Excellent but underrated film

Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

I watch a lot of documentaries but there's only one I go back to time and time again and get the same joy I got watching it the first time...And that's National Treasure.Nicolas Cage sweeps all this time! He looks especially manly in this one. Riley, his computer genius pal is HILARIOUS! And Abigail, hubba hubba!It's a miracle documentary. Full of miracles. 10/10 IGN

With 4th of July celebrations, just around the corner, as of this writing. I thought, that this would be, the best time, to dig deep into, one of my favorite films, to watch on Independence Day; "National Treasure'. Directed by Jon Turteltaub & Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. This Disney movie tells the story of treasure hunter, Ben Gates (Nicholas Cage) on his quest to find the hidden Templar treasure of American Freemason, whom he believe, hid cryptography clues on the back of the Declaration of Independence. To prove this conspiracy theory to be true, he must hatch a plan to steal the document, and pull off the heist of the century to find the treasure. Without spoiling the movie, too much, the film can be best described as 2006's 'The Da Vinci Code', 2001's 'Ocean 11" & 1981 "Raiders of the Lost Ark', all roll over into one. While, the treasure hunting plot is bit ridiculousness in the reasons, why Gates must steal the document first, in order to protect it, from being stolen. I do have to say, the treasure hunt is still entertaining. This movie truly surprised me in how smart & fun, the problem-solving is, even in how much artistic liberties, it takes with real-life history like locations and historic people. I did not expect it, to be so good, seeing how the last family friendly treasure hunting movie, 2004's TV movie, 'The Librarian: Quest for the Spear', I saw before this, had a dumb down 'call of adventure'. Perhaps the most exciting thing about this movie is the idea that family films can be sophisticated, and still be appropriate for a general audience. This movie is prove that smart, live action, adventure PG films, are still possible. Still, it is necessary to suspend your disbelief, when it comes to idea of the young nation having a secret Templar treasure. The idea of the Founding Fathers hoarding money is truly unrealistic implausible, even for fantasy sakes; seeing how in real-life, the main masonic lodge was in Britain, and the young nation of USA was bankrupted, during the American Revolution and stay poverty-stricken, even long after it, due to trade restricted and war debts. Nevertheless, nobody should take this movie as a legit American History lecture. After all, it is an action adventure. However, the movie does fail in, delivered the action, in the adventure part. While, the treasure hunting and heist parts is fine and dandy, the action involving on foot and high speed car chases through the streets of Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, falls to be memorable. I hardly remember, any of it. While, those parts, wouldn't be, a 'National Treasure', the good production value and star power does work for the film. Nicolas Cage as Ben Gates, has the right amount of craziness and believability to make, the audience take his character, somewhat serious. The film could had, quickly fallen apart, if he over acted, a little bit more. Thank God, he took this role, very seriously. Nice to see him, take some control. This is pretty rare. Also, the chemistry between his character and sidekick Riley Poole (Justin Batha) was somewhat believable, as well. While, some of the jokes between them, fall flat, I really don't mind, hearing each other, argue, how crazy, their ideas, are. Even, the vocal fights with Jon Voight's character, Patrick Gages was fine for the most part. I just wish, Voight didn't chew up all the scenery, as much. That's Cage's job. Cages parrying with Diane Kruger's sexy-intellectual portrayal of Dr. Abigail Chase was also pretty good. However, I doubt, they would be, lovely dovely, so quick, after only a few days, together. Nevertheless, surprisingly, it was the villains that didn't stand out for me. I totally forgot that actor, Sean Bean was in his film as Ian Howe. Maybe, because it's one of the rare films, in which, the character that Bean plays, doesn't die. Fortunately, the cat-and-mouse game between Nicolas Cage and Sean Bean was not even close in suspense, as I couldn't buy into Howe catching up to Gates. In the end, Gates was just in, a league of his own. Nevertheless, while, the movie lacks suspense. The pacing does work, quickly. Even if, the flow seem a little too structure. Despite that, I do have to say, the music that goes with the film, by composer, Trevor Rabin was rather good. It really gets you, into the sense of looking for buried treasure. Overall: National Treasure is an exciting, engrossing adventure flick that needs to be watch. One worthy of watching on Independence Day!

