I also think that this is a movie that will grow on us over time as we get used to/desensitised to some of the more "out of place" aspects. I wasn't around for Raiders, but I imagine that if I was seeing Temple of Doom would have been a traumatic, confusing and disappointing experience--and Temple of Doom is my favorite of the four. I mean a horror film, peoples hearts being ripped out, some 5 year old asian sidekick, Evil Indy being brainwashed as a cult member, no butt-kicking leading lady, gross-out humor like the dinner scene, not much character development, no build-up just action all the way, more unrealistic stunt scenes...I imagine I would have though, "hmm thats a good movie, but its not Indiana Jones, and it can't a candle to the original."

So, right now, I'm going to say that I need at least a second viewing of Crystal Skull--which I intend to see in theaters again--to begin to have a larger perspective of how I feel about the film. My initial reaction is "that was pretty good but nothing that special, and its not a classic like the others," but I have this strange suspicion that over time I'll eventually start viewing it on more equal terms with the others.