A Roller-Coaster Ride Through History (Real and Imagined)

Rating: 8/10 (30 June 2007)

"National Treasure" is the kind of movie that made movie-goers (at least this one) think of "Raiders of the Lost Ark," and it presaged "The Da Vinci Code" by a year. If you haven't seen this before, here's the story; it's not easy, and it's convoluted (with a potential for spoilers, so be prepared). The last living signer of the Declaration of Independence is dying, and he tries to get to Washington to see the President, but it's raining, it's late, Andrew Jackson is out somewhere, and Thomas Carroll tells his coach-tiger, a boy named Thomas Gates, a secret about the Templars' treasure that the Masons hid in the New World. For nearly 200 years, descendants of Gates have tried to find the mythical, disbelieved treasure, and failed in their attempts.
Fast forward to now, and Benjamin Franklin Gates (played by Nicolas Cage, who looks *much* better than Bill Gates) is on the trail of the ship Charlotte, in the frozen wastes of the Arctic somewhere, with a shifty 'philanthropist' named Ian Howe (played by Sean Bean). They find the Charlotte frozen in the ice, then Ian double-crosses Ben and his geek assistant, Riley.
After that, it's a roller-coaster ride to Washington, D.C., in a futile attempt to convince authorities that the Declaration of Independence is at risk. Ben decides to steal the Declaration to keep Ian from stealing and destroying it in his desire for treasure. It highlights the differences between "hunters" (Ian and his thugs) and "gatherers" (Ben and Riley, later with Abigail): Ian goes in with chains, explosives, drills, saws, tasers, guns--he has no respect for property, life, or history and context. Ben and Riley use their brains: plans, fake i.d., wireless communications, an understanding of the historic value of the Declaration, sleight of hand (a copy of the Declaration), heroic values (Ben rescues Abigail from Ian and thugs after they kidnap her).
From Washington, after Ben and Abigail discover a significant clue on the back of the Declaration (and bring Ben's father into this mess), the action moves to Philadelphia; our heroes are chased by the FBI, Ben is caught, Abigail and Riley make a deal with Ian; we end with all the major players in New York City. Ian doesn't play fair and drags Ben's dad into the mix--and now for something completely different!--we fall into an 'Indiana Jones' movie, which is not a bad thing in this case, actually. And to learn if they find anything, and what they find if they do, you'll just have to rent this little gem and find out.
Did the Templars and FreeMasons have an ancient treasure they hid in the New World? Probably not, but dang, you'll want it to be true after watching this movie! Diane Kruger is feisty and elegant as Abigail Chase, the director of the National Archives. I'd be happy if Nicolas Cage cranked out a goofily romantic comedy every year, because he does it (goofy and romantic) so well (even in "Ghost Rider"). Diane and Nick reminded me a bit of Kate Hepburn and Jimmy Stewart in "The Philadelphia Story" (hmmm...); but she doesn't have the forcefulness or dramatic 'weight' Katherine Hepburn had, so maybe they're channeling Grace Kelly and Cary Grant from "To Catch a Thief" (that's good, Cary Grant was in "Philadelphia Story" too).
Everyone complains about sequels, but this is the kind of movie I'd like to see a sequel to--adventure with no gratuitous violence, a hint of romance with no obvious sex, and 'positive' values (respect for history--heck, just plain respect). Throw in historic locations and stirring 'national monument' theme music (think John Williams when he was at the Boston Pops), and you get a fun, surprising, and thoughtful adventure movie.