National Treasure: Book of Secrets Review

by Homer Yen (homer_yen AT yahoo DOT com)
December 24th, 2007
"National Treasure: Book of Secrets" - Another
Good Find
by Homer Yen
(c) 2007

Nicolas Cage, in his previous film ("Next"), had
a persona that was dreary. Nicolas Cage, in his
previous-previous film ("Ghost Rider"), had a
persona that was dreary. And the same could be
said for 95% of his performances dating back to
when he won his well-deserved Oscar for "Leaving
Las Vegas" in which he played a depressant that
had a persona that was - dreary. Ugh. But,
something happens when he assumes the role of
treasure hunter and historian, Benjamin Gates.
He's a new man!

Reprising his character from the 2004 hit
"National Treasure," this second installment is
another globetrotting hunt to discover and
decipher esoteric clues that might help him to
solve the mystery of whether one of his
ancestor's was actually a co-conspirator of the
assassination of President Lincoln. Now, I'm not
very good with American history. I've always
avoided the history category when playing Trivial
Pursuit unless it has something to do with 1980s
television shows. The telling of a missing page
from the diary of John Wilkes Booth; a lost city
of gold; clandestine support of the Confederacy
by England's Queen, and a secret society amounts
to a great bedtime story. And that's what
"National Treasure" ultimately is. It's a nicely
told bedtime story.

Anyway, when this new challenge arises, the
original cast members re-assemble. This
includes, in addition to Benjamin, his somewhat
curmudgeonly father (Jon Voight), a techno-wiz
and comic relief sidekick (Justin Bartha), and
the curator/girlfriend (Diane Kruger) who
actually has no purpose in this film except to
provide a pretty face and to drive away a getaway
car.

It's actually more fun than any 8th grade Social
Studies class. And they visit London, Paris,
Mount Rushmore, and Washington DC. Oddly, each
location had an abundant lack of security that
allowed Gates and the gang to break in and get
what they needed. But the fun of the film is
watching them trying to decode ciphers, translate
dead languages, unlock Chinese Box puzzles, and
stay ahead of a competing treasure
hunter/glory-seeker (Ed Harris). If the
"Goonies" grew up, it would be this motley crew.

Now, although much of the logic is as thin as the
proof that Area 51 exists, the people at Disney
understand how to craft a great matinee offering
for the entire family. The film visits all sorts
of recognizable, family-friendly landmarks and
even Ben's mom (Helen Mirren) comes on board to
join in on the escapades. Meanwhile, the main
feature is preceded by an animated short that
showcases lovable Goofy attempting to set up his
mega home entertainment center.

There's plenty of star wattage, even though the
setting is placed on "low". There are plenty of
sequences to give you some sweaty palms. Heck,
at one point, even looking through the library
has its joys as they get closer to the truth.
The actors have a such a good time going through
it all that sometimes, they look like they're one
step away from chuckling at their lines. Fun for
them; fun for us.

Grade: B

S: 1 out of 3
L: 0 out of 3
V: 1 out of 3

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