Most pleasant surprise of the year

Rating: 8/10 (22 November 2004)

I must admit, I was cautious about this movie after not being impressed by recent Disney live-action presentations, some initial poor reviews, very low-profile trailers and a single-screen opening at the local multiplex. Above all though, my main concern was Jerry Bruckheimer. Surely this was going to be yet another intriguing plot dumbed down to mediocre action flick for mainstream audiences?
I'm pleased to say I was wrong. National Treasure is one of the smartest movies I've seen in a while - yet is a typical Bruckheimer action-adventure at the same time! Here's a movie that's good clean action fun for the kids yet the adults will get a kick out of too. This is pure escapism - make sure you suspend all disbelief before entering the theater - yet there's a few political and social comments slipped in. Before you even start to think how the scriptwriters managed to combine all these to get a movie that appeals to all, you'll have spent a very enjoyable 100 minutes in the theater.
Nicolas Cage seems to have found an ideal niche in this movie that should suit him as he ages. His character is socially awkward and not in any great physique for action sequences - in many ways he reminded me very much of Cary Grant in "regular guy in unusual situations" roles, such as North By Northwest. I hope Cage gets more roles like this, his performance here is yet another of the movie's pleasant surprises. The rest of the roles are as expected, Justin Bartha as the stereotype goofy sidekick, likewise Diane Kruger as the eye candy - both do their tasks admirably without making you think this is a "formula" movie. Sean Bean is suitably menacing as the villain, although as ever is considerably under-utilized, as is Jon Voight as Cage's despairing father. Both could have done with more screen time, but the pace of the script and Turteltaub's direction doesn't allow that luxury. There's some very sharp camera work too giving a familiar look to the crucial sequences - look for homages to "Mission Impossible", "Raiders of the Lost Ark", and even Hitchcock thrillers.
The ensemble comes together to become one of the most appealing action adventures in recent years, with something in here for everyone. I hope scriptwriters look carefully at this movie to see exactly how this is possible, and learn exactly how to produce a movie that can appeal to all demographics. Its top box office on opening weekend is well deserved, something I hope it can keep up over the holiday season and in a DVD release. This is one of the few movies in recent years that has kept me smiling all the way to the car.
Eight out of ten. I'd love to give it more, but I have one small gripe about the movie. There's a few instances of product placement in there that became somewhat distracting - the first couple of instances didn't impact on me too terribly, but one in particular stands out as it occurs in the same scene as some of the movie's best dialog. If you manage not to notice what laptop computer the heroes use, what car they drive, or what brand of bottled water they "randomly" pick up, then more power to you. Nevertheless, this is an excellent movie for everyone. Go out there and enjoy it the way movies are meant to be enjoyed.