Somewhat entertaining, though lightweight film

Rating: 6/10 (12 January 2005)

"National Treasure" is like one of those Saturday matinees of my youth, involved enough to keep one interested, but with a plot too fragile to endure much analysis. In that measure, it is worth a jaunt to the theater (though maybe not more than the matinée discounted price). But since I'm unable to allow plot holes to go unchallenged, here goes: 1. Knowing they need Gates alive and healthy for them to have any chance of deciphering all the clues, why were the bad guys continually trying to kill him? 2. After the document heist, several gunshots and a car chase that involved dozens of vehicles and pedestrians, how is it that the bad guys were never caught? 3. How could the villain possibly expect Gates and the others to be at a certain location in Philadelphia to intercept them, even though they weren't aware a clue led them there? And why did a young boy attract so much suspicion that they followed him outside to interview him? 4. And last but not least, why would an aging widower living alone happen to have a basket full of fresh lemons in his house? OK, I'm done. Like I said, it's a fun, watchable movie as long as you don't think too much.