National Treasure: The Book of Secrets
National Treasure: Book of Secrets
Film review
NATIONAL TREASURE: THE BOOK OF SECRETS — ★ ★ — Nicolas Cage, Jon Voight, Harvey Keitel, Ed Harris, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Bruce Greenwood, Helen Mirren; rated PG (violence, mild profanity, vulgarity)
The first "National Treasure" movie wasn't exactly a cinematic treasure. In fact, it was pretty silly, though it was good natured and somewhat enjoyable.But the doing-it-for-the-cash sequel, subtitled "Book of Secrets," leans more to the silly side than the enjoyable.
To be fair, it's not without a few goofy thrills. But we've seen most if not all of this done before, and done much better, in both the first film as well as the Indiana Jones movies.
Nicolas Cage reprises his role as Benjamin Franklin Gates, who's still uncovering long-lost secrets and treasures.
He now has a fortune-hunting competitor in the person of Jeb Wilkinson (Ed Harris), who has evidence that implicates Ben's great-grandfather in Abraham Lincoln's assassination.
Ben's personal life isn't going so well either. He's on the outs with his girlfriend, Abigail Chase (Diane Kruger), though he'll need her help to clear the family name. And, of course, his father (Jon Voight) and wisecracking assistant Riley Poole (Justin Bartha) are along for the ride.
The resulting adventure takes them around the world, from Paris to Buckingham Palace, then to the White House and Mount Rushmore. And it may may also lead them to a legendary lost City of Gold.
It's not a terrible setup, but things flounder because of Jon Turtletaub's uninspired direction and a by-the-numbers script that comes from the writers of "I Spy," "The Shaggy Dog" remake and other duds.
Again, it's not a complete waste. Some of the film's best moments come from the bickering between Voight's character and a very-welcome Helen Mirren, who plays his ex-wife, a lost languages expert.
However, Cage looks ridiculous in an unflattering hairpiece. And Harris sounds as if he's trying different Southern accents for his "Gone Baby Gone" role, which was released first but was shot after this film.
"National Treasure: Book of Secrets" is rated PG for violent action (gunplay, shootings and vehicular mayhem), moments of peril, some suggestive language and mild toilet humor, and scattered mild profanity (mostly religiously based). Running time: 124 minutes.
E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com
Comments
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Jon Voight, Harvey Keitel, Ed Harris, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Bruce Greenwood, Helen Mirren
Find a Movie Theater
- Carrey to be a grandfather 12:26 p.m.
- UFC's milestone event 12:23 p.m.
- Sentencing for con man moved 12:19 p.m.
- New lobbyist reports due Friday 12:08 p.m.
- LDS seminary principal arrested 11:49 a.m.
- Power.com sues Facebook 11:40 a.m.
- Stocks falter 11:39 a.m.
- Mandela stays away from exhibition 11:38 a.m.
- Obama artist makes plea deal 11:33 a.m.
- Cuba acknowledges desertion 11:30 a.m.
- Jazz talking Boozer trade?
- Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
- Jazz in back of line for free agents
- Okur signs two-year extension
- A primer for the 6th Potter film
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Jazz won't meet Lopez on Europe trip
- Restaurant destroyed by fire
- Mall owner seeks to retain zoning
- Jazz rally for OT win at Orlando
- Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
140 - Letters: Palin mistreated
139 - Teachers struggle with district cuts
135 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
121 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Moon landing: Let's hear from you
79 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
73 - Letters: Single-payer system best
70 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70
And his friend should be stripped of his police pension and charged with...
Did Glenn know it was going to be a fake burning?
How about Kirilenko and Harpring and the cash difference for McGrady. That...
To "to Redshirt | 11:46 a.m." there are simple solutions, but they are not...
webs we weave when we first practice to deceive. Anyone working in a...
If judges do not take motivation into consideration, there is no difference...
Like it or not people we are living in babylon! I cant even have a normal...
I swear utah county only gets the fox news channel, sean hannity, rush...
Hate Crime Law dates back to 1969 and permits federal prosecution of hate...
Swell: How about a nonpartisan investigation so that unethical Democrats...




You can be the first to comment on this story.