Suspend disbelief and enjoy the ride

Rating: 7/10 (25 December 2007)

National Treasure: Book of Secrets is the kind of high adventure movie that succeeds in keeping you on the edge of your seat while Nick Cage and company follow a sort of secular New World Da Vinci Code by following one clue after another up until the exciting climax. Seems like Cage's family is linked to the Lincoln assassination so he sets out to prove it untrue. His nemesis played by the always reliable Ed Harris is ominously following him for reasons of his own. The lovely Diane Kruger is back but this time they're estranged-but as in all formula flicks we already can figure out the outcome of that plot twist. It's a plus that Helen Mirren is along as John Voight's long ago ex and Cage's mother and it turns out she has a talent of her own as an expert on ancient carvings that proves useful in Cage's quest. Unfortunately, Harvet Keitel only has a few scenes as does Bruce Greenwood as the President. But it all amounts to a good popcorn movie the whole family can enjoy. Oh yeah, Ty Burrell makes a likable sidekick computer geek with tricks of his own. Is it far fetched? Sure, but it works as entertainment.