I didn't like this movie, but I can understand why it was so popular

Rating: 5/10 (8 January 2008)

This film is hard to sum up with a single rating. I really wish I could give it three scores: One for how much I personally liked it, how good the film is historically and how entertaining the film is.
For me, the film was a 3 or 4--mostly because I just don't like this type of film. Action films often bore me because I like characters with depth and the characters in NATIONAL TREASURE are cartoon-like and one-dimensional with little to make me connect with them. Now this isn't to say that I dislike all action films, but this one just seemed like a long string of plot devices and gimmicks strung together. The logical leaps they used to solve each riddle were just silly. And, again and again, I found myself guessing correctly what was coming next--the script was amazingly predictable and poor given that so much money was spent on special effects and high-priced actors.
As far as the historical value, I'm going to need to bite my tongue a bit. I am an American History teacher and need to keep reminding myself that I must suspend disbelief--after all, Disney did not intend this as a real history lesson. Sadly, however, when I talked to my students about the film, it was amazing how many thought the film DID have an actual historical basis!! Well, I can't blame Disney for the fact that kids don't know their history (well, I guess I could launch into an attack on the historical errors in POCAHONTAS but I need to keep on topic). At least the film gets people thinking about history, so that's something, so I'll give it a 5--though all the mumbo-jumbo about the Masons, secret codes, etc. was all a lot of hooey.
As far as entertainment for the masses go, the film is fun, slick and well-crafted (aside from the writing, that is). The film looks great and has a bigger than life feel that is at times reminiscent of INDIANA JONES and other action films. For an undemanding audience, it's going to keep their attention. In this regard, it deserves a 7 or 8. It looks pretty and is nice escapism.
So overall, I'd say the film deserves a 5. While I hated much of the film and would rather eat glass than see it again because of the style of film and clichéd writing, I also realize I am a very picky person and there's nothing wrong with some mindless entertainment now and again. For kids and anyone who tends to not look for plot problems, this could be a very entertaining film. For smug guys like me, you would probably do better with an independent or foreign film, documentary or silent film--you know, the kinds of film NORMAL people don't like.