Benjamin Gates and the Raiders of the Lost Treasure

Rating: 6/10 (3 September 2013)

"National Treasure" isn't a great film - nor is it a terrible one.
The film's opening set-up is nice. Always good to see Christopher Plummer.
Right after the films' initial set-up, it jumps right into the slightly monotonous clue after clue storyline that it follows for the duration. Most of the scenario's are extremely far-fetched, but the production values, music, and cast help numb-us to the fact that this story is beyond implausible.
The film is never boring or dull, but it also isn't as funny as it thinks it is. Riley and Ben take jabs back-and-forth throughout the movie, and almost none of them work comically.
The journey here is one that can be enjoyed for the visual sight-gags(for lack of a better term), and the historical contexts used throughout the film.
I for one felt like I was rooting them-on as they went from one clue to the next, and the film, while not necessarily deep or well-written, is bolstered by a cast that makes the most of an average script. Bean, Kruger, Keitel and Voigt really add some substance to this otherwise childish affair.
This is definitely a guilty pleasure for me. I realize how ridiculous this whole thing is, but the pacing and 'intrigue-around-every-corner' make this infinitely watchable despite all it's short-comings.
This is surely an audience divider, but if you like 'popcorn-fare' you should enjoy it. If you prefer historically accurate, dramatic films, then I'd pass on this one.
63/100 I gave the sequel similar marks.