National Treasure (Widescreen Edition) Reviews

• Ignore the critics, enjoy the ride

  
  By A108A421PC6MH3 on 2004-11-21
  I'm surprised that this movie has attracted so much scorn. Is it silly and far-fetched? Well, duh, anyone could figure that out who's seen only half a trailer! So, if we accept that going in, the only remaining question is does it deliver sufficient entertainment value?
  
  I vote yes.
  
  The far-fetched plot owes a large debt to "The DaVinci Code", which itself owes a large debt to a time-honored history of conspiracy theories. Long before "The DaVinci Code" was published, I'd heard all sorts of whispered tales about the Knights Templar and the Freemasons - usually involving the Holy Grail, though.
  
  But none of that matters. This is a yarn, pure and simple. As such, it's well told with a good mix of likable and villainous characters, plus at least one you're not too sure about. Should you expect a tall tale to stand up under intense scrutiny? Not bloody likely! To keep you from thinking about the incongruities, it has lots of well-paced action.
  
  This is also a family film. I saw it with 8 other family members ranging from preteen school kids to their grandpa (me). Everyone had a good time and everyone figured we got our money's worth.
  
  

• In Our Day and Age... ****1/2

  
  By A3DL686B8JEM8A on 2005-04-28
  National Treasure is proof of what us "common" listeners, movie goers, readers and observers have suspected for a long time; That critics are usually wrong/stupid. This movie got bad reviews. Not even bad - abysmal reviews. And do you wanna know why? After everything is said and done, it's because there's no sex, no foul language, and it's entertaining instead of disturbing. Well we can leave them to the business of deciding what our likes and values "should" be, and we they can pontificate why movies they view with disdain end up as year-end blockbusters. With that being said, I feel I should come from a different angle. This movie is also NOT an anti-Christianity film (and I find it interesting that people would equate it as such, seeing as there are so many other mediums that are). The plain and simple facts: pretty much everyone involved in shaping this country: from establishing it, to breaking from England, from the signing of the Declaration of Independence, to the men we've elected as Presidents have been Christians. ALSO, more than half the men that signed the Declaration were Masons. Simple facts. George Washington was a Mason. Ben Franklin was a master mason. Lodges were established pretty much everywhere across the East Coast. There's no way to dispute these things because they happened. Coming to the conclusion that masonry is anti-Christian just shows a lack of knowledge on the subject (especially since most masons are Christian to begin with). This is a completely different topic (something that I wouldn't mind discussing with anyone via e-mail), so onto the movie.
  
  It's well written, interesting, with a cliff-hanger look into history that more than acknowledges Dan Brown. (By the way, Dan Brown's new book is on the same subject as this movie. I'm not sure which is interdependent.) It's well produced, well casted, with very few lagging moments. The story is great and the American historical sights are filmed very well, showing masonic influence in virtually everything our Founding Fathers did. I really don't see how this can be construed as negative. Perhaps critics don't like Disney.
  
  Seeing an early edition DVD of this movie, I can say that the special features are certainly lacking. Putting any type of "history channel" type documentary of the evolution of templars-to-masons would have been nice. Even masonry in American history would have been good. Basically, there's a 5 minute mini-history that covers the same ground as the movie or is common knowledge. Perhaps the "special edition" will have more. The lacking special features pales to the greatness of the movie. One of the best!
  
  Overall: 9 out of 10.
  
  

• Indiana Jones in today's environment

  
  By A30BCRSABL9AYI on 2005-02-23
  A good comparison if you're looking for one would be the Indiana Jones series of movies without the monkey brains and not quite as deadly :-) I would say also that National Treasure is more family friendly than the Indiana Jones series of movies as well as there really wasn't any language to speak of. I enjoyed every minute of it and hope that there's another one to come at some point.
  
  

• National Treasure

  
  By A1OGPR0AKZ4K7D on 2008-03-15
  What a great movie that the whole family can watch! I am a history buff, and it was very enjoyable to see this movie incorporate actual events from history into the mystery. The cast was well chosen, and the movie never had a dull moment. The different location shots were chosen, and showcased to intrigue the viewers.
  
  
  

• Great adventure film appropriate for youngsters

  
  By A3V6Z4RCDGRC44 on 2005-05-02
  It seems that just about every movie out there in modern times involves skimpy outfits, swearing, or other adult themes. National Treasure is one of those rare films that is fun for the kids, while offering at least a reasonable amount of intrigue for adults as well.
  
  First, yes, let's get out of the way that the plot and characters are rather one-dimensional and only lightly sketched. Ben wants the treasure - but we never really get a sense of why he's seeking it. Perhaps he wants to find it (as he claims when seeking to avoid prison) to 'give it back to the people'. He's joined by a cute female researcher and a cyber-guy. The trio is up against Sean Bean, who wants the treasure for (gasp) monetary gain.
  
  The main appeal of the movie is that the sanitized adventure takes place in locations that you could visit with your family - Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York. The characters move from location to location, deciphering clues and getting hints of masonic involvement. There are creaky underground caverns, guttering torches, and of course, vast treasures. It helps kids to get interested in history, which is a lovely thing.
  
  There is "sweet" love between the main characters - one mild kiss is the extent of their affection. There is the child-reedeeming-his-father's-love going on. Without giving much away, good triumphs and evil is vanquished.
  
  I really wish they could have done a bit better job on the coherency of the movie, though. Sure, having it so sweet-and-simple was lovely for the kids. However, they could have had a bit more logic in some scenes. They know that one clue is "beneath" a two-word name ... but when they find a plaque with those two words on it, they immediately smash it. When they find that person's body, they immediately cause destruction to the scene, so they can't search it. There's a sundial-type puzzle in one sequence, and they obviously need to know the time of day for the sundial. The puzzle is in three dimensions - they need to know exactly where the sundial points. However, they don't even think at all about what day of the year it should refer to - they simply assume one day is the same as any other.
  
  They use ropes that are over 200 years old, which somehow haven't been gnawed by rats or crisped over time. And, in a scene of ultimate horror for me, they find a room full of ancient documents - and they LIGHT A MASSIVE FIRE. Not only would this have crisped the important papers, but this was in an underground chamber - the smoke and lack of oxygen would have slain them all.
  
