National Treasure
The latest film from uber-producer Jerry Bruckheimer is an adventurous treasure hunt through American history and the East Coast. This is a popcorn flick to be sure, but it's a fun one for people who know what movies to not take seriously and just let unfold on the screen.
I've always liked Nic Cage as an action hero. He's an A list novie star to be sure, but he continues to take less prestigeous roles in order to maintain some cred. But he's still gotta pay the bills, no here we go. Cage is Benjamin Franklin Gates (groan #1) who's family has been keeper of a secret and a vow to protect the famed treasure of the Knights Templar for hundreds of years. He finally tracks down the first clue to the treasure's location on a old boat frozen in the arctic circle. That clue points to an invisible map on the back of the Declaration of Independence, when Gates refuses to steal it, he's double-crossed by his unscrupulous partner Ian (the forever cool Sean Bean). So to stop Ian from stealing the Dec o' Ind, he must steal it (groan #2). He's got a sidekick Riley (Justin Bartha) and a hottie Abigail Chase (Diane Kruger) to help out. The Declaration leads to Philly for some old Ben Frank Original Glasses, then to NY to an old church. There are many hijinks and twisties along the way. Plus the FBI! Fun for all!
The story is interesting and believable. It's the the intuitive leaps Gates takes to get between the clues that had me shaking my head (groan #3). The action sequences are not overdone which is kinda refeshing in the day of "look how big this explosion is!" Hollywood. The cast is above average with Cage, Bean and Bartha keeping it real and Kruger redeeming her weak performance in Troy (for which I ripped her). Almost thrown away is Harvey Keitel as the FBI guy and the always craptastic Jon Voight (groan #4 ...has he ever made a good film?...look at his resume, The Karate Dog!?!?! wait click that link! a film with Mr. Miyagi, Jamie Pressly, and the voice of Chevy Chase!?!?! How have I not seen this yet?!?)
Overall, I liked this film, there's nothing wrong with a groan or 4. And it's kid friendly fun. Let's just call it the slightly retarded son of Indiana Jones and the Devinci Code.
The Sneaky Cheetah's Grade: B
1 comment:
You can't knock Jon Voight punk....obviously you haven't seen Midnight Cowboy, Heat ,Deliverance, Manchurian Candidate (new),The Champ, Rainmaker to name a few.
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