Johnny Ringo said:

If Steven dirtected the filma nd you didn't like it then your qualm is with him. This was a movie he CHOSE to direct based on a Script presented to him. He's not a child being led by the hand... No it wasn't awesome but who HONESTLY expected it to be after all these years?

Whoa, there, JR! My qualm is with Spielberg. I just don't think you can discount the relationship Spielberg and Lucas have had over all these years or the possibility that Spielberg didn't sign onto the film without doubts over its production or script (he clearly was concerned over the quality of the effects with his attitude that CG be minimized [tenth bulletpoint from bottom] and his decision to shoot on actual film instead of digital).

Both Spielberg and Lucas were also on notice from Harrison Ford to get a movie rolling soon or for them all to cut bait if it didn't happen soon enough for him; a very plausible reason amongst other possible reasons, such as Lucas' apparent loss of cinematic sanity, for Spielberg to agree to a script that he may not have been 100% satisfied with.

That's my reasoning: supposition based on facts to the conclusion that Spielberg helmed a poorly executed movie (not that he's responsible for it all) with major trouble in its story, flow, characterizations, photography, editing, and score.

Much like zombie, I still want to see it again, though, to test my evaluation of it. I had had an extra long day at work and was quite tired. That being said, however, there were points in the film that just weren't believable. Maybe I can come to appreciate it as an Indy adventure much as I have come to consider TOD which I originally did not care for much.

In short, I feel that Spielberg's failing with KOTCS was the lack of believable emotional gravity in the characters, between the charcaters, and between the characters and the adventure they were on.