A Rollicking Good "Boy's Own" Adventure.

Rating: 9/10 (6 March 2020)

Disney hit the right spot with this live-action adventure yarn. This film has everything. An imaginative and well-structured story. Fully fleshed-out characters that are both believable and relatable. Great direction, which takes you on an enthralling and entertaining rollercoaster ride of thrills, action, and history. In fact, there is very little wrong with this picture.
Okay, so history isn't the most exciting of subjects when you're at school... and to be honest a lot of it still bores me. So when I heard the concept of the story I did groan a little. However, great news for me, and the rest of the audience, is that the team of writers keep this story very far away from Driesville. So thanks to Jim Kouf, Oren Aviv, Charles Segars, and Cormac & Marianne Wibberley for giving us such a great story and cast of characters. Down to this story and film alone, I prefer Benjamin Franklin Gates over Indiana Jones and Robert Langdon. Not only does Gates have something to prove it's personal. This gives him an added depth the others don't possess.
But a movie is a visual beast. Thank God that Jon Turtletaub had a good and firm grip on the directorial reins. For one thing, he has a great eye. There wasn't a single instance where my eyes strayed from the screen. He has great composition and detail manipulation. Without this, the revelation of the "treasure" clues would have lost a lot of their power, which would be a shame. Here he makes them a substantial part of the story. Though it's the action sequences that pack a considerable punch. I especially liked the chase scene after the declaration theft. This is fast, frantic, and furious fun. Turtletaub also directs his cast perfectly.
This is practically the perfect cast. Granted the writers created a great ensemble but without the right actors and actresses to give them voice and emotions the film could have sunk. However, all the players portray their characters perfectly. Even the interactions between them are excellent. I particularly like the banter and connection that Gates and Ian Howe, Sean Bean, have. Once, partners in treasure hunting they are forced to become competitors. Though it gets deadly between them they keep the chatter light and friendly. It's also nice that in the frenetic storyline we are allowed to see the budding romance between Gates and Abigail Chase, Diane Kruger.
So if you are looking for a lighthearted, treasure-hunting, action-adventure film then this should be one of the first films you look to. You won't be disappointed.
Come on over and check out my The Game Is Afoot and Holding Out For A Hero and Guilty Pleasures lists to see where I've charted this film. You may even find something new to tickle your viewing fancy.