Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (the fourth film in the franchise) received generally positive reviews from critics upon release but a mixed to polarized response from audiences. Critics praised the action and cast, while audiences were often divided over the plot and use of CGI. 

Critical Reception

• Aggregate Scores: The film holds a "Certified Fresh" 77-78% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with a critical consensus that the film delivers the expected thrills with Harrison Ford's return. On Metacritic, it has a "generally favorable" weighted average score of 65 out of 100, based on 40 critics.
• Praise: Reviewers praised Harrison Ford's performance as Indiana Jones, the John Williams musical score, and the film's success in capturing the pulpy, B-movie tone of the 1950s sci-fi era it aimed to emulate. The action sequences were often described as thrilling and well-realized, even if tending towards the overblown.
• Criticism: Common criticisms from critics included a weak script, some clunky dialogue, an over-reliance on CGI (compared to the practical effects of the original trilogy), and an underdeveloped character for Shia LaBeouf's Mutt Williams. Cate Blanchett's villainess character was also a point of mixed opinion, seen by some as a strong femme fatale and others as a one-dimensional caricature. 

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• Mixed Feelings: Audience response was far more polarized than critical reception, with many fans feeling the film didn't live up to the original trilogy. The aggregate audience score on Rotten Tomatoes is 53%.
• Major Grievances: A significant point of contention was the ending and the introduction of aliens/interdimensional beings as the "mystical" element, which some felt didn't fit the established lore of the franchise, which had previously focused on religious or historical artifacts. The infamous "nuking the fridge" scene was also widely ridiculed for its implausibility.
• Positive Views: Despite the criticism, many viewers found the film to be an entertaining and fun adventure, appreciating the nostalgic feeling of seeing Harrison Ford and Karen Allen (Marion Ravenwood) together again. Many fans argue that like the previous films (e.g., the mine cart chase in Temple of Doom, the 1,000-year-old knight in The Last Crusade), it requires a suspension of belief to enjoy the action and humor.