National Treasure - many of song has sung - themes on finding home.

Rating: Null/10 (23 November 2004)

Some spoiler material. National Treasure is really a socially driven film, documenting Nic Cage's quest as Ben Franklin Gates, to reclaim the family name and declare independence, by tracking down the legacy of long lost treasure, associated with his family heritage, and with some of the proceeds, buys an estate of his own, in the company of a most lovely lady, Abigail Chase, (Diane Kruger). This film is really about Nic and not Ben, but I am o.k. with that, as long as I accept it for what it is, rather than what it isn't. The title National Treasure peaked my interest, since I wanted to know what Disney's interpretation as to what the National Treasure actually was. I was telling my pretend children that National Treasure is not gold or material possessions, but that National Treasure is your spirit and the love in your heart. I told them that each and every one of us make up the total of National Treasure. Nevertheless, I still wanted to see the movie, so on a Monday morning, after numerous transfers and holds, with Microsoft's Technical Support helpline, I was hoping that National Treasure would be just as productive as an afternoon, at a slow moving, but informative teacher/business seminar. Seminars are great for those people on the payroll who can spend the time with it. Likewise, I recommend this movie to only people who can and want to spend the time.
The film begins in Washington D.C., in 1974, with John Adam Gates(Christopher Plummer), as Ben's grandfather, telling little Ben (Hunter Gomez) about the family legacy, of hidden treasure that was smuggled from Europe to America. It was sacred to the Masons and Knights Templar. When you see the size of the alleged treasures, you think, who could have possibly stored them, where they were, without anyone getting word of it. That part is funny. But if we can continue on with the legend, a key element was that the treasure had to be protected from British invaders. But then I am thinking. Why just the British? Don't segment a possible threat. Protect the treasure from any and all possible dangers, one's that might be worse than just a British invasion.
Jerry Bruckheimer, as most known producer, can start checking off his list, 'created enough action, suspense, near death experience, including explosions, with A-list star, Nic Cage. High class, black tie social event  done. Retail shopping experience, with woman  completed.' All of Nic's action stuff, moves at a snappy, groovin' and cycloptic pace, with his goal of not only wanting to be the hero, but the realization that he is the hero, as he moves with stealth, to capture the physical treasure, to compliment, that which already resides in his heart. Ben's assistant Riley, (Justin Bartha) is an intellectual easy go with the flow admirer, to the action hero. Together, they approach Abigail Chase, a pretty, hold her own, seeming unattended to, maybe even a little dusty, Washington D.C. archivist.
Ben introduces himself to Abigail, as Paul Brown. He tells her that there is an invisible treasure map, on the back of the Declaration of Independence. She is in disbelief and he walks away deciding that he must steal the map, with Riley's help, in order to find the buried treasure, reclaiming the Gates family name and satisfying his curious needs.
Of course, one of Ben's partners, Ian Howe (Sean Bean) turns 'bad guy'on him, fighting to claim the treasure for himself. So the chase plays out between good guys, bad guys, and the damsel in distress, Abigail, who is tossed in the mix, for good measure and of course, romance. ' Check  romance completed, including, unexpected hero/heroine kiss.'
John Voight, as Patrick Gates, Ben's Dad, plays the treasure hunter retiree very well. As a widower, we only wish that he had a lady friend, as to not make him look so dour. Harvey Keital, (Sadusky) equally, does a nice job playing out the cop role, reminding Ben, a little too often that 'Someone has got to go to jail for stealing the Declaration of Independence.' Certainly not Ben/Nic, but Sadusky needles him, nevertheless.
I am actually disappointed that there actually is a tomb, 'Beneath Parksville Lane,' in Boston, what looks to be a collection of international proportion, of historical treasures from Rome to Egypt. It looks like Disney's old prop and stage storage closet. From the audience's view, it all appears a little too fake, corn ball, and odd ball. I was hoping for a more symbolic treasure, like that of Dan Brown's in, The Da Vinci Code. Maybe Ben, named himself Brown, after Dan, pretending to be his brother. I do not have the answers. I just like to make-up stuff. With some of the proceeds from the treasure sale, Ben buys his country estate for Abigail and him, and Riley, with the prospect of more action work in front of him, settles on the red sports car, what looks to be something like a Dodge viper. I think some of the bruised British egos would have laughed if the film shot Ben's and Abigail's country estate wedding. Then, the movie really would have come full circle and Jerry could have checked off his list, 'touch of British charm and modesty  completed.'
The clues for the treasure hunt are well established, like those I recall from my childhood Birthdays, and in the end, Ben, Riley, and Abigail are awarded prizes. Yeah! That is nice. Maybe the film should have been called Ben Gate's Birthday Party  everyone's invited, even the mean kids. As you can see, I have mixed emotions on the male driven process, to which Nic feels he has to or wants to act out, in order to achieve the underlying theme of love, peace, and capturing the girl's heart, or being captured in the heart, by the girl. Really, Disney could have saved loads of money by making a deal with HG t.v.  Hollywood Stars Go House Hunting. Nic could be the guest star and the show could insert clips of Valley Girl, probably my all-time favorite teen movie, (even then, I was more like the guy, punk guy that is, rather than the cream lacy bloused girl, who had totally cool parents, and was adored by the boys, including the lead star. I had the short hair cut, style, and family gone wrong. I guess that is why I identified with his awkwardness and out of place, as so charming.) and a few other retro-feel Cage films, to personalize the segment. The Star House Hunting program would be a less timely and a more accessible form of programming, for those people who do not have the time to do the seminar format, like myself.
At the film's conclusion, I was sentimentally sad, since Jerry seemed to be like an overworked Jewish man, turned Santa, checking off all the tasks to accomplish on his list. I guess that was the only way to ensure all presents were sent and received. Cormac and and Marianne Wibberley were like Santa's elves, assembling just the right Christmas gifts. Yeah! Maybe Jerry, crew and cast should read John Grisham's Skipping Christmas book. I have not read it, but I am sure that it must hold some relevancy to the feeling of Christmas burn-out. In my mind, I make up my own imaginary ending, with Jerry and cast, in front of the estate, waving and saying, 'Merry Christmas to All, and to all a good night,' with winks and sparkles in their eyes.