Less engrossing than its 2004 predecessor National Treasure, Jon Turteltaub's busy sequel National Treasure: Book of Secrets is nevertheless a colorful and witty adventure, another race against overwhelming odds for the an... more »swer to a historical riddle. Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage), the treasure hunter who feverishly sought, in the first film, the whereabouts of a war chest hidden by America's forefathers, is now charged with protecting family honor. When a rival (Ed Harris) offers alleged proof that Gates' ancestor, Thomas Gates, was not a Civil War-era hero but a participant in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Ben and his father (Jon Voight) and crew (Justin Bartha, Diane Kruger) hopscotch through Paris, London, Washington DC, and South Dakota to gather evidence refuting the claim. The film is most fun when the hunt, as in National Treasure, squeezes Ben into such impossible situations as examining twin desks in the queen's chambers in Buckingham Palace and the White House's Oval Office, or kidnapping an American president (Bruce Greenwood) for a few minutes of frank talk. Helen Mirren, the previous year's Oscar winner for Best Actress, wisely joins the cast of a likely hit film as Ben's archaeologist mother, long-estranged from Voight's character but as feisty as the rest of the family. Returning director Turteltaub takes excellent advantage of his colorful backdrops in European capitals and the always-eerie Mount Rushmore, and oversees some wildly imaginative sets for this dramedy's feverish third act in an audacious and completely unexpected, legendary setting. If National Treasure: Book of Secrets doesn't feel quite as crisp and unique as its predecessor, it is still ingenious and wry enough to laugh a bit at itself. --Tom Keogh Stills from National Treasure: Book of Secrets (click for larger image)« less
Melody M. from TIMBERLAKE, NC Reviewed on 7/25/2011...
Wonderful movie!;)
1 of 4 member(s) found this review helpful.
Edna H. (tessiss) from HUDSON, NY Reviewed on 2/22/2011...
did not always like nicholas cage but recently he is one of my favorites an i love this series
2 of 5 member(s) found this review helpful.
Carina D. from LAUREL, MD Reviewed on 1/14/2010...
Another exciting adventure, chasing down a bit of history. Watching this is kind of like watching a James Bond flick, without all the completely "over-the-top" stuff (that I, personally, find annoying and distracting). If you enjoy routing for the "good guys," with all of the accompanying suspense and anticipation of "will they win," you'll love this movie. I loved it, it's exciting enough to hold one's interest without being too intense or discouraging!
2 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Cara F. (dichten) from PRT WASHINGTN, WI Reviewed on 12/8/2009...
All the main characters from the first movie have returned with a host of problems: strained if not broken romances, failed book launches and IRS repossessions -- and a severe accusation against the Gates family name, a black market dealer implicating Ben's great-great-grandfather as a (if not the) mastermind behind Abraham Lincoln's assassination.
So begins a fast-paced and humorous, nail-biting adventure (around our nation, into Europe and back again) to clear the name of Thomas Gates. In these efforts, Ben & Company uncover secret clues leading to a long fabled city of gold.
This is a wonderful family movie with sweeping action for the kids and substance for the adults, a true hold-your-breath roller-coaster ride of a film.
I greatly enjoyed this movie. This is a keeper, for sure.