For movie goers of a certain age, Indiana Jones remains an iconic movie experience but following the disappointing “Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”, will anyone want to see our movie hero get old?

Harrison Ford returns as “Indy” in his fifth adventure and does what he does best, seek ancient artefacts and fight Nazi’s. Indy is searching for the usual movie “MacGuffin” with academic friend “Basil Shaw” (Toby Jones), as Nazis loot precious antiquities during latter stages of WWII.

Movie magic has de-aged Ford in the early scenes to look like his younger self, one of the best examples of this new technology, indicating what will be possible in the near future.

In an extended and exciting prologue, involving an unexploded bomb, train rooftop fights and anti-aircraft guns running amok, we meet Indy’s new (also de-aged) nemesis “Dr Voller” (Mads Mikkelsen), the film then takes breath and slows the pace down, right down.

Did we expect to see “old” Indy slumped exhausted in his chair, with drink in hand and old socks hanging from the line? Probably not but the movie is about a man out of his time, in every sense, art echoing real life as Ford hits 81 years old.

Indy is joined in this latest adventure by his god-daughter “Helena” (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) the daughter of Basil, also searching for the same artefact but for monetary reasons.

The action moves to the 1960’s and hops from a parade celebrating returning Apollo astronauts in New York to Tangier, Sicily and Athens. The pair are later joined by a younger sidekick “Helena” has adopted, “Teddy” (Ethann Isidore), who handles the required stealing and youthful escapades.

The film plays homage to previous adventures, on occasion seemingly ticking boxes, large insects, caves, car (Tuk-Tuk) chases, tombs and animated travel maps, check. The action is well staged, albeit frenetic and not always easy to follow with CGI inevitably enhancing the practical stunts.

The first Indy film not to be directed by Stephen Spielberg, with James Mangold taking the reins, overall doing a decent job of keeping the action moving, while acknowledging Indy’s age by adding touches of melancholy amongst the mayhem.

“Time” plays a large part in the plot and the final sequence stretches audience credibility. However, after a few wobbles the film sticks the landing, providing Indy a suitable and emotional send off, if the famous fedora and whip are truly retired.

Ford could do this stuff in his sleep but chooses not to here, with real gravitas invested in every scene, it’s clear he loves playing this character. He remains Indy, with every look and action, despite his advancing age.

Waller-Bridge is fun, joining a massive project and fights her corner well, spunky, engaging and punches her way into the big league, with hints of her “Fleabag” persona thrown in for good measure.

Mikkelson chews the scenery as and when required and Toby Jones steals all the scenes he is in. Isidore is solid in a thankless role and fan favourite John Rhys-Davies gets a brief look in but has little to add to the story other than nostalgia.

Summary

Despite initial misgivings, the film is great fun and does what any Indy adventure should, entertain the audience.

No-one does this better than Ford and again proves why audiences have loved this character for 40 plus years. If you are an Indy fan, go see it.