Hit – Starring Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Jon Voight, Harvey Keitel

Yes, this review is very late, but that’s only because with a movie like National Treasure it takes time to think on and ponder – to digest and understand. And also because I’m a slacker. Â

Anyway, on to the movie summary and subsequent commentary…Â

Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicholas Cage) is a treasure hunter, searching for the greatest treasure of all time. Over the centuries this treasure has been fought over, stolen, moved, stolen back, forgotten, remembered and moved again. (Although it seems none of it was ever used). Eventually this treasure was brought to the American Colonies where it was, again, hidden. And only the founding fathers knew where it was. They left clues hidden in letters, documents, items and even money on how to find it. But when they died those clues were forgotten and so the greatest treasure of all time was lost once more and simply put off as myth, legend and nonsense.Â

But not for Benjamin Franklin Gates. He believes. He’s always believed. And he’s vowed to find the treasure. He hooks up with Ian Howe (Sean Bean a.k.a. Boromir from LOTR) and together they find a clue that points to another clue as to the whereabouts of the treasure. But the clue is on the back of the Declaration of Independence! Boromir says, “let’s steal the Declaration of Independence and get the treasure!â€? Nicholas Cage says, “No, I can’t do that! It’s the Declaration of Independence.â€? So Boromir says, “I’m gonna steal it and you can’t stop me!â€? He gives Nick the finger and tries to blow him up. Â

Nicholas Cage survives and tries desperately to make someone listen to him about Boromir stealing the Declaration. But no one believes him because who could possibly steal one of the most protected documents in America? So, to stop Boromir from stealing it, Nicholas Cage steals it! Â

Then there’s some chases, escapes, a hot chick, a comedic sidekick, and some pretty cool clues that lead Nicholas Cage and his buddies closer to finding the treasure. All the while Boromir and his bad friends are hot on their heels. But in the end the good guys trick Boromir and send him on a wild goose chase. Nick and the good guys find the treasure, which is worth about 100 bazillion dollars, catch the bad guys and send them to jail and give the greatest treasure of all time over to museums and fun places like that. Oh, and Nicholas Cage gets the girl and lots of money. The end. Â

I thoroughly enjoyed National Treasure. It is what my friends would classify as “a Mike movie.â€? What that means is that they hated it and I liked it. But they’re always wrong when it comes to things like this. Â

Granted, if you go in expecting a movie that that will tug at your heart strings and make you ponder the existence of life…well, you’re gonna be disappointed. But if you go in looking to have some fun, see some stuff blow up, ride along on some wild car chases, have a few good laughs and see some pretty neat clue deciphering, then you will enjoy yourself and come out of the theatre with a smile. Â

Nick Cage pulls off the ostracized and oft laughed at treasure hunter Ben Gates with ease. And the lovely Diane Kruger (Troy) is great as the tough chick with an adventurous spirit and a heart of gold. They’ve got some pretty good on screen chemistry which just adds to enjoyment of the movie. Â

All in all I give National Treasure two thumbs up!Â

Bests Scene: The car chase through the streets of D.C. with Diane Kruger hanging off the door of a van. Â

Rated PG
Action/Adventure
Running Time: 1 hour 31 minutes

Photo © Touchstone Pictures. All Rights Reserved.