One of the funnest adventure movies ever made

Rating: 8/10 (6 June 2016)

Ridiculous conspiracy theories of the Knights Templar gathering the largest treasure in history for apparently no reason and then hiding it away from the British because it was in America.
OK, so the plot is bannanas, but so is the plot of most movies if you look at them closely enough. The difference here is that National Treasure admits it's own silliness with pride and gusto, wearing it out and proudly. Much of the movie's charm comes from the writer's own obvious love of both geeky historical facts and silly conspiracy theories, and their unabashed attempt to get you to love them too. Odd historical facts combine into silly conspiracies fast and often herein, but rather than trying too hard to get you to actually buy into them the movie expects you to meet it halfway. "Yes, I'm silly" it says "but just accept that for a moment and come have an adventure."
And a great adventure it is to be had! The good guys and bad guys go back and forth, not over punching each other in the face but in this movie it's brawn versus brains. Who knew the silliest of movies could be more witty than politically "charged" thrillers (or even "hardcore" sci-fi movie) that never the less are resolved by people punching each other in the face? Well National Treasure did, and watching Nick Cage and crew outwit their dumb and violent adversaries is just as fun as the best gun battle laden fight scenes other adventure movies throw at you, and more original to boot.
And speaking of Cage and the rest of the cast. Well, they all feel type cast, but in the exact right roles. Oh sure Sean Bean does his usual solid job (hey a British villain!). But otherwise everyone feels like a character actor, but in the exact right sort of role for them. Diane Kruger looks stunning, Nick Cage goes hilariously over the top in most scenes, Justin Bartha's nerdy loser comic relief does exactly that, and Jon Voight's wise old man routine is spot on. And because the movie doesn't expect much more of itself than having fun you can happily play along with all of them.
I've seen this movie 7 times, and regretted it not once. Bored or feeling down, you just pop this in and enjoy Nicholas Cage looking dramatically serious towards (but not at) a camera and saying in a serious voice "I'm going to steal the Declaration of Independence". And you can't help but smile and even laugh.