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National Treasure
Learn US History from Nicolas Cage.

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Sean Bean, Harvey Keitel, Jon Voight, Christopher Plummer
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Screenwriters: Jim Kouf, Cormac Wibberley, Marianne Wibberley

Reviewed by Chris Ching

"Didja ever look at a dollar bill, man? There's some spooky s**t goin' on there."

So spoke the perpetually stoned Slater in the the 1993 classic Dazed and Confused. While his words were uttered through a bilious pot haze, they actually ring true. Atleast that's what the makers of National Treasure would have you think.

Ben Gates (Nicholas Cage) gets 3rd place in the 8th Annual Pigeon/Human Fun Run.

This fun, suspense filled action adventure links the "spooky" dollar bill with the Declaration of Independence and other Americana icons into a US History Class Field Trip from Hell with Indiana Jone... uh Nicolas Cage... tracking down treasure hidden by the Founding Fathers.

Harrison Ford may never again bust out his fedora and bullwhip, but the spirit (if not the artistic cachet) of the Indy Trilogy is alive and well in National Treasure. Cage's treasure seeker Ben Gates has a lot in common with the respected Dr. Jones: spunky girlfriend, comic relief producing sidekick, even a crotchety Pop who Ben has a crap relationship with. Treasure also raids The Lost Ark with its seemingly endless series of dilemmas for our hero to negotiate without a moment to catch his (and our) breath.

Oh, did I mention the chases, nifty riddles, and dark, hidden tunnels? Positively Indy-an.

National Treasure is incredibly derivative, but it's also a fun ride and - dare I say it? - full price worthy. The heist of the Declaration of Independence is a beaut, and the "literal" money shot at the film's climax (hehe) definitely delivers.

Continuing his winning streak with Adaptation and Matchstick Men, Cage is at his loopy best. Diane Kruger who didn't have much to do in Troy except look beautiful finally gets her chance to prove she's more than a pretty face. And Justin Bartha gets laughs as the voice of reason in all the action movie histrionics. Together, these three make an appealing team, and I left the theatre hoping for a sequel.

Rating:

(3 out of 4 stars)

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