Nearly two decades later, that intrepid professor/archaeologist — whip in hand, fedora on top — is back for another cinematic adventure. "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" opened yesterday, getting a jump on the Memorial Day weekend crowds, to mixed comments from reviewers.

Here are excerpts:

" 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.' Say it aloud. The very title causes the pulse to quicken, if you, like me, are a lover of pulp fiction. ...

"If you liked the other Indiana Jones movies, you will like this one, and that if you did not, there is no talking to you."

— Roger Ebert, Universal Press Syndicate

"There is no getting around it: 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' is shackled with the burden of unreasonable expectations. Does it live up to them? How could it? ...

" 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' plays heavily on the fondness of the audience for the first three films. Without that, it's basically a better-made version of the 'National Treasure' series."

— Bill Goodykoontz, Gannett News Service

"It's obvious that this fourth film in the Indy series really has no idea where to go. Except for the opening — which literally starts the film off with a bang — and a couple of dazzling chase sequences, 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' is about as unfocused and meandering as the title itself."

— Christy Lemire, Associated Press

"The film is fast-moving, fun and occasionally inventive (the man-eating ants are a nice touch). But its success rides almost entirely on (Harrison) Ford, who brightens the action — always improbable, occasionally ludicrous — with physical humor and rascally charm."

— Rafer Guzman, Newsday

"Even with the ponderous dialogue, it's hard not to have fun on this adventure, and it's good to see that Indy, though slightly weary, still has the goods."

— Claudia Puig, USA Today

" 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' shows up as 'Indiana Jones' Greatest Hits,' recycling sequences from the terrific 1980s trilogy, re-using that splendid John Williams score, reminiscing over cast members not on board this time or no longer with us, Ford muttering 'I've got a bad feeling about this' one more time.

"Is that enough of a reason to see it? You bet your bullwhip it is."

— Roger Moore, McClatchy-Tribune News Service (Orlando Sentinel)

"... A good, solid sequel would have been nice — proof that a handsomely graying collection of world-class cinematic entertainers, both behind and in front of a defiantly nondigital camera, were right to haul out the fedora and the bullwhip for one more adventure.

"But the movie with the title that does not know when to quit, 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,' does not know when to quit."

— Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune