Disney may have stumbled upon another goldmine here - similar to its “Pirates of the Caribbean“ franchise. The original “National Treasure” was meant to be a stand-alone adventure film, without the expectations of huge financial success and any sequels. The first film was surprisingly fun, smart, and fast-paced, with interesting characters and a unique American-twist on treasure hunting. Luckily for fans, the magic continues in “National Treasure 2” with another search for a missing treasure and many of our favorite characters returning - including the main character Benjamin Franklin Gates.
“National Treasure 2” picks up a little while after the first film left off. Gates (Nicolas Cage) has become a celebrity in the academic world, and his work is finally respected. However, a stranger with a southern accent, played by Ed Harris (“Empire Falls”), casts a shadow over Gates’ ancestor Thomas by revealing his name to be on a missing page from the diary of John Wilkes Booth. With suspiciously presented evidence that may implicate the Gates family in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, our hero must pull back together his team of helpers to follow a clue found on the back of the cryptic page. Their search will lead them to Europe, Washington D.C., and Mount Rushmore and eventually require the assistance of the President of the United States and his mythical book of national secrets.
Benjamin Franklin Gates is Cage’s most loveable and original character in quite some time, proving he can still give audiences something new. A quirky intellectual, Gates is one of a myriad of eccentric characters that populate the movie. Justin Bartha as Riley and Jon Voight as Patrick Gates, provide much needed comedic relief as Gates’ technical expert friend and father, respectively. Diane Kruger returns as Abigail Chase, Gates’ intelligent, sophisticated and well-connected girlfriend. The couple do have some relationship problems at the outset of the film, which lead to some entertaining bickering in the midst of otherwise perilous situations. A wonderful new addition to the cast is Helen Mirren (“The Queen”) as a professor of early American languages who was mentioned and not seen in the first film. She helps create a touching side story with Gates’ father. Even Harvey Keitel returns as the FBI agent Sadusky, who is always either helping Gates or chasing him.
The film races around the world, in search of clues where you wouldn’t likely find them. Half the fun is trying to work out the riddles along with Gates and his pals or seeing what they’re going to come up with next to get access to otherwise off-limit areas. The director, Jon Turteltaub, returns and infuses a similar feel as in the first film, giving the audience what it wants on the screen. I was a bit disappointed in the new bad guy and his lackeys, who had less flair and intelligence then the baddies in the original movie. Ed Harris has an opportunity at the end to give his character some distinction, and adds an interesting element to the finale. Bruce Greenwood (“Thirteen Days”) gives the President a playful seriousness that makes him another interesting addition to the story.
While the original reason for searching for treasure was the clearing of Gates’ family name, which is not adequately resolved - this is only a minor deficient in an adventure story the whole family will enjoy together.
Rated PG for some violence and action.