  I'm not trying to nit-pick here - there were trillions of little errors if we wanted to get into those. These were the huge, glaring "No Way!" moments that caused huge problems with simply following and enjoying the movie. It would have been so easy for the writers to handle these points properly - to keep it 'sweet' for the kids and 'fun' for the adults. So I find it a shame that they couldn't do that properly.
  
  For the DVD, there were a number of special features provided. They definitely aimed this squarely at kids. There are a tiny amount of deleted scenes and alternate ending options. The main group of special features are 'learn about codes' types of exercises. They take quite a while to work your way through - not because they are hard, but because they are really tedious. You have to solve a number of symbol-matching puzzles. You have to go letter, by letter, using your remote control to find the matches. In one puzzle, even though there are multiple copies of a given symbol on the screen, you have to go back and re-select it each time. That's just silly.
  
  But still, it is meant for kids, and the kids might enjoy doing it step ... by step ... by step ... to get all the secret codes to unlock the super-secret features. There is a tiny amount of information about the Masons, and how the purge of the Templars over 700 years ago still affects us in our fear of Friday the 13th. I would have enjoyed even more "real" information about the Great Seal on dollar bills and so on. There are many topics touched on by the movie which are just let go. Maybe the hope is that people will use the internet to keep figuring out secrets, long after they finish with the movie.
  
  So in summary, if you have kids in the house, then National Treasure is a great, safe movie to watch together that is a fun story that has a nice moral ending. If you're an adult, I might rent it - but there are many other books out there that cover this topic area (masonic secrets, history of 1776 situation, Templars, etc.) with much more interesting detail. The reality of what went on is even more fascinating than anything Hollywood could invent!
  
  
• A Treasure hunt for the ages!
  By A121XO3OU9CPZ6 on 2005-07-18
  Wow i never would think i would see an action movie with a history lesson and a free tour of america's historical places.
  
  The Plot-Ben Gates(Nicholas Cage) has been told since his childhood by his grandfather that there is a treasure that is within our country that has the most valuable treasures across the world and that the only way to find it is to solve hidden riddles that are within national documents, places, and currency.Entailing one big wild giant riddle that leads Ben and his friends across the country.BUT Ben and Co. are not the only ones that are after this treasure, His ex-friends are willing to kill to get their greedy hands on this treasure.
  
  This movie is one big treasure hunt that leads the viewer to national monuments, landmarks, and many cities. If you do not go out much don't worry because this movie is like a tour guide around the U.S.
  
  The Action-This movie is not really a shoot-em-up, explosion type of action movie. Since this is a Disney movie(hard to believe)it has some gunshots fired but this movie is mostly a race to the treasure, so expect to see alot of running and watch Ben and Co and his foes play hot potato with the Declaration of Independence(since their is a treasure map on the back that leads to the treasure)
  
  The negatives-Sometimes the movie can seem a little unreal since i think it is impossible to steal the Declaration O.I. and some of the action scenes like when Ben is hanging and swinging on a van's back door while the van is in motion while avoiding oncoming traffic.And the whole treasure hunt around the country does seem unreal, but hey thats why it's a movie right?
  
  Conclusion-I urge you to atleast rent this movie because it's a tourguide on film, your kids will like the whole treasure hunt aspect, mostly good action scenes, and great acting(for the most part)and if you like it, then purchase or whatever you please.
  
  DVD bonus features:
  
  -Deleted Scenes and Alternate Ending with optional director commentary
  -Opening Scene Animatic with optional director commentary
  -"National Treasure On Location"
  -"The Knights Templar" featurette
  -"Treasure Hunters Revealed" - Meet real life modern day treasure hunters
  -"Riley Poole's Decode This!" - an interactive puzzle solving feature
  
  4 stars out of 5!
  
  The Opinionated One has Spoken
  
  
• we take VISA
  By A1TMAVN4CEM8U8 on 2008-03-17
  National Treasure DVD
  
  National Treasure reminds me of a scavenger hunt with guns. It kind of has the flavor of an Indiana Jones movie, just with Nicolas Gage instead of Harrison Ford. Now that there's two of them out see National Treasure 2 - Book of Secrets (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) I guess it'll be like Indiana Jones, they'll keep making them as long as they sell.
  
  Anyhow Nicolas Gage plays a modern day treasure hunter who runs from clue to clue, closely followed by a rival for the treasure. This is a "Jerry Bruckheimer" production, so I wonder if it'll be coming to TV soon.
  
  Recommended for fans of Nicolas Gage Indiana Jones movies and scavenger hunts.
  
  Gunner March, 2008
  
  
  
• Great popcorn flick
  By A2VN986E5KR1NV on 2004-11-20
  You've got Jerry Bruckheimer producing and Nic Cage starring; do the math. This is a very entertaining popcorn flick with a fascinating premise, well-executed, and satisfyingly resolved. The acting is way above average, the suspense is palpable, and the scenarios are...well, OK, mostly implausible. But, if you can suspend your belief for a couple of hours and ignore some rather large plot holes, you will enjoy the film. The story moves at a brisk pace, from a young man's family legacy to the Arctic Circle to Washington, DC, to New York, and to Boston and beyond, the plot follows a mysterious trail to a spectacular treasure. By the end, everyone has realized that some things in life matter far more than money. This is a very "clean" family film, with no bad language and a minimum of violence (and no blood). There is a fair amount of droll humor, and Jon Voigt adds emotional heft to the film as Cage's dad. All in all, this movie looks like it will be a smash. It positively screams "summer movie" which makes it a little surprising at this time of year (late Novemember). But, it should find a healthy niche and make loads of money during this season. It probably won't win many awards, but it's a fun flick all the same.
  
  
• Today's Indiana Jones
  By A2X3M0LWJX96VL on 2005-07-12
  Benjamin Franklin Gates has been obsessed his entire life with the legend of a treasure guarded and protected by the founding fathers of the nation. From the time he was only a child, he has had a desire to find this fabled treasure --- the treasure of ALL treasures, the largest one in history --- and has only had one clue to go on: a slip of paper given to his great-great-great-great grandfather that says "The secret lies with Charlotte."
  
