Review of National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007) by Johnny T — 08 Nov 2013

National Treasure: the Book of Secrets is an absurd adventure, but its absurdity is wacky and warmhearted. You have to suspend your disbelief, but so what? National Treasure: the Book of Secrets delivers on what it sets out to be: lively and cagey. Director Jon Turteltaub has fun with Indian glyphs, giant stone pulleys, and an Indy Jones-worthy City of Gold located beneath the rocky shoals of Mount Rushmore. This American history-themed action thriller doesn't get many points for realism, but it makes up ground in so many other areas that you probably won't care. It's a measure of the film's infectious goofiness that Cage seems altogether more interested in clearing the name of a long-dead ancestor than in finding a city of gold. National Treasure: Book of Secrets is a pretty typical blockbuster sequel, focused intently on appeasing what it thinks the audience wants, and missing out on what it takes to make a truly good movie. If you can set aside the movie's countless flaws and just go to watch a stupid mindless movie, then you are good to go with this film. The result is a mostly entertaining trifle that really could use a little less action and little more introspection.

VERDICT: "In The Zone" - [Mixed Reaction] These kinds of movies are usually movies that had some good things, but some bad things kept it from being amazing. This rating says buy an ex-rental or a cheap price of the DVD to own. If you consider cinema, ask for people's opinion on the film... (Films that are rated 2.5 or 3 stars).