History YMMV / IndianaJonesAndTheKingdomOfTheCrystalSkull

* ContestedSequel: Some people say it is total crap, others say it was fun but not up to ''Indiana Jones'' standards, some liked the acting and characters but not the writing, some liked it all except for the GainaxEnding. Creator/ShiaLaBeouf blames himself and his monkey-swinging Tarzan act, and then there are those that hold it as being better than ''Temple of Doom'' for having less MoodWhiplash and ValuesDissonance issues but not up to the standards of the "Nazi" movies. With the release of ''Film/IndianaJonesAndTheDialOfDestiny'', ''Crystal Skull'''s defenders argued that this movie allowed the ''Indiana Jones'' series to end on a happy note, with Indy and Marion marrying, while the later film turned to a HappyEndingOverride with [[spoiler:Mutt's offscreen death driving Indy and Marion apart again]].
* CriticalDissonance: Critics generally enjoyed it, while fans seem to loathe it. On Rotten Tomatoes, the audience score is lower than the critics score.

* ContestedSequel: Some people say it is total crap, others say it was fun but not up to ''Indiana Jones'' standards, some liked the acting and characters but not the writing, some liked it all except for the GainaxEnding. Creator/ShiaLaBeouf blames himself and his monkey-swinging Tarzan act, and then there are those that hold it as being better than ''Temple of Doom'' for having less MoodWhiplash and ValuesDissonance issues but not up to the standards of the "Nazi" movies. With the release of ''Film/IndianaJonesAndTheDialOfDestiny'', ''Crystal Skull'''s defenders argued that this movie allowed the ''Indiana Jones'' series to end on a happy note, with Indy and Marion marrying, while the later film turned to a HappyEndingOverride with [[spoiler:Mutt's offscreen death driving Indy and Marion apart again]] (especially since the ''Franchise/StarWars'' Sequel Trilogy was also criticized for overriding the happy ending of its Original Trilogy).

* WTHCastingAgency: Creator/ShiaLaBeouf's casting as Mutt wasn't well-received, as he hadn't exactly made a great name for himself among audiences in regards to his abilities or capability to be an ActionHero. The fact Mutt turned out to be Indy's son didn't help matters either.

** Indy is defended by a General Ross against accusations of being a Soviet collaborator. Creator/HarrisonFord would later be chosen as the recast General Thunderbolt Ross for the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse following the passing of Creator/WilliamHurt.

* VindicatedByHistory: When it was first released, ''Kingdom of the Crystal Skull'' was reviled by many audiences for its deviation from the classic Indiana Jones trilogy, with its introduction of aliens and the infamous "Nuke the Fridge" scene singled out as being especially egregious. Over time however, the film has seen its reception improve substantially, and is now regarded by many as one of the highlights of the series. This is due in part to the higher understanding of the film's stylistic choices as homage to classic '50s Sci-Fi genre films. Such elements, once seen as disrespectful to the original trilogy, are now understood as being intentional especially since ''Temple of Doom'' was also deviating from the other movies in terms of tone, plot and claustrophobic location. Complaints about the overuse of CGI have also been nullified as this is a common practice in modern day films pointing out the hypocrisy. People have also begun to appreciate the elements of the film that were positive in the first place, such as the reunion of the cast and crew of the original trilogy, notably Marion as well as Indy's growth and development with his newfound family. ''Kingdom of the Crystal Skull'' has truly become better received with times and is now seen by many as an [[SoOkayItsAverage entertaining entry]] in the franchise.

* VindicatedByHistory: When it was first released, ''Kingdom of the Crystal Skull'' was reviled by many audiences for its deviation from the classic Indiana Jones trilogy, with its introduction of aliens and the infamous "Nuke the Fridge" scene singled out as being especially egregious. Over time however, the film has seen its reception improve substantially, and is now regarded by many as one of the highlights of the series. This is due in part to the higher understanding of the film's stylistic choices as homage to classic '50s Sci-Fi genre films. Such elements, once seen as disrespectful to the original trilogy, are now understood as being intentional especially since ''Temple of Doom'' was also deviating from the other movies in terms of tone, plot and claustrophobic location. Complaints about the overuse of CGI have also been nullified as this is a common practice in modern day films pointing out the hypocrisy. People have also begun to appreciate the elements of the film that were positive in the first place, such as the reunion of the cast and crew of the original trilogy, notably Marion as well as Indy's growth and development with his newfound family. ''Kingdom of the Crystal Skull'' has truly become better received with times and is now seen by many as an [[SoOkItsAverage entertaining entry]] in the franchise.

