National Treasure: Book of Secrets
2007  PG  ACTION  2h 4min
CAST— Nicolas Cage, Jon Voight, Harvey Keitel, Ed Harris, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Bruce
Greenwood, Helen Mirren
MUSIC— Trevor Rabin  DIRECTOR— Jon Turteltaub

     Semi-entertaining treasure hunt involving a bit more than picks and shovels. Nicolas Cage returns as Ben Gates, historian extraordinaire, always on the move seeking historical truth. His family’s honor is at stake when knowledge comes forth claiming that one of Gates’ ancestors was involved in the assassination of President Lincoln. In order to disprove this claim he assembles the old team and starts traveling the globe, sneaking into palaces and diplomatic properties, seeking centuries-old clues that might exonerate his forefather. But he’d best beware; the very man who made the claim against Gates’ forebear (Ed Harris) is following Gates’ every step, hoping to be led to a legendary Native American city of gold. It’s gonna take a little more than cunning on Gates’ part to stay ahead of his rival (who actually may not be as bad of a guy as one might assume). The filmmakers certainly pull out all the stops in making this a harrowing adventure film, but sadly Nicolas Cage is no Harrison Ford. Films of this particular genre (few as they may be) all seem like Indiana Jones clones, inferior ones at that. If one can separate the entertainment here from Spielberg’s efforts, one may get more bang for their buck. Otherwise, take it or leave it. AKA National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets.
OUR RATING— **
PRECEDED BY— National Treasure (2004)