Why This Movie Really Is A "National Treasure"
Published by Lacie R. Schaeffer on Friday, October 20, 2006 at 5:43 AM.
There are very few movies that I not only enjoy immensely, but find myself watching again and again. Movies aren't a really big thing to me, but sometimes I will hit upon one that becomes one of my favorites. Coming in at a close second behind my beloved Pirates of the Caribbean would have to be National Treasure. What is it about this movie that lights the imagination? The story is fresh and new; middle-aged Ben (Nicolas Cage), whose family has searched for a so-called "treasure" for generations, is ridiculed because he has more technology at his hand and actually goes out to look for clues; when he comes back mostly empty-handed except for a handwritten note or a letter, the scorn grows. Finally, he decides to try his hand at "borrowing" the Declaration of Independence and seeing if it does, indeed, have a map sketched into the back.
Ben's plans are complicated by Riley (Justin Bartha), his bumbling assistant who actually knows what to say sometimes, and Abigail, played by Diane Kruger, who is in charge of protecting the precious document they are trying to confiscate. There aren't many slow-paced parts in this movie (which was a breath of fresh air, considering how slowly some plots seem to run). Taking the Declaration and following its clues isn't easy; efforts are hindered by bad guy Ian Howe, brought to life by Sean Bean, who does a sizzling job as a villain. As the heroes race through the terrific historical setting of Philadelphia (I admit, being a history fan, that was one of my favorite parts) they are constantly watching out for Ian and his henchmen. For all you history lovers out there, the parts at the beginning that show the Egyptians, Romans, and Crusaders are really authentic and one of my favorite, though brief, parts of the movie. These first costumes are superb.
Each clue takes the group to another perilous adventure until it seems all hope is lost. I won't spoil the ending for those who haven't seen it, but I guarantee there won't be a dry eye. This is definitely a great family film. The characters are vibrant and endearing, the plots are fast-paced, well-written, and colorful, and you can't help but pity the villain a little bit - after all, he's so grumpy, he musn't have many friends (unless you count his henchmen). When the group disappears into a dark tunnel underneath a vault in a colonial church, and the very floors begin crumbling underneath, it's a real adrenaline surge. There is certainly little room for viewer boredom. The only slow parts of the film are at the beginning; it seems to take a while to lead up to the dramatic chases, but it's well worth it to see such a great film. Don't expect to only watch it once; it's one of those amazing movies you can see very often and still not be tired of it.
At first glance the ending seems a little too predictable, but it's written beautifully and full of exciting surprises. You learn that, even if you expected it to end this way, it's different from your expectations. One of the best parts of the ending? The villain gets his just dessert. The FBI agents, planning to put Ben in prison for his somewhat illegal activities, are gratified for the work he has done for the country and decide to punish Ian and his men instead. You can't help but laugh when they find him in Boston, obviously guilty, ready to break into a centuries-old church. "After all, someone's got to go to jail, Ben," the FBI tells him. And it's not going to be Ben! There's an added bonus for romance lovers; Ben even finds the girl of his dreams, in the person of - you guessed it - Abigail Chase, the very woman who tried to thwart his efforts to make off with the Declaration. You can't help but pity Riley Poole, Ben's sweet and often confused assistant; after trekking around the country for