Though often implausible, 'Book of Secrets' is a gloriously exciting show

Rating: 7/10 (26 December 2007)

Though often implausible, Turteltaub's sequel to his 2004 box office smash is a gloriously amusing show, lush wish creativity and heaps of excitement. It rings many of the same bells that National Treasure did, which it seems to be okay with, yet the hunt it proceeds to take its viewer's on is a much grander one, which, essentially, makes it feel more important.
Ben Gates' great-great grandfather is implicated as a conspirator in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln following the turn-up of Mitch Wilkinson (Ed Harris), a descendant of an under-appreciated historical figure, who makes the claim and supports it with a missing page to John Wilkes Booth's diary. Ben and his National Treasure companions (Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha and Jon Voight) collaborate with Ben's mother, a University professor (played by 2006 Oscar-winner Helen Mirren), to prove the innocence of Thomas Gates, and, in the meantime, unearth Cibola, the legendary City of Gold.
Book of Secrets surpasses its predecessor with more thrills and even more high-caliber Hollywood names, and is, at times, blissfully reminiscent of Spielberg's classic (and far superior) Indiana Jones series. It's perhaps the most thrilling Disney release since The Curse of the Black Pearl, and it's certainly a wonderful experience that can be shared with people of all ages, and family, too.