Treasure Hunter Ben Is Back In Search Of Something Bigger

Rating: Null/10 (8 April 2009)

'National Treasure: Book of Secrets' has all the ingredients of a successful action adventure but something was lacking. The execution (that is, camera-work, editing, music, element of suspense etc) is brilliant. The action and comedy scenes were fun to watch. However, I felt that much of it was rushed. There isn't enough time for the historical jargon to sink into the viewer's mind because the movie quickly shifts to the next scene as the events move at a rapid pace. It just felt too rushed. The shift in location to Paris and London is nice but the scenes are too limited. Yet, there is a cool action sequence that takes place in the London scene. Another thing is that the way Ben and his team manage to solve their problem, such as, by getting into Buckingham Palace or kidnapping the president, just seems a little too easy. Then again, it's meant to be an entertaining action movie and I guess this can be excused. Nicholas Cage is in form and he's back with his old team that include the dependable Jon Voight, the ravishing Diane Kruger and the scene-stealer Justin Bartha. This time there is the additional benefit of seeing Ed Harris and the lovely Helen Mirren. 'National Treasure: Book of Secrets' is still entertaining and perhaps during second viewing it will be easier to pay more attention to the historical aspects since we know the main story already. I will be looking forward to the third one.