"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" wrapped production in late October of 2007. Great news, especially for myself! I mean, the archaeologist/adventurer with a knack for getting into trouble was back! That still didn't stop the naysayers, who have had their say for almost a good year now.

Let's go back in time and see what the steady complaints were before and during production of the long-awaited sequel.

January of 2007 was when George Lucas declared that production on the newest Indiana Jones flick would commence on June 18th of 2007. Since production completed, the negativity began, as it only can on the Internet, specifically the Internet Movie Database Message Boards. But let's back up a bit. First came various drafts throughout the years by respectable writers, including a rejected draft by M. Night Shyamalan who was a big fan of "Raiders of the Lost Ark." Along came writer Frank Darabont ("The Shawshank Redemption" and "The Green Mile") and his was outright rejected by Lucas, though praised by Spielberg as the best script since "Raiders." Jeff Nathanson came along for a rewrite, and finally all parties agreed on David Koepp's draft. Fans were shocked since not many liked "The Lost World" (which Koepp wrote) and few had nice things to say about Koepp's script for "Spider-Man," though I have to disagree since it had the feel of Spidey 100%.

Then the rumor circled around the fact that Shia LaBeouf was going to be cast as a greaser, though speculation on whether he was Indy or Marion Ravenwood's son or both was never confirmed. Shia's casting was confirmed, and there was a backlash - the kid from "Transformers" and "Even Steven" is in an Indiana Jones flick? Well, Spielberg praised him as a genuine talent, essentially as the next Tom Hanks. Though I have yet to see Shia in a leading role, I cannot comment on Spielberg's enthusiasm.

The return of Karen Allen as Indy's first leading love interest from "Raiders of the Lost Ark" was seen as a generally good sign from the most ardent fans (they all cheered at the Comic-Con of last year when Karen Allen was introduced by Steven Spielberg). Positive buzz gathered a little more when Cate Blanchett was officially cast, playing a villainous Soviet agent (now confirmed as a character named Agent Irina Spalko). Better news came along when Ray Winstone was cast, as was John Hurt (rumored though not confirmed as Abner Ravenwood) and Jim Broadbent as a Yale professor. Still, the Shia haters came out in full force, claiming he destroyed certain films like "I, Robot." His role in "Transformers" has been well-regarded critically, as was his 2007 spring hit "Disturbia," but really, the kid is named Shia! And there were rumors, denied by Paramount, that Shia and possibly Ford have signed on for two more Indy flicks. Or maybe Shia will lead us into his own knack for raiding old temples in "Mutt Williams and the Search for the Fountain of Youth."

Then we saw the first official pics of Harrison Ford as a grizzled, older Indy with gray hair. There were respectable fan notices though some dismay about the gray hair (since Ford is 65 and the character is roughly 58 years old, I don't see what the problem is). But the Comic-Con footage showed Indy without a gun or gun holster, and no whip! But wait a minute - they were all taking a break from shooting so, what do you expect? Then came the photo we've all been waiting for - Indiana Jones with his leather jacket, gun, gun holster, whip and pouch. Only fault to the most picky fan was that the shoulder strap for the pouch was on the outside of the jacket as opposed to the inside. Stop the presses!

Trailer! Trailer! Read all about it!

First we hear from Lucas that the title of the film will be revealed on Thanksgiving of 2007 when the trailer was supposed to have premiered. But Shia announces the title a lot sooner at the MTV Movie Awards during the late summer season, and it is met with vitriol from, who else, fans! Kingdom of the Crystal Skull? Whatever happened to "City of Gods"? So does this mean it has something to do with a crystal skull? I suppose so, but most fans were hoping for Noah's Ark or Atlantis. I just say play your precious video games or read the novels if you are interested in those stories. As for the title, well, nobody seemed to have a problem with "Temple of Doom" or "Last Crusade," as far as I can remember.

More vitriol brewed when the teaser/trailer never appeared on Thanksgiving or Christmas. Then there was speculation that it would be shown at the Super Bowl on February 3rd...and what we got was an "Iron Man" trailer. It finally arrived on February 15th, approximately 12 am from some audiences who recorded the trailer with their cell phone in theatres during the showing of "The Spiderwick Chronicles." Analysis of the film is coming soon.