Review of National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007) by Allen G — 17 Feb 2013

So take the original and somehow make it more improbable then throw in a huge chunk of America-love (Shut up 'bout Lincoln already people!) and you have this. It has it's pluses though- Cage gets a little crazy. which is beautiful, and there's some new talent in the forms of Helen Mirren and Ed Harris (new to the franchise of course, not to acting, duh.) it also retains the occasional comedy that was also prevalent in the first National Treasure and there is no one missing from the original cast.

Sadly though, it also retains the storyline but changes a few words here and there. I call this the Nicolas Cage Syndrome, it's all the same movie over again but with a few words changed- the clothes don't even change or anything, just a few words. I forgive Cage though because I love him (like a dad or brother or sexual partner or whatever) and because he also has awesome movies in between but I certainly don't need to forgive this sequel.

I give it some leeway with it being a family film and all just as I did for the first one but as a sequel there are other expectations and this fails to meet them. The pros of a strong cast and a crazier Nic Cage do not make up for the fact that this is just a photocopy of the first in the series.