National Treasure: Book of Garbage!!

Rating: 3/10 (19 January 2008)

I had seen the previous National Treasure with my mom and actually enjoyed it. I only went to see this one because she wanted me to go with her. The trailer for this one looked really lame. I had pretty low expectations going in, and my feelings were right on the money. At times this movie felt so contrived and boring. At one point my mom even fell asleep. This is par for the course for Nic Cage movies nowadays. He used to be so amazing in the Face/Off days. He needs to get back to the basics and choose only quality scripts.
This movie was basically predictable overly scripted adventure. Not even the Lara Croft variety, which was quality and tolerable. It was so transparent that they were going for the whole Indiana Jones vibe. All they added was more modern special effects.
My overall issue was the contrived plot and the BAD acting. I mean does Cage even care anymore? Does he just do it for the $20 Million payday? Does he no longer have honor in his craft? This movie was painful to watch at times. I really wanted to get up and walk out.
I mean Ben (Nic Cage) just happens to know how and when to get answers at every turn. Must be nice. The movie failed to follow the main character in his struggle. At one point there was this big car chase scene in downtown London. The viewer has to really suspend disbelief for that one. No cops in sight and seemingly no traffic. Must be nice again. Anyone who has been to London knows how crazy the traffic jams and narrow streets are there. How lucky for Ben, there is a traffic camera to take a photo of the artifact, and by the way, his hack guy friend is a wiz who can hack into the computer and download the picture. Next, Ben gets into the Oval Office and goes on to kidnap the president. Ben is like Jack Bauer on crack and with the ultimate connections. The movie just starts to JUMP SO MANY SHARKS. The villain is (Ed Harris) really lame and for the most part useless. Again, I can't believe that Ed Harris would attach his name to such a bootleg project. His role had no real substance or point. Take him out and the movie would still be the same. That's not good.
The movie just had a bad plot/script. The GMC - Goal, Motivation, Conflict of the hero (Nic Cage) is just awful. Clearing the name of his great grandfather at the expense of all else? Give me a break...
I wouldn't spend theater money on this one. Just wait for Netflix, and even then only if you are DESPERATE. But, you might actually be BORED watching this. Skip it altogether.