National Treasure

Pros: Not actively offensive
Cons: A pale, boring Indiana Jones imitator

You know, I really don’t like to be the one to tell someone shocking news. If their world is going to be rocked, why should I be the messenger? Everyone knows what happens to the messenger anyway. That’s right, they get shot. But I’m ...

Pros: Fun, entertaining adventure movie. Nicolas Cage.
Cons: Characters could have been more developed

I first saw a preview for Nicolas Cage's new movie National Treasure a few months ago at the theater. I thought that the movie looked interesting and I decided I wanted to see it. The preview made it seem like National ...

Pros: Good CGI, Diane Kruger looks hot
Cons: Story, Logical Lapses, Cliches, Uneven Pacing

National Treasure (2004) National Treasure tries to capture some of the same magic that Indiana Jones sparked in his first film - which was really just a rehash of the old ...

Pros: great story, well acted, very interesting premise
Cons: none

From the production team of Jerry Bruckheimer (Pearl Harbor, Top Gun, Crimson Tide), National Treasure is a movie produced with the intent to appeal to the masses. Normally when a movie is made with that intent though, it ends up lacking the core of ...

Pros: Quite funny and exciting in places...
Cons: ... just not in enough of them!

National Treasure is a bit like Indiana Jones for kids without most of the things that made Indy so hugely enjoyable. Nicholas Cage plays Ben Gates, who comes from a long line of treasure-hunting maniacs (well, that’s being a little ...

Pros: Great story, fast paced
Cons: I wanted a bigger ending

National Treasure is a different kind of action movie that relies more on dialogue and tense situations than car chases and gunfights. There is only one explosion, one minor car chase, and a very low body count. From the previews, I didn't think this ...

Pros: Engrossing story and funny dialogue
Cons: Several obvious plot holes

Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicolas Cage) is the latest in a long line of treasure hunters. The Gates family has been searching for a treasure hidden by the founders of the United States since the last founder told one of them the first clue many years ago. ...

Pros: Fun and entertaining
Cons: Totally predictable

From the first time I saw a preview for National Treasure it was clear that Indiana Jones comparisons were going to arise, as well as those to The DaVinci Code. I also thought that the film would be a total joke with tons of explosions and ...

Pros: witty, charming, thoughtful and likable
Cons: shallow, derivative, diminutive, and lacking much in terms of dynamics

Watching this film, I couldn't help but remember another film, Ivan Reitman's light comedy, Twins, though for reasons I'm sure the filmmakers never anticipated. Twins was about two brothers, conceived of in a Frankensteinian experiment, but separated ...

Pros: moves fast, light romance, fun adventure
Cons: not very plausible...

We had another round of stomach flu at our house this weekend. My 6 year old son Alex got sick on Thursday night, and therefore couldn't make it to a friend's birthday party on Saturday morning. Adding to that disappointment, his little sister was ...

Pros: Entertaining.
Cons: Zero plausibility.

By all accounts, National Treasure should have been this year's Thanksgiving turkey. Consider all the elements. First off, the film was executive produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. The man whom for every "Rock" he has given us, has also unloaded on us ten ...

Pros: Nicholas Cage, Interesting Theme
Cons: Most of the Acting, Predictable

Nicholas Cage has had his ups and downs for sure. Snake Eyes was one of the downs, Family Man was one of the ups. I thought he was pretty good in Gone In 60 Seconds but I wasn’t really feelin’ Matchstick Men. Anyway, Cage is back in an action ...

Pros: The background of National Monuments
Cons: A little predictable but its also a good film for the younger generation.

National Treasure has become one of those films that I enjoy watching time after time. Though it may have been a bit predictable in my first view and of course I know the story now, it's still a fun film for me. Plot Benjamin Franklin Gates ...

Pros: a fun couple of hours
Cons: plot holes, the obnoxiousness at times of the Riley character, predictable

23 years ago, Harrison Ford, in what would become even more of a signature role than his Han Solo character in Star Wars, starred in the first of three Indiana Jones movies. Raiders of the Lost Ark proved to be the most critically ...

Pros: action, comedy, and brain candy all mixed together, supporting cast was wonderful, historic backdrops
Cons: the scenes matching Raiders could be disconcerting, Cage is very understated

It was bound to happen. Some enterprising producer or writer or movie star had to eventually take advantage of the The Da Vinci Code phenomenon and make a movie with the same type of historical mystery, wild action, and ingenious puzzles. Frankly, ...