* VindicatedByHistory: When it was first released, ''Kingdom of the Crystal Skull'' was reviled by many audiences for its deviation from the classic Indiana Jones trilogy, with its introduction of aliens and the infamous "Nuke the Fridge" scene singled out as being especially egregious. Over time however, the film has seen its reception improve substantially, and is now regarded by many as one of the highlights of the series. This is due in part to the higher understanding of the film's stylistic choices as homage to classic '50s Sci-Fi genre films. Such elements, once seen as disrespectful to the original trilogy, are now understood as being intentional especially since ''Temple of Doom'' was also deviating from the other movies in terms of tone, plot and claustrophobic location. Complaints about the overuse of CGI have also been nullified as this is a common practice in modern day films pointing out the hypocrisy. People have also begun to appreciate the elements of the film that were positive in the first place, such as the reunion of the cast and crew of the original trilogy, notably Marion as well as Indy's growth and development with his newfound family. ''Kingdom of the Crystal Skull'' has truly become better received with times and is now seen by many as an entertaining entry in the franchise.

* ContestedSequel: Some people say it is total crap, others say it was fun but not up to ''Indiana Jones'' standards, some liked the acting and characters but not the writing, some liked it all except for the GainaxEnding. Creator/ShiaLaBeouf blames himself and his monkey-swinging Tarzan act, and then there are those that hold it as being better than ''Temple of Doom'' for having less MoodWhiplash and ValuesDissonance issues but not up to the standards of the "Nazi" movies.

* EnsembleDarkhorse:

* VindicatedByHistory: When it was first released, ''Kingdom of the Crystal Skull'' was reviled by many audiences for its deviation from the classic Indiana Jones trilogy, with its introduction of aliens and the infamous "Nuke the Fridge" scene singled out as being especially egregious. Over time however, the film has seen its reception improve substantially, and is now regarded by many as one of the highlights of the series. This is due in part to the higher understanding of the film's stylistic choices as homage to classic' 50s Sci-Fi genre films. Such elements, once seen as disrespectful to the original trilogy, are now understood as being intentional especially since ''Temple of Doom'' was also deviating from the other movies in terms of tone, plot and claustrophobic location. Complaints about the overuse of CGI have also been nullified as this is a common practice in modern day films pointing out the hypocrisy. People have also begun to appreciate the elements of the film that were positive in the first place, such as the reunion of the cast and crew of the original trilogy, notably Marion as well as Indy's growth and development with his newfound family. ''Kingdom of the Crystal Skull'' has truly become better received with times and is now seen by many as an entertaining entry in the franchise.

* ContestedSequel: Some people say it is total crap, others say it was fun but not up to ''Indiana Jones'' standards, some liked the acting and characters but not the writing, some liked it all except for the GainaxEnding. Creator/ShiaLaBeouf blames himself and his monkey-swinging Tarzan act, and then there are those that hold it as being better than ''Temple of Doom'' for having less MoodWhiplash issues but not up to the standards of the "Nazi" movies.

* VindicatedByHistory: When it was first released, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was reviled by many audiences for its deviation from the classic Indiana Jones trilogy, with its introduction of aliens and the infamous "Nuke the Fridge" scene singled out as being especially egregious. Over time however, the film has seen its reception improve substantially, and is now regarded by many as one of the highlights of the series. This is due in part to the higher understanding of the film's stylistic choices as homage to classic 50s Sci-Fi genre films. Such elements, once seen as disrespectful to the original trilogy, are now understood as being intentional especially since Temple of Doom was also deviating from the other movies in terms of tone, plot and claustrophobic location. Complaints about the overuse of CGI have also been nullified as this is a common practice in modern day films pointing out the hypocrisy. People have also begun to appreciate the elements of the film that were positive in the first place, such as the reunion of the cast and crew of the original trilogy, notably Marion as well as Indy's growth and development with his newfound family. Kingdom of the Crystal Skull has truly become better received with times and is now seen by many as an entertaining entry in the franchise.

** A far less bitter take is to pretend that Indy and Marion's wedding is the only thing that truly happens, while everything prior is Mutt [[ImagineSpot imagining]] a silly adventure about ancient aliens during the ceremony.

** A less bitter take is to pretend that Indy and Marion's wedding is the only true thing that happened, while everything prior is Mutt [[ImagineSpot imagining]] a silly adventure about ancient aliens during the ceremony.

** A less bitter take is to pretend that Indy and Marion's wedding is the only true thing that happened, while everything prior is Mutt imagining a silly adventure about ancient aliens during the ceremony.

