It is intellectually dishonest to react to the film for a version you SUSPECT exists. Do you even listen to yourself? Part of your dissatisfaction with the movie is for something you only think might have possibly existed. That's absolutely ridiculous.
The conspiracy that there was some major and drastic change to the plot made AFTER principle photography is just that: a conspiracy. Find the evidence (which isn't a 4Chan post about how Helena goes back in time and replaces Indy, by the way). Mangold has said there were no significant reshoots. Karen Allen has said the final ending is more or less in line with the original shooting script she received.
But the only thing people have to go on is a comment by John Williams about having to rescore part of the ending. So what? They likely DID do some minor reshoots of the ending to create better clarity -- it happens ALL THE TIME -- and that very likely would have required adjustment to score to align it.
The instant Waller-Bridge was cast, a certain subsect of the fandom decided to lose their minds and decide the "agenda" was to replace Indiana Jones. And when that didn't happen, they can't seem to handle it, so now it must be a reshoot conspiracy.
JFC, you lost all credibility when you admitted that you're reacting to something you have no proof is real.
Except you leave out one very important point,
....the fans have been burned before.
...and not just once.
So, I can understand people being cautious with their time and money from a known franchise killer.
Nowadays, before people spend/waste their time and money on something, they want to know it isn't going to be woke poop. People who love woke crap, love suckering others into woke crap and then act like it is a big joke or you aren't a fan for not bobble-head enjoying said crap.
I saw the movie because I promised someone I would see it with them, and I liked it. I gave it a good review earlier in this thread. Lots of people were trashing Helena, but I mentioned how whe became a better person as the movie progressed and it seems to have softened some opinions.
But what were Helena's choices to drive the story? Damsel in distress or somewhat proficient help.
Was Indy deconstructed?
Did he turn down the hat and whip?
Thankfully, he didn't toss his signature items away like Luke did with his lightsaber. Indy talked to Helena about not being so selfish vs Luke tickling Rey with a branch and asking, "can you feel it?"
I kinda wonder what people were expecting. Indy partying with kids, chugging from a keg while the kids chant, "chug...chug...chug!" Three girls hanging off him as he high-fives his way to a bedroom?
Or Indy tripping on LSD. "Wow! Indy is so cool now!" Queue a cartoonish, drug-trip scene where Indy talks to a fertility idol about having the munchies.
or better yet, Indy in a retirement home, in a wheelchair, crapping himself, getting kicked out of other people's rooms, while he repeats stock answers, because he suffers from dementia.
I think they did a good job with an 80 year-old action hero. Not GREAT, but good enough that I would recommend it.
Look at the Dungeons and Dragons movie, the creators of the film even talked about wimping down male characters, but watch the movie and it didn't really happen. Yeah, no matter what you say, the paladin was the best fighter in the movie.
