Good and Dumb, Mindless Fun

Rating: 7/10 (23 January 2005)

Sometimes it doesn't matter how much history, thought and plot clichés you add to a film, it can come out to be just a dumb movie great for watching just for fun. National Treasure is one of these. It really doesn't accomplish too much as far as a thinking thriller movie, but now that I have the bad stuff out of the way...
Nicolas Cage plays Ben Gates (LOL!), a treasure hunter out to find loads of goodies hidden by our very own founding fathers. Turns out the clues are held in the back of the Declaration of Independence, but not before the bad guy (the always mean-looking Sean Bean) can get there first. Now add some 007 action to this Raiders of the Lost Ark feel, perhaps a touch of The Goonies, blend in a little romance with lovely Diane Kruger, and *Poof*! You've got instant action/thriller comedy.
What surprises me the most of NT is that it's kid safe. No cursing, no graphic violence, no sex or nudity references, and yet, it FEELS like it should be that type of movie. Being a Disney film and all, it still had to get a PG rating, but they did a bang up job for a holiday film. Just don't go in expecting out of this world thriller and you'll be fine. And bring the kids. The movie just oozes a new ride at Disney. (I hope that doesn't happen :)
6.5 out of 10, but we don't do halves here at IMDb, now, do we? A 7, then.