII  and a front row seat to the siege of Syracuse by the Roman Republic in 213–212 BC.  The scene where Indiana meets Archimedes is worth the price of the tickets.

This movie lets us see more of the human side of our beloved Indiana. We get to see him worn down by work and worry and the loss of way too much. We senior fans understand and can certainly identify with “America’s Greatest Movie Hero.”  To stop gushing for a moment, Director James Mangold is good but no Steven Spielberg. This is the age of digital makeovers so the CGI is a bit clunky in this movie. However, the great composer and conductor John Williams magically pulls it altogether with his familiar themes. 

The last scene is a tad awkward and will bring a few sniffles from true Indiana Jones fans. The buzz on the street is that this is the LAST Indiana Jones movie. After all, the resilient Harrison Ford is 80. Where did it all go? Please consider heading to the theater for this great summertime blockbuster. You will be entertained.