The 'National Treasure' formula works again

Rating: 7/10 (19 February 2008)

Though some doubted that the find-a-clue, figure-it-out and then find-the-treasure formula that made the first 'NT' film so fun could work again, I'm happy to say that it did succeed a second time. Maybe it won't a third time, as the end of this film fairly explicitly implied, but for a second go-around, sure.
All of the same actors and characters are back, with some welcome additions, including Helen Mirren as Ben Gates' (Nicholas Cage) mother. This time, the clue-finders are searching for a legendary City of Gold as made by the Native Americans to keep it from getting in the hands of Jeb Wilkinson, who simply wants to bring fame to his family's name like the heritage of Ben Gates can already claim.
There are even more clues in this 'National Treasure' than the first, some of which are discovered in a quick and unrealistic manner, but some features near the movie's end, particularly a giant balancing table underneath Mount Rushmore that requires both allies and villain to work together, is quite a treat that deserves commendation for Jerry Bruckheimer. 3/4 stars