Judy Thorburn's Movie Reviews
National Treasure
- Details
- Category: Judy Thorburn
- Published on 24 November 2008
- Written by Judy Thorburn
Judy Thorburn
National Treasure
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CLUE FILLED ACTION ADVENTURE LEADS TO “NATIONAL TREASURE”
Movies about conspiracy theories, mysterious legends, secret societies, or unusual phenomena always perk my interest. So, since National Treasure definitely fits into more than one of those categories, I was hooked right from the start. Symbolic images on U.S. currency that might be connected to a secret society have been a subject for curious discussion throughout the years. It was just a matter of time that Hollywood would cash in on the notion. Where the filmmakers would go with it is something else. But, the result, though far fetched, is a journey that blends elements reminiscent of a fun filled Indiana Jones adventure.
The always quirky, yet charismatic Nicholas Cage stars as Benjamin Franklin Gates, a man, like his father (Jon Voight), grandfather (Christopher Plummer, in a cameo) and prior family generations, has dedicated most of his life in search of a treasure dating back centuries to the legendary Knights Templar and Freemasons. Ben’s determined to find what no others could before - the greatest “treasure of all treasures” in human history, hidden away by America’s Founding Fathers who deemed the bounty too powerful for one person to possess. Main problem is, in order to uncover its whereabouts Ben will have to steal one of the most valuable historical documents in the world, the Declaration of Independence, which has hidden on the back a map with major clues leading to the treasure’s location. With former cohort, turned adversary, Ian (Sean Bean, in typical bad guy mode) vying for the prize, Ben has to be one step ahead and get to it first before it gets into the wrong hands. Lest I forget to mention, FBI agent Sadusky (Harvey Keitel) is also hot on Ben’s trail, knowing someone has to go to jail for this heist.
National Treasure moves from one historical locale to another as Ben, his computer wiz/comical associate, Riley (Justin Bartha), and National Archives conservator, Abigail Chase (too young for the role, but pretty Diane Kruger), an unwitting accomplice at first, uncover each riddle and clue that helps solve the puzzle. And, there are many along the way. From the Arctic discovery of a meerschaum pipe in a buried ship named the Charlotte, that starts the ball rolling, to national monuments in Washington D.C., Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, to Trinity Church on Wall Street, and in deep catacombs beneath Manhattan, a myriad of clues are found to help connect the dots.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer comes through with his usual bag of tricks. That, of course means having director Jon Turterltaub deliver plenty of exciting chases through crowded streets and death defying stunts. And, any history buff will get a kick seeing the clever use of historical tidbits and how statesman’s names such as Benjamin Franklin (our hero, for one) with his inventions, pen name, and others come into play.
So, if you are clueless as to the next family friendly movie you want to catch, there is no reason to be puzzled. Just go to your local Cineplex and see National Treasure. It is chock full of suspense, action, mystery, humor, and surprises, that will surely fit the bill.