CORPORATE LINE: All his life, Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicolas Cage) has been searching for a treasure no one believed existed: amassed through the ages, moved across continents, to become the greatest treasure the world has ever known. Hidden by our Founding Fathers, they left clues to the treasure’s location right before our eyes… from our nation’s birthplace, to the nation’s capitol, to clues buried within the symbols on the dollar bill. In a race against time, Gates must elude the FBI, stay one step ahead of his ruthless adversary (Sean Bean), decipher the remaining clues and unlock the 2000 year-old mystery behind our greatest national treasure.
THE GOOD: Nicolas Cage is quite good in his usual role as the reluctant action hero. Cage’s character Benjamin gets the movie moving along with his knowledge and daring not to mention his knack for knowing everything.
Cage’s co-stars Justin Bartha plays the comedic sidekick and keeps it on pace when the film needs a zap of energy. Diane Kruger is the sexy Dr. Abilgal Chase—but do we believe there are doctors as sexy as her? No, but at least it kept us interested. Besides, the ladies have Cage to go gaga over.
THE BAD: The story is interesting; however the film starts to get away from any semblance of reality the further we get into the film. National Treasure isn’t shot as quickly paced as the film wants to be. There is so much about National Treasure that could have been exciting yet never mounts too much. This is no Indiana Jones. Although, I will say this is far in a way better than Tomb Raider—that’s not saying much.
FRANKLY: National Treasure isn’t exactly a treasure. It’s fun just not in a brilliant sort of way. Sure you learn a little history here and there just don’t expect to watch the film in school for educational means. National Treasure won’t go down in history as an epic adventure yet Disney seems to be on track with its non-animated films. The problem is there seems to be something missing. Something bold. Something that makes you tell friends about it. Maybe National Treasure wasn’t trying hard enough or maybe it wasn’t trying to be great.
+ Charlie Craine
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