I've heard tales about archaeology professors who insist on opening their first lectures with the following words: "Indiana Jones has nothing to do with real archaeology!" And I like to imagine that at that point about half of their pupils get up and leave, with their little hearts broken. But can you really blame them. Indiana Jones made archaeology and history cool, as well as romantic. We traipsed along the pages of history with good old Indy, learning a nugget of information here and there. Keeping that in mind, I wasn't at all surprised that this film became such a success. We've yearned for another Indiana Jones movie for decades, even more so after the disappointment that was the fourth film.And make no mistake, this is an Indiana Jones film at its heart. Sure, Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) is his own man, but there are a lot of similarities to a certain fedora-wearing globetrotter. Both men of history, highly-educated, with multiple distinctive talents under their belts. Both men of action, who have the wits to out-think all their opponents.But, the films are also dissimilar enough. This film takes place in the modern day and chooses to focus on American history. More specifically the Founding Fathers and the supposed Knights Templar treasure hidden by them to keep it from being abused and stolen. The film also focuses more on the mystery and puzzle solving than any of the Indy films. The treasure is hidden well and it takes a truly knowledgeable man to solve all the clues. And I really like that. I was hooked from the very first riddle.It's also surprisingly well-acted. This is very much my favourite Nicolas Cage film. He plays the character very straight, very serious, with almost none of his usual antics, and the man can really act when he wants to. The supporting actors aren't bad either, with special mention of course going to the esteemed Sean Bean, who manages not to die for once in a movie.This is a must see film for all fans of adventure and especially Indiana Jones. It's the spiritual successor of one of the greatest adventure trilogies ever made and I hope they keep making them.

National Treasure (2004) is Nicolas Cage's best solid performance for an outstanding role of his character Benjamin Franklin Gates! This movie become very popular in 2004 and it got a sequel. I am still waiting for third sequel but I doubt there will National Treasure 3. This is also the best one of the two films in the franchise. The adventure and action in this movie is perfect executed. This film is about a treasure hunt that whole life Benjamin Gates (Nicolas Cage) was hunting, now a team of mercenary's who betrayed Gates are trying to steal Declaration of Independence from museum which is the lead and final clue to a treasure hidden somewhere in the country. I love how Benjamin (Nicolas Cage) is trying to convince and warning the authorities about Ian's plans but they don't listen to him. So Benjamin and his only loyal friend Riley Poole (Justin Bartha) has to steal the Declaration of Independence so they can protect it from Ian (Sean Bean). What I love about this film is the plot, the acting, the cast, well decent character development and a good fun action. This is my third favorite Nicolas Cage film and I love it to death!Plot: Benjamin Franklin Gates descends from a family of treasure-seekers who've all hunted for the same thing: a war chest hidden by the Founding Fathers after the Revolutionary War. Ben's close to discovering its whereabouts, as is his competition, but the FBI is also hip to the hunt.That is the basic plot, it also does involves FBI chasing Benjamin and Riley beside Ian. Beautiful gorgeous sexy German actress Diane Kruger who was playing Dr. Abigail Chase did a perfect job playing her character, I haven't even noticed that she has an accent in this film. I love the music theme from Trevor Rabin for this film. This movie is awesome, It's the most thrilling treasure movie I ever seen. It keeps you excited there's humor and action. I recommend this movie to anyone who likes a good action movie with a few laughs and adventure around it. It isn't Indiana Jones - Raiders of the Lost Ark, but a great movie along those lines none the less. I love all 4 Indiana Jones movies with Harrison Ford but I still think National Treasure is original and it is not violent or scary movie. You also have a likable cast with humor and surrounded with history around you. Jon Voight as Ben's estrange father also did a good job portraying his character Patrick Gates. Harvey Keitel was great as FBI Agent Peter Sadusky chasing Gates on his trip. The last actor I really had fun watching him was Sean Bean as the bad guy in his role as Ian Howe. I love Nicolas Cage and some of his films, but my favorite films are Con Air, The Rock and this one and National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007). I really did enjoy this film Nicolas Cage does a wonderful acting job, it is his decent acting performance. Today Nicolas Cage wastes his talent on junk movies, just like Steven Seagal and Eddie Murphy and they don't care about there fans. I love this movie and for my self I like history, this is one movie I really did enjoy watching because this movie is about history. The facts: I don't think there is really a map on the Declaration of Independence, I think they just made that up for the entertainment. But still this is intense film, still I love that you can see a lot of history museums in this movie. I reminds me when I was last year in high school I went on class tour 2007 to visit Museums in Munich, Germany (Deutsches Museum Verkehrszentrum), it was an awesome class trip and It was the same year National Treasure 2 come out. I really miss those times. Overall: Special effects are great and thoroughly entertaining movie. This is a bad ass action adventure flick with great original story, interesting intense plot with lots of action that are all well done! This was a blind buy on Blu-ray for me and I have watched the film three times already! It is a decent solid Nicolas Cage flick MILES way better than Face/Off (1997) and other trash movies Cage is doing today! Raiting I am giving is a 10/10. National Treasure is a 2004 American adventure heist film produced and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It was written by Jim Kouf, Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, and The Wibberleys, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, and directed by Jon Turteltaub. It is the first film in the National Treasure franchise.10/10 Grade: Bad Ass Seal Of Approval Studio: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Starring: Nicolas Cage, Harvey Keitel, Jon Voight, Diane Kruger, Sean Bean, Justin Bartha, Christopher Plummer Director: Jon Turteltaub Producers: Jerry Bruckheimer, Jon Turteltaub Screenplay: Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Cormac Wibberley, Marianne Wibberley Story by Jim Kouf, Oren Aviv, Charles Segars Rated: PG Running Time: 2 Hr. 11 Mins. Budget: $100,000,000 Box Office: $347,451,894