National Treasure (2)
I went into National Treasure hoping for a fun movie where I didn't have to think. The story was simple, Nicholas Cage solves a puzzle and finds treasure where many before have failed. Got it. Sadly, the mindless romp was a never ending series of implausible events each unfolding in a more mis-managed fashion than the previous caper. I can go with a lot if the fantasy world is set-up correctly but some things cannot be ignored. The lead characters are certainly likable and enjoyable to watch as they interact with one another. Jon Voight takes a turn as Cage's treasure hunter father and he does his role well. Other people are merely tokens who take turns either trying to kill Cage or entice him into helping solve a puzzle and set history right. Helen Mirren has a few brief scenes where she entirely steals the show and makes you wish you were watching Helen Mirren save the day instead of Nicholas Cage but I digress.
Okay, I'll go with breaking into Buckingham Palace and no one noticing, I'll go with the White House break-in and even the event at Mt. Vernon. (One spoiler free moment in case you do see the movie even after I warn you away. But - when somehow our group of heroes and villains manage to make it to the top of Mt. Rushmore and climb all over the heads without ANYONE noticing, it seems a bit odd. But still, not as bad as everyone suddenly having product placements of large bottles of Aquafina in their hands when most of them had been hands-free. It's amazing that two backpacks can hold Aquafina, lanterns, and who knows what else.
That is the underlying instability with National Treasure. You feel as if you are watching a series of events of people who sat around and thought "what if we could go anywhere and solve a (previously non-existent) conspiracy theory and be successful?" That's National Treasure.
Running time was way too long and people were looking at their watches. Children under 5 were dreadfully bored. We're set up for another installment but it's not a cliffhanger so that's okay. The best part about this movie was Disney's short "How to Install a Home Theater System" starring Goofy, that ran right before the movie. Sneak in and see the cartoon and then exit quickly.
Okay, I'll go with breaking into Buckingham Palace and no one noticing, I'll go with the White House break-in and even the event at Mt. Vernon. (One spoiler free moment in case you do see the movie even after I warn you away. But - when somehow our group of heroes and villains manage to make it to the top of Mt. Rushmore and climb all over the heads without ANYONE noticing, it seems a bit odd. But still, not as bad as everyone suddenly having product placements of large bottles of Aquafina in their hands when most of them had been hands-free. It's amazing that two backpacks can hold Aquafina, lanterns, and who knows what else.
That is the underlying instability with National Treasure. You feel as if you are watching a series of events of people who sat around and thought "what if we could go anywhere and solve a (previously non-existent) conspiracy theory and be successful?" That's National Treasure.
Running time was way too long and people were looking at their watches. Children under 5 were dreadfully bored. We're set up for another installment but it's not a cliffhanger so that's okay. The best part about this movie was Disney's short "How to Install a Home Theater System" starring Goofy, that ran right before the movie. Sneak in and see the cartoon and then exit quickly.
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