* DelusionConclusion: Owing to the contentious reputation of the film, a common theory is that the adventure is just Indy's DyingDream after the infamous 'nuking the fridge' scene.

* ContestedSequel: Some people say it is total crap, others say it was fun but not up to ''Indiana Jones'' standards, some liked the acting and characters but not the writing, some liked it all except for the GainaxEnding. Creator/ShiaLaBeouf blames himself and his monkey-swinging Tarzan act, and then there are those that hold it as being better than ''Temple of Doom'' but not up to the standards of the "Nazi" movies.

** At one point, Mutt makes a crack about Indy's advancing age, snidely asking ''"What are you, like, 80?"'' (Creator/HarrisonFord was actually 65 at the time). The fifth ''Indiana Jones'' film is slated to be released in June 2023--when Ford ''will'' be 80.

* HarsherInHindsight: For all Mutt's unpopularity with the fandom, his presence at least brought his parents, the most popular pairing in the franchise, back together. ''Film/IndianaJonesAndTheDialOfDestiny'', taking place 12 years after this film, reveals [[spoiler: Mutt's death in Vietnam caused his parents to split up.]]

* StrawmanHasAPoint: Two government agents angrily interrogate Indy after Russian spies kidnap him and an old partner of his, murder several American soldiers at a top secret test facility and make off with an alien corpse. This doesn't seem that unnecessary, considering what just happened and that Indy's old partner was working with the Russians (the movie is set during the Cold War).

* ContestedSequel: Some people say it is total crap, others say it was fun but not up to ''Indiana Jones'' standards, some liked the acting and characters but not the writing, some liked it all except for the GainaxEnding, Creator/ShiaLaBeouf blames himself and his monkey-swinging Tarzan act, and then there are those that hold it as being better than ''Temple of Doom'' but not up to the standards of the "Nazi" movies.

* VindicatedByHistory: While this film as well as ''Temple of Doom'' are still regarded as the weakest entries in the series, time has shed most of the negative reception and reputation it once carried. Many elements once derided or seen as disrespectful to the original trilogy, such as the presence of aliens, have now been understood as an intentional homage to classic 50s Sci-Fi genre films[[note]]Although detractors can be aware of this while still maintaining that 1950's sci-fi has been mocked and parodied to death since its heyday and that the genre doesn't lend itself well to any straight-faced homage[[/note]], following in the footsteps of the trilogy which were homages to classic adventure pulp films. Meanwhile, other complaints, such as the overuse of CGI, are simply no longer seen as critically damaging to the film's quality as was originally assumed. Even the infamous "Nuke the Fridge" scene, while still an egregious example, has lessened as Indy surviving impossible scenarios and emerging unscathed is more or less commonplace for him. This is not even considering the genuine positives the film has to offer such as the reunion of the cast and crew of much of the ''Indiana Jones'' trilogy, most of all Marion. In general, the film is not without its issues, but it has come a long way from the "ruined my childhood" reputation it once had.

* VindicatedByHistory: While this film as well as ''Temple of Doom'' are still regarded as the weakest entries in the series, time has shed most of the negative reception and reputation it once carried. Many elements once derided or seen as disrespectful to the original trilogy, such as the presence of aliens, have now been understood as an intentional homage to classic 50s Sci-Fi genre films[[note]]Although detractors can be aware of this while still maintaining that 1950's sci-fi has been mocked and parodied to death since its heyday and doesn't lend itself well to any straight-faced homage[[/note]], following in the footsteps of the trilogy which were homages to classic adventure pulp films. Meanwhile, other complaints, such as the overuse of CGI, are simply no longer seen as critically damaging to the film's quality as was originally assumed. Even the infamous "Nuke the Fridge" scene, while still an egregious example, has lessened as Indy surviving impossible scenarios and emerging unscathed is more or less commonplace for him. This is not even considering the genuine positives the film has to offer such as the reunion of the cast and crew of much of the ''Indiana Jones'' trilogy, most of all Marion. In general, the film is not without its issues, but it has come a long way from the "ruined my childhood" reputation it once had.

** The derided "Kung Fu [[{{Mayincatec}} Aztecs]]" guarding the Andean graveyard has a sort of precedent. There is a purportedly Pre-hispanic Andean martial art called ''Rumi Maki'' ("Stone Hand") which focuses on combinations of hand strikes supplemented by rapid kicks, just as portrayed in the film. As with the crystal skulls, however, many believe it to be a modern hoax in the vein of the supposedly Basque art of Zipota, as the idiom ''Rumi Maki'' referring to a martial art was virtually unused before the art's current promoters published their work during TheSixties.