For
generations the Gates family has been looking for a fabled treasure
hidden by the Founding Fathers of the United States of America
and now
Benjamin Franklin Gates (Cage) thinks he might have cracked
the only clue to its existence. The clue however leads him to
the collusion that the map to the treasure is located on the
back of the Declaration of Independence. This revelation means
that to read the map he will have to steal one of the most closely
guarded national exhibits before a rival team gets their hands
on it or the FBI get wind of the planned heist.
When it
comes to producing big budget popcorn movies, no one does it
better than Jerry Bruckheimer but can National Treasure keep
up his reputation? As a big action spectacle that keeps you
entertained for its slightly over long 131 minutes, the film
definitely keeps Bruckheimer's reputation intact. Combining
action, a heist, a history lesson and archaeology, National
Treasure tries to be the new Indiana Jones for the 21st century.
While it might not have the magic of the adventures of the man
with the hat and whip,
it does succeed in creating a sense of adventure and intrigue
that will keep you enthralled for the duration. It is the story
that draws you in. This is an intriguing and quite ingenious
tale that successfully draws on America's history by incorporating
the
Founding Fathers and many of the country's national monuments
and documents. The writers create a plausible premise by merging
it with the elaborate,
making the foundations of what America was built on, a scheme
to hide a priceless treasure that has existed since the time
of the Egyptian Pharaohs.
With the
answer to each clue giving you another part of the puzzle, the
story is revealed to you at the same time as the characters,
so you are
putting the pieces together at the same time as they do. This
makes the movie very watchable and entertaining. Nicolas Cage
steps into the role of treasure hunter Benjamin Franklin Gates
with ease, rekindling his creative relationship with Bruckheimer
that had served them so well in hits like Con Air and The Rock.
This is a character that Cage can play in his sleep but he still
manages to make Gates very
watchable and charismatic. He makes the premise more believeable
as he delivers his lines with his usual gusto, which adds to
the films validity, even if the plot does feel a little far-fetched
at times.
Current flavour of the month Diane Kruger stars in her third
mainstream Hollywood feature of 2004, after Troy and Wicker
Park. The German actress has just the right look to get on in
Tinseltown but she can also act as well, making Abigail Chase
not just another damsel in distress. Justin Bartha gets his
big break as techie Riley Poole. This is the character that
provides most of the comedic lines of the piece and Bartha delivers
them extremely well.
The three leads have some good support on their adventure. Sean
Bean is again cast as the villain of the piece in a role that
Hollywood just loves
him playing.
As this is a family movie, we don't get to see the cruel and
vicious Sean Bean that we usually get but a man driven by greed
and glory, who will do almost anything to get it. Jon Voight
is also good as Ben
Gates's father, Patrick, the only sceptic of the Gates clan
who has seen generations of his family waste their lives looking
for something he is sure
that doesn't exist. Harvey Keitel is slightly wasted as FBI
agent Sadusky, as he seems like he is there just to pick up
a paycheque and not much else. There is also a small put noticeable
cameo by the great Christopher Plummer.
National Treasure is another fine popcorn movie from Jerry Bruckheimer.
This might not be life changing stuff but it is very enjoyable
with a good
premise and some very likeable performances that make it very
good throwaway entertainment.
Star Rating = * *
*
PICTURE & SOUND
Presented
in Widescreen 2.35:1 Anamorphic with of Dolby Digital 5.1, the
transfer is extremely good. The crystal clear picture brings
the treasure-hunting world of Benjamin Franklin Gates to life
vividly on screen. The sound quality is also good as the action
adventure fills the speakers.
BONUS FEATURES
National Treasure
on Location (11.20 mins)
Director Jon Turteltaub, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, director
of photography Caleb Deschanel, production designer Norris Spencer,
visual effects producer Kathy Chasen-Alay and stars Nicholas
Cage, Diane Kruger, Jon Voight, Harvey Keitel and Sean Bean
take you on location with 'National Treasure'. The featurette
takes you behind the scenes of the boat explosion, the catacombs,
car chase, Washington D.C., Independence Hall and the opening
sequence as
the cast and crew talk about the premise, stunts and the characters
of the film.
Deleted Scenes (7.51
mins)
With an introduction by director Jon Turteltaub, these two deleted
scenes entitled 'Thomas and the President' and 'Extended Shaft
sequence' don't
really add much to the movie and you can understand why they
were removed.
Opening Sequence
Animatic (2.50 mins)
Watch the original design for the opening sequence in animated
storyboard and basic computer animation
Alternative Ending
(1.50 mins)
Watch the original ending for 'National Treasure' that wasn't
quite as grandiose as the theatrical release.
Hidden Features
Solve the puzzle to unlock even more bonus features for 'National
Treasure'.
Trailers
Previews of 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy', 'The Incredibles'
and 'The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement'
OVERALL
For a Jerry
Bruckheimer movie the amount of extras is a bit poor. The featurette
and deleted scenes are too short and their isn't enough information
about the treasure itself. Having to solve puzzles to open up
more features is also frustrating for the viewer who just wants
to watch the bonus material, making this a very average release.