  When he finally solves this clue, it leads to another clue, and another and another, and so on. The first clue points to the Declaraion of Independence. But when he refuses his partner's suggestion that they steal the ancient document, his team breaks up to go in different directions to solve this mystery.
  
  Knowing that Ian, his ex-partner, plans to steal the Declaration --- and knowing that Ian has no real respect for that piece of history and only wants the treasure for himself --- Gates decides that he has to steal the Declaration of Independence himself in order to protect it.
  
  With the help of his remaining partner, Riley, and the lovely Dr. Chase --- an expert on the Declaration and on the handling of antique documents --- Gates follows a twisting path laid down by the free masons, trying to put together the pieces of this massive puzzle.
  
  Filled with adventure and lots of good clean humor, this movie is fun for all ages. The plot is complex and intricate, the characters are likable, and the action increases in speed and intensity as Gates, Riley, and Chase try to find the end of this maze before Ian does. Watch this one, it's quite exciting!
  
  
• Enjoyable for what it is
  By A2I6MHMAZZDCRX on 2005-05-05
  Benjamin Franklin Gates is the latest in a long line of treasure hunters. The Gates family has been searching for a treasure hidden by the founders of the United States since the last founder told one of them the first clue many years ago. There's just one difference. Ben has solved the first riddle and that leads him to believe the next clue is on the back of the Declaration of Independence. When his financiers decided to steal the document, Ben realizes he's on his own to find the treasure and keep America's historical document safe. But in a race again time, will Ben and his friends win?
  
  Ok, so maybe this movie isn't great cinema or the best movie ever made. It really doesn't matter, and you know why? Because the movie is fun. I had a smile on my face from start to finish and was often on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happened next. Yes, I'm annoyed that we never found out how Ben tracked down the first clue. And there's at least one plot hole that will jump off the screen at you. But in the end, I didn't care. The story engaged me, and the characters were fun. I found their banter very entertaining. Plus setting the story around so much American history certainly didn't hurt this US history buff.
  
  The DVD could have been better done. The widescreen and surround sound are wonderful. It's the extras where I have my problem. There is a treasure hunt motif to them, with at least two different levels. The booklet does provide clues to get to the second layer, but I keep hearing rumors of a final level, and that's very annoying. What is easily found is nice. There are two deleted scenes and an alternate ending, each with an optional commentary. We get a brief behind the filming documentary and an animated early version of the opening story to give the director an idea how it was supposed to look. Layer two brings an encryption game and two brief documentaries on real life treasure hunters (interesting) and the Knights Templar (mostly useless.) Noticeably missing, at least in the obvious parts of the disc, are such standard features as an audio commentary and the original trailers.
  
  This movie is exactly what it sets out to be, a fun escape. If looked at that way, you'll be entertained.
  
  
• Really Good Movie. Almost a Treasure
  By A33IZJVCKFKDPU on 2004-12-05
  Nicolas Cage and Jerry Bruckheimer have done some pretty decent movies together. "The Rock" was pretty good along with "Con Air" and "Gone is 60 Seconds." I figured with their past that I would take a chance and check this movie out. And I wasn't disappointed with the results.
  
  The movie is about a treasure hunter named Benjamin Franklin Gates (Cage). His family members have been searching for the "greatest treasure in the world" for many generations and have not been able to put the clues together. On a search for the treasure, Ben finds a clue that indicates that the treasure map is on the back of the Declaration of Independence, written in invisible ink. One of his expedition team members Ian (Sean Bean) wants to steal the Declaration of Independence to get the treasure map. Ben does not want to. Convinced that Ian is going to steal the map, Ben does it himself to "protect" the document. He finds clues on the back of the document and engages on a treasure hunt through history.
  
  The movie itself is really good. It has a very good and intelligent storyline. It all works out very well. I like the locations that were used in the movie, such as Washington D.C. and some historical buildings in Philadelphia. The movie is rated PG so the action is kind of limited. Nicolas Cage does good as Ben. I think that he plays the same character in every movie, with the exception of "Adaptation." The supporting cast is fine, with Diane Kruger being good eye-candy. The only real question that I asked was why it was okay in Ben's mind that he could steal the Declaration of Independence and find the treasure with it, but it was bad for Ian to steal the document and do the same thing. I guess the movie needed a bad guy.
  
  Overall I would recommend seeing this movie. If you like history or suspense movies where you have to think a lot, then this movie is for you. If you don't like either of those, still check out this movie because your opinion may change.
  
  
  
  
• "We Can Do This" ~ On The Trail Of The Founding Fathers
  By A141HP4LYPWMSR on 2005-12-20
  Lots of action, romance and laughs in this wonderous adventure as Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) tries to locate a legendary treasure dating back to the sacking of the fabled Library of Alexandria in ancient Egypt. Handed down through the centuries via the Knights Templar, the Illuminati and the Masons, it reportedly was last in the possession of America's founding fathers' who were also high ranking Masons. Now hidden away for over two hundred years few still believe in its existence.
  
  Ben Gates is an expert on the topic of the long lost treasure, as is his Father and Grandfather before him. Aided by fellow adventurer Riley (Justin Bartha), the stunning Abigail (Diane Kruger) and his Father (Jon Voight) they must find the secret hiding place before the unscrupulous millionaire Ian Howe (Sean Bean) does.
  
  The storyline is filled with unexpected twists and turns and the cast is excellent. 'National Treasure' is recommended viewing, particularly for those fascinated by the topic of secret societies and conspiracies.
  
  
• Entertaining family flick
  By A1VHK9A4VLJTHC on 2004-11-20
  I love watching Gage onscreen, he's an incredible actor, that said, this movie kind of fell into the same catagory as Gone in Sixty Seconds, an under use of talent. Not nearly the exciting non-stop action that Pirates was, this "treasure/heist/guy-gets-sexygirl" flick was entertaining and enjoyable none the less.
  
  Without any hard violence/gore/etc, this movie is indeed a great family type, however, it's story line is way above the heads of little ones, my three year old fell asleep (just for the record she loves P of the C) so I think kids under 6 or 7 will probably be bored.
  
  Unfortunately, due to the attempt to make the movie more appealing to an adult audience (imo) this movie falls short of being capable of becoming a cult classic like the Goonies, but teens with an interest in American history and secret societies and treasure maps will probably enjoy owning it.
  
  It's worth seeing at the theater, and I'm half heartlying (is that even a word?) recommending it as one to own for the family set.
  
  
• Suprising Hit in My Book
  By A2XGUCFZCS0M4U on 2005-04-07
  I didn't plan to see this movie at all. Even though I usually love Jerry Bruckheimer films (Pirates of the Caribbean is one of my all-time favorites), the plot sounded too out there and far-fetched to seem enjoyable at all. However, when some friends from college suggested a movie night at the dollar theater, and this was their chosen flick, I figured, "What the heck? It's only a dollar." It was honestly the best dollar I spent at the movies in 2004.
  
  Putting aside the fact that the plot does sound a bit weird, there isn't much to complain about (which just proves what I have always believed - professional critics know nothing about what makes a good movie). Nicholas Cage's portrayal of Benjamin Franklin Gates, history nut and treasure hunter, was outstanding (albeit his knowledge of history did border on an obsession). As his sidekick Riley, Justin Bartha had me in stitches.
  
  The ONLY complaint I have is that it seemed fairly easy for Gates to actually get his hands on the Declaration of Independence. That point aside, it's an easy five-star movie.
  
  
• A great yarn
  By ATDE9JYCPI0L1 on 2005-05-15
  I'll vote with Grandpa Stout that this action film is one for the entire family.
  
  The story begins with a grandfather telling his grandson of a family mystery. Nicholas Cage delivers as the grown boy playing out his grandfather's dream, in a role that one might expect of Harrison Ford. And while the general outlines of the plot are predictable, the fun is in the details and special effects.
  
  How many people would expect to find a national treasure consisting of bounty galore from ancient civilizations by the dozen? No one with half a brain would accept the fictional notion here as real, much less the place these characters actually hit the jackpot. Still, the acting and characters are believable, as is the idea of following one's dreams. It's another Indiana Jones, without the violence.
  
  If you want an action-packed movie that is great for kids from five to 95, this feature length film provides the ticket.
  
  --Alyssa A. Lappen
  
  
• Accomplishes An Entertaining Goal
  By A36EW68H08UOCS on 2005-05-27
  One of the first things taught at journalism schools is that most "news stories" are to be written at a 6th grade level of education - the editorial page is the place for more erudite discussion. National Treasure is written at a level that would make the "average" person think "hey, that's pretty clever!", keeping in mind that the "average" person might not know that Benjamin Franklin wrote anonymous letters to newspapers while a teenager under the name "Silence Dogood". (He wrote hundreds of OTHER letters under other fictitious names as well and, given the piddling state of education in the U.S. I'd guess that the "average" person doesn't know that Old Ben was also "Poor Richard" or even know what his almanac was all about.) But I digress. Some people love to trash things that they think aren't up to their level, and so "National Treasure" didn't receive stellar reviews from the professional critics. I think it's safe to say the movie wasn't made for professional critics.
  
  It's an entertaining little adventure and anyone who claims that it has no clever parts must be very clever indeed. Much of the movie is a historical scavenger hunt that the founding fathers have laid out for the person who can decipher the clues - with the treasure of the Templar Knights at the end of the rainbow. One of the first clues is carved into the stem of a meerschaum pipe. The stem of the pipe detaches from the carved bowl, and has raised etchings. Our hero figures out that these etchings are intended to be used like an ink stamp, so he pricks his finger to use his blood as ink and rolls the pipe stem out to reveal the next clue. I thought that was pretty clever.
  
  The hero, Benjamin Franklin Gates, is the Grandson of John Adams Gates, and the Gates have been thought of as the mad scientists of American History because every generation has handed down the story of the hidden treasure and spends decades of their life trying to find the treasure, or at least get other historians to take them seriously. The plot takes them to Washington (to steal the Declaration of Independence in a concise little caper that's at least as clever as the one in "After the Sunset", and THAT was SUPPOSED to be a "caper" movie.) Ben has an assistant named Riley who serves two purposes: to add clever little comments like "so who wants to go down the creepy tunnel first?" and to provide someone that Ben can give exposition to: such as who Silence Dogood was. Diane Kruger is the love interest - a Washington Ph.D. who works at the National Archives. She's the pretty face used to represent all the keepers of the Declaration of Independence. Sean Bean is a rival treasure hunter and the movie goes to great lengths to show that Heroic Ben is only after the treasure for it's historical significance while Bean's Ian is only out for the money. Harvey Keitel plays the FBI agent who becomes interested after the Declaration is stolen, but he's little more than a plot marker himself. A couple of times he gets to say "SOMEBODY's going to prison."
  
  Hmmmm... Will good Ben or Evil Ian be the one going to prison? Will Ben and company find the magnificent treasure? For the answers to those questions check out National Treasure.... but is it too much of a clue if I tell you it's a Disney movie?
  
  
• "A treasure...a treasure beyond all imagining..."
  By A2MW0RYIXMEYGS on 2005-08-23
  "...A treasure that had been fought over for centuries by tyrants, Pharaohs, Emperors, Warlords. And every time it changes hands, it grew larger. And then suddenly...it vanished."
  
  PLOT: Nicholas Cage plays the role of Benjamin Franklin Gates, who inherited the Gates family quest of searching for the legendary treasure of the Knights Templar. The Knights blended in with the Free Masons and brought the treasure to America before the Revolutionary War. Assisting him in the search is Riley, who, let's face it, was brought along as the "Comical Wisecracking Brainiac Assistant." However, he also carries his role well, adding well-placed comic relief. Along for the ride is Ian (Lord of the Rings' Sean Bean), treasure-hungry yet wealthy investor who shares Ben's mission to find the treasure - but not his appreciation for its historical significance. After refusing Ian's offer to help steal the Declaration of Independence, Ben and Riley escape Ian's death trap and must match their wits against Ian's skill and bluster. Ben realizes that the only way he can stop Ian from stealing the Declaration IS to steal it. He enlists the unknowing help of National Archives employee Abigail Chase, and through an ingenious sequence of events, pulls off a hi-tech theft of the nation's founding document...barely in advance of Ian's attempt. While avoiding the understandably-upset authorities, Ben, Riley and Abigail track down further clues in hopes of locating the treasure...before Ian does.
  
  GOOD: Ben's a positive character, clearly standing for justice, truth, and the American way. (Music please) He doesn't want to steal the Declaration of Independence, but Ian's pending theft forces him to. He has an innate appreciation and awe for the document's significance, and for the history behind it. The movie does not have intentionally-inserted good-vs.-evil themes, but you know who the good guys are...and they ARE the good guys. The film is also very educational and historical. And naturally, the soundtrack is the icing on the cake...very reverent, rustic and antique.
  
  BAD: Very little to watch out for on the part of young children. There's maybe one or two swear words, if that. They kept surprising me, every time I thought they would swear, they didn't. There are dark and scary moments to look out for; Riley comes face-to-face with a frozen and half-decayed corpse rather suddenly, making him panic. Later, an ancient casket is moved, but the bottom falls through, shattering the aged bones on the ground. Ian and his thugs use a taser on a guard, shoot at Ben, and threaten him, Riley, Abigail. He also threatens Ben's father, played by Jon Voight, who does not share Ben's enthusiasm for the hunt, feeling that it has wasted the lives of the Gates family. No sexual content, except where two characters of the opposite sex change clothes in separate rooms while talking to each other. (We see them putting underwear on, but we don't see anything explicit) When Ben shows up at his father's house with Abigail in tow, his father immediately assumes she is pregnant.
  
  THOUGHTS: This is just a really good movie. What else can I say? It has all the essential ingredients needed: action, suspense, intrigue, puzzles, treasure hunts, and a little romance thrown in. It's richly woven with story, history, and intricately-woven detail. Treasure hunts aren't anything new, but the ingenuity, the skill with which the plot is crafted is amazing to watch unfold. The fact that it's "local" - taking place (and filmed on location) in Washington DC, about a treasure hidden by America's founding fathers - makes it all the more endearing. Nine and a half out of ten stars. (I'd give it ten, but SOMETHING has to separate it from Lord of the Rings!)
  
  BONUS MATERIALS: Sorely lacking, and it's rather irritating that you have to go through a big treasure hunt charade on the DVD before unlocking more materials...only to find that they really weren't worth the time. I have no doubt that you could find the code on a website somewhere and save yourself some time, but I really haven't checked.
  
  
  
• Nice Little Adventure Movie -Good Clean Fun for Everyone
  By A3CJ7MHAS9IMAM on 2006-01-29
  The first time I watched this flick, I asked myself, "How did this movie get made?" The plot is truly silly. The bad guys are really bad - almost cartoon like. And I was ready to dismiss it as just another mistake. Then I thought about it. The plot is is no more outlandish than a movie like "Raiders". And the acting is pretty good - Cage gives a nice, low key, intense take on the lead character. The photography and special effects are fine and the good guys win in the end. Kids can watch this (and will do so over and over) and you don't have to worry about nude scenes or bad language. Yes, there are explosions and shootouts but body parts don't come flying off - I guess that's progress?
  
  Silly? Oh Yes! Fun? Sure? Great movie? Next question.
  
  
• Slow start to fast passed story
  By A20EEWWSFMZ1PN on 2004-11-24
  A fun way to pass the time.
  
  A treasure has been passed from had to hand and growing for centuries. The freemasons, last to hold the treasure hid a treasure presumably in the U.S. They did not want the British to get their hands on it during the revolution. The last person with the information on the hiding place is dying and tells the only person near. Now his great grandson Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) is determined to find it.
  
  In the effort to find the treasure Ben must team with an unscrupulous person Ian (Sean Bean). Now they are at odds as to how to go about flinging a string of clues. We get to guess along with them and if we are knowledgeable we can stay ahead of them.
  
  Formula story with standard action mixing such things as "The Da Vinci Code" and "Indiana Jones". If I were to make one change it would be to exchange Cage's and Bean's characters. Sean Bean looks more the from no one to hero type.
  
  
  
• Great Family Movie
  By A3BJZ6UN3CFO1W on 2005-04-07
  This movie contains all the aspects a great family movie should have. A Great Story Line, Action, Adventure, Mystery, Twists and Turns, and Absolutely No Bad Language!
  
  
• let it sink
  By A3DWUM6SN3N3NR on 2005-05-04
  Some like to say that if the critics hate it, then it must be good. Well, I often say that if the masses love it, then it must be bad. The truth is probably somewhere in between.
  
  National Treasure starts off with great potential: Masonic underpinnings to the country, secret codes that reveal mysteries, and a treasure to be found, oh boy! The problems kick in with the hokey dialogue (Harvey Keitel proves that award winners can really be lame in a film and often take anything for money). He actually says something like, "This is not a good day for ummmm."
  
  Nick Cage can be really funny in action films like Con Air where his over-the-top performance is welcome. But in a film like this, where the viewer wants to take the story seriously, Cage comes across as a joke. Often he seems on the verge of laughter, or joy, perhaps at the obscene amount of money he makes just for showing up and being appealing. The geeky sidekick is reminiscent of the geek in Twister and the geeks ad infinitum that are an integral and oft annoying piece of the big budget action formulae. The public just giggles and giggles at all the high tech speak and dorky behavior. Look at Alias! The action scenes are quite silly (take the one with the blonde swinging from the door of the van). When the same blonde so easily caves into the plot of heisting the DOI after appearing to be the ethical one, I was amazed at how unbelievable this film was.
  
  At times the story is intriguing and the characters are amusing but these times are overshadowed by the overall sensationalistic Die-Hard meets Independence Day qualities (is anyone else sick of Jerry Bruckheimer's perpetually dumbed down style?)
  
  The dialogue mostly caters to the lowest common denominator (the masses), when it's not speaking over their heads, and is worthy of the critics' wrath. The Masonic/Knights Templar stuff is exciting and worthy of a film leagues beyond this one. I recommend that you put down the Dan Brown books, quit renting or buying sensational films like this and go find any book by Robert Anton Wilson to really stretch your mind on secret societies.
  
  The premise of this film would have been much better served by a Ridley Scott, David Cronenberg, or Ken Russell. David Mamet could have done a more stimulating version while sleep-walking.
  
  You've been "kissed by the vampire" on this one.
  
  
  
  
  
• With Liberty and Fun for All
  By A1M4NJYP0WNL8Q on 2005-10-29
  Too often, we lose track of the idea that having fun is an important part of staying sane. We get so serious about historical accuracy, religious beliefs, and countless other vagaries, that we forget that we don't always have to be judge and jury. Yes, this is a confection, borrowed wholesale from Dan Brown's novels as well as a whole heap of Illuminati/Templar/Mason tales. No, it is not a stunning example is great film making. But that doesn't mean we can't enjoy it.
  
  Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicholas Cage) is heir to a family of historians and archeologists. His grandfather has taught him that they are keepers of a great secret - the first clue to the location of a great treasure, collected by Templars, Masons, and Illuminati over the centuries. Originally hidden in Europe, it was transferred to our continent even as we started the wobbly road to becoming a nation and hidden carefully behind a maze of clues. Gates is a man possessed. With his assistant Riley Poole (Justin Bartha) and the help of master thief Ian Howe (Sean Bean), he solves the first clue. The map to the treasure is hidden on the back of a well-known document - The Declaration of Independence.
  
  Abandoned by Howe, Gates and Riley make their way back to civilization. After several efforts to alert authorities, the pair realized that the only was to save the Declaration of Independence from being stolen was to steal it themselves. So the first part of the film is an outrageous theft counter theft story in which not one, but two groups of thieves attempt the impossible. Gates succeeds by the skin of his teeth and, in the process, drafts Abigail Chase (Diane Kruger), the Declaration's keeper as a not quite willing accomplice.
  
  What follows is a combination a high-speed chase and a history lesson as Howe pursues Gates and the FBI pursues everyone. The film overplays its hand a bit, but manages to stay on the light story of this story of thieves and ladders. While the story is predictable, it has all the mysteries and cliffhangers you might want. And you have the bonus of visits to the other side of several famous monuments to the founding of the United States. The history lessons alone are worth the price of admission.
  
  The humorous dialog, lack of violence and bloodshed, and exciting action make this the perfect vehicle for displaying some interesting facts about our forefathers. Perfect for anyone who isn't terrified of the influence of the Illuminati.
  
  
• WHAT ITS SUPPOSED TO BE !
  By A21R0ZF0858JF8 on 2005-04-27
  THIS IS A MOVIE-IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ENTERTAINING AND PROVIDE A LITTLE SUSPENSION OF DISBELIEF AS IT WERE. ENJOY THE FILM MAN !!!! What the frick is wrong with all this critical analysis by people ? First of all, Dan Brown ripped off most books especially Holy Blood, Holy Grail and he only gisted theories present for years- so quit talking about Dan Brown and the Da Vinci Code when speaking of the Templars or any media that discusses the Templars or uses it as a basis for books and movies. Brown's NOVEL presents nothing new although I did love the Da Vinci Code - that said.......First the facts: (1) The Templars were the direct inheritors of the treasures under Herod's Temple in Jerusalem and became very wealthy, eventually melding into multiple esoteric orders from the Rosicrucians to the alleged Priori de Sion to modern Magick circles of Crowley / La Vey. (2)The Templars, post Crusades and after their destruction by the Pope in 1307, took their occult knowledge into Scotland and England where it took full bloom as what we know now as Speculative Freemasonry. (3) This country (USA) was built by forefathers all of whom were Freemasons seeking to break with the English Monarchy to form A NEW SECULAR ORDER based on democracy and the power of individuals and the brotherhood of man, therefore certain Masonic symbols are inside the US CAPITOL structure and layout, many ideas religious and otherwise were Masonic in origin. The possibility that American artifacts could contain symbols, codes and secret knowledge is not only possible but easily researched by COMPETENT researchers. (4) The Templar Treasure exists and some of that Treasure is symbolic or alchemical in nature and not necessarily gold and silver. (5) It is the Templar activities and that of their patrons, the alleged Priori de Sion, that have spread the Mary Magdalene / Jesus theories of Holy Blood Holy Grail, the Last Temptation of Christ, the Da Vinci Code and spread into movies such as The Last Crusade / Indiana Jones.
  So, the premise is a model for good screenplays and adventure movies and is fair game. It shocks me that so many find the issue shocking or silly----why ? because they do not do their homework or they swallow all the US / European history MYTHS shoved in our face since grade school ! Anyway, if we have to take everything literally, then how did Star Wars, Alien, Planet of the Apes, 2001 etc etc become a significant part of our culture--there is no freakin Aliens folks but the possibility scares the ......out of us deosn't it ? You bet !
  
  Enjoy a movie for its entertainment value and concede the possibility of the subject matter even if you perceive it as hokey..but let me assure you it is not hokey....it is based on established facts, conjecture and theories espoused by nutballs and scholars alike. You do not have to accept or believe in something to enjoy a movie. This movie delivers ! and it IS good clean fun long missing from the movies and books nowadays.
  
  Like Dan Brown--this is a fictional work or in Browns Case a non-fictional-based-near-factual-fictional-derivative --everybody freaks out every time somebody even challenges tradtional Christianity or world knowledge of secret ativities of powerful secret socieies. These are fictional and the minute we close our eyes to POSSIBILITIES in the world we slap even God in the face. And by the way, God can stick up for himself. I am a Christian myself and absolutely want National Treasure and the soon to be released Da Vinci Code movie in my library and DVD shelf. Awesome stuff !!! And neither of these shook up my faith either. JUST ENJOY THE FREAKIN MOVIE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  THE RANT PART: Hey you know what- if Jesus had kids...so what ( he still never sinned especially if he was virginal when married and he still could have sacrificed his life as a sin redemption - I am not sticking this in anyones face and saying to believe I am saying the Catholic Church and Fundamentalist Chrisitians of which I am one, have OVERREACTED to this stuff), if Royal Blood ideas trace themselves back to Jesus' and MM's children....so what ---does it change his divinity --not in my book.. also the Life Of Ben Franklin, Leonardo Da Vinci, Nicholas Flamel and Claude Debussy are a good start to your investigation. If you want to learn facts on George Washington, this country and the Templars you must close traditional history books and read qualified authors Ie. Piers Paul Reid, Malachi Martin, Umberto Eco and Zecheriah Sitchin, their work is astounding and will make you open your eyes to worlds more entertaining than National Treasure or Da Vinci Code - truth is stranger NO ---TRUTH IS BETTER THAN FICTION !!!! END OF RANT
  I'll say it again...just enjoy the ...... movie :) ITS GOOD MAN
  
  
• All in all, I really liked it
  By A214DG8Y09M3W9 on 2006-09-10
  I mean, it's not a movie that I would typically choose to watch myself, but my SO and the kids wanted to see it, so I agreed. It's kinda cute, little romance, little action, some bad acting by Nicholas Cage (but what else is new there?) and a little humor. Over the top in some places, but that's part of its charm.
  
  It's a decent family movie for parents of kids around 10-12 and up, and it's definitely not a waste of an hour or so, so if you're looking for something to watch on a lazy afternoon, this is a good choice.
  
  
• Intriguing idea, awful execution
  By A39AWL2FKWDFK6 on 2004-12-19
  In a word,........dreadful! Nicolas Cage should be embarrassed. Obviously neither he nor his agent read the script prior to signing on.
  
  This farce revolved around the theory believed by Cage, apparently a treasure seeker, and his family, that a treasure map existed on the back of the Declaration of Independence. This map would lead to the location of the National Treasure, an extensive hoard accumulated by the Knights Templar and Freemasons, and hidden from the British back in colonial times.
  
  Cage in an expedition in the Arctic uncovers a ship buried beneath the ice which holds a key to the mystery. The probe is financed by Sean Bean, who turns bad guy and tries to kill Cage and his exceedingly annoying sidekick, Justin Bartha. And so a race commences between Cage and Bean to steal the Declaration of Independence and ultimately uncover the treasure.
  
  Along the way, Cage recruits soon to be love interest, Diane Kruger, a head honcho working in the Archives.
  
  This flick seemed to attempt to copy a format popularized by Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom; swashbuckling hero, bimbo sidekick and blonde hanger on and love interest. Unfortunately it was geared for a four year old. The film was so corny that I rolled my eyes about ten time and glanced at the illuminated face of my watch a half a dozen times.
  
  
• National Treasure
  By on 2005-02-25
  I just have to say, if you are an action/adventure lover, you will like this movie as much as I did. Some people are always complaining about how unrealistic it is, but honestly, every movie you see is going to have something unreasonable. That's Hollywood!
  
  Our founding forefathers left us clues leading to an amazing treasure, from $100 dollar bills to the back of the Declaration of Independence. Ben has taken on the task of finding them with the help of his good friend Riley. Ben's father is against it, claiming that the treasure is a myth to lead people on a wild goose chase. Speaking of Chase, Dr. A. Chase is the woman that gets mixed up in the whole thing. (There always has to be a girl, doesn't there?) Ian, Ben's employer turned enemy, is now out for the treasure himself. And naturally the FBI is after Ben too, because he stole the declaration of Independence, so... the rest is up to you if you want to find out.
  I really like it because it was rated PG. I just get sick and tired of these action/adventure movies where the characters have bad mouths and there is other unpleasant stuff. If you like to go wholesome, yet exciting just the same, go for National Treasure.
  
  
• It's a "Movie", people!!!
  By AYNRYB9OK06P1 on 2005-04-11
  If you fancy yourself a refined movie critic or have any pretense of being highbrow or snootish..... then pass on this one. But if you like action, adventure, good guys and villians in your movies, then ignore the snobs and see National Treasure. Just remember to go into this film armed with the one fact that we all know ahead of time (but some people steadfastly refuse to acknowledge), "IT'S A MOVIE, IT ISN'T REALITY" and you'll have a great time.
  
  So just grab a cold soda, a bowl of popcorn and hang on. This thrill ride is good clean fun!
  
  
• As breezy and fun as a Disney ride with less wait
  By AQP1VPK16SVWM on 2005-04-30
  There's a difference between a cheesy popcorn movie and a breezy one. "National Treasure" falls into the latter category. "National Treasure" is a fun, quick paced film with a nice performance from Nicholas Cage that tips its hat to "Raiders of the Los Ark" and other adventure movies without borrowing from them. Turtletaub has made a movie that's fun for the whole family and doesn't resort to the cheap tricks that a lot of other adventure movies use to make its point.
  
  There's gold in them there hills and the founding fathers know where the treasure is buried. Cage plays Ben Gates who is in pursuit of a mythical treasure. Gates and his family have been looking for this treasure for years and he now believes that the final clue--a map--may be on the back of the Declaration of Independence. Unfortunately, Gates must compete against his former backer the ruthless Ian Howe (Sean Bean "The Lord of the Rings", "Troy", "Goldeneye")to obtain the information he needs.
  
  Filled with marvelous supporting turns from Jon Voight, Christopher Plummer, Harvey Keitel "National Teasure" despite its PG rating (more for violence and scary images)is great fun for kids and parents alike. While there's enough plot holes to drive a truck through and a number of implausible moments, director Jon Turteltaub recognizes (as Hitchcock did) that if the plot is involving, credible on the surface and breezy fun audience will overlook any minor flaws in a film. He does a great job directing the movie keeping the quick pace and witty dialogue flying.
  
  Extras include an alternate ending which didn't quite work for the movie. There's both a commentary from the director and a introduction by Turtletaub as well. We also see an animatic (a computer generated animation that suggests what the final scene will look like)for the opening sequence again with a brief intro by Turtletaub. The 12 minute featurette gives plenty of behind-the-scenes footage of one of the best action sequences. Most of the rest of featurette focuses on talking heads with the director, producer and actors discussing the production of the movie what they hoped to achieve. It's essentially a promo reel for the movie. There's also about 8 minutes of deleted scenes included as well. At the end of each extra there are clues given that will lead you to a "treasure" on the DVD. Once you have the master code you can click on the book in the corner to submit the secret key and get access to your "treasure". There's also a couple of additional worthwhile featurettes including one on "The Knights of Templar" and one entitled "Treasure Hunters Revealed" which I haven't had time to watch as of yet.
  
  "National Treasure" provides a fun diversion for fans of fast paced action films and, unlike most films from that genre, it's not cheesy action junk. The extras although not extensive are nice additions. Pay attention to the clues at the end of each action sequence and you'll get a chance at your own little "treasure".
  
  
  
  
• Excellent, clean movie for young and old alike!
  By A2TOX3E4WZ8BSQ on 2005-05-02
  Not one bad word, no blood, and a body count of one. Doesn't sound like much does it?
  
  Well, don't let this fool you. This movie is excellent. It proves that you don't need gratuitous violence, language and sex to make a movie exciting with adventure and action. Kudos to Walt Disney for bringing us an excellent movie that you can take your kids to see.
  
  The action moves at a brisk pace, never letting you catch your breath. The action is excellent and well executed and the acting and story are fabulous. The basic premise is that a group of men called the Masons were tasked with keeping vast amounts of treasure (now over 2,000 years old) out of the hands of people who would abuse it. The location of the treasure is unknown, but the Mason's have apparently left clues (such as the all-seeing eye on the 1 dollar bill) which eventually points to the Declaration of Independance as the location of a map. What transpires is an excellent movie that keeps your attention until the final scene.
  
  Nicholas Cage still has the ability to pull off a film like this with humor and wit and make it enjoyable and believable.
  
  There is shooting and one death in the movie which is probably the main reason this move is PG. The death is not graphic and it happens quickly.
  
  For children under 7, this film might be a little long in the tooth (131 minutes) for them and the story might move too fast for them to keep their attention. However, children over 7 (especially boys) will love this film. When my wife and I saw it, we weren't expecting much, especially when we saw all the children coming in. But, once the lights dimmed and the movie started, it was hard for my wife and I believe that this movie was that great.
  
  See it. It is worth it.
  
  
• Are we there yet? I'm hungry. This car smells weird.
  By A1GSR7RGCG1QYZ on 2005-05-25
  National Treasure was a failure as a film. While the monetary figures will not support this comment, I will say that upon viewing this film, it is nothing but accurate. From the clichéd story, to the cheap acting, to even the simplistic "clues" National Treasure proved that if you have a big named actor in the lead, some pre-high school history, and a powerhouse producer (and the big Pirates of the Caribbean passion) that you could literally sell a screen door on a submarine. What was the excitement behind this film? Why is there still a waiting list at my video store for this title? There was nothing of value from the beginning to end of this film that would ever cause the hysteria that I have seen so far. Nicolas Cage proves to the world that he is the male version of Marisa Tomei (questioning his choices after his deserved Oscar win), and that he has the ability to run, jump, and reason with the greatest of speed. Acting wasn't necessarily needed, just the ability to look smarter than one truly is.
  
  With my questions posed as to how the success of this film became a part of American cinema, I thought back to this film. The acting was atrocious. Nic Cage looked and acted just like a mannequin throughout this entire film. There was no range of emotion or excitement in anyway. His romantic involvement with Abigail Chase (Diane Kruger) was like watching two complete strangers try to build a passionate relationship in ten minutes. It was awkward, cheesy, and embarrassing for all those involved. Even the acting from the "comic relief" of the film, Cage's sidekick Riley Poole (Justin Bartha) seemed forced. His jokes didn't make me laugh once, but instead made me feel uneasy and cheated out of some hard earned cash plopped down for this film. To have a successful "action-adventure" film, you must have it firmly stapled with some decent acting. If big stars are only going to water down your film (as in the case of National Treasure), then you must find smaller stars and build upon the story. These are simple rules, which nobody in this production followed.
  
  With no acting in place, I was forced to watch the story unfold before my eyes. Actually, the story felt like a crumpled piece of paper thrown at me. There was no direction, no points for me to follow, but instead haphazard movement by our actors and director to keep the flow of the film in motion instead of becoming stale. Sadly, they were unable to do this. From the opening "clue" to the final one, there was little to no explanation as to why nobody else had found this treasure, or how local historians had never found the hidden artifacts scattered around hugely populated areas. I would understand if we were searching cornfields, but we were in metropolises and nobody discovered these clues until today. It was just rather unbelievable to me. I felt like this story was yelling at me. Violently forcing me to follow each clue without explanation, but out of sheer hope that something bigger would happen. I work better when there is some moment of "why" thrown into the mix. A moment that allows the viewers to think for themselves instead of being treated like children. After viewing this film, that was how I felt. I felt like I couldn't make my own decisions, but instead the power of Bruckheimer was forcing me to think in one way, and one way only. It hurt this film and upset me until the final credits arrived.
  
  Finally, I would like to say (because I am sure that most are upset with my dislike of this film) that another point that hurt this film was the lack of action. This movie is labeled as the next Indiana Jones, but if you grew up with the stories of Lucas and Spielberg, you will remember that they were action based. There were moments of realization, but there was much more action involved. I think more action incorporated into the National Treasure story would have helped it survive a bit longer than what it did. I wanted to see some traps set forth by our founding fathers, some ancient guards, or anything that would have lifted the lifeless plot that surrounded this film. My mother said that it just needed better bad guys, and I couldn't agree more. There wasn't that fire in Bean's eyes that you were accustomed to seeing in the Indy films. Nobody was tied up, nobody had a whip, and nobody was trying. Bruckheimer, you literally need to stop.
  
  Overall, I wasn't impressed with this Hollywood "hit". While most will argue that they thought it was the most impressive film they have seen in a long time (words that I have heard time and time again), I just thought that it never went to the next level. The cliché acting hurt this film dearly, while the story just never reached up and grabbed me. I never felt like Turtletaub (ummmmmm....Turtletaub) quite knew what he was getting himself into. He needed a stronger balance between action and adventure, and needed to allow us to make our own decisions instead of forcing his thoughts into our face. This film was a complete disrespect to our history, and I denounce it forever!
  
  Grade: * out of *****
  
  

• National Treasure 2 - Book of Secrets (Widescreen)
• Sahara (Widescreen Edition)
• National Treasures: Signs & Symbols of the U.S. Founding Fathers
• Signs [Blu-ray]
• The 6th Day [Blu-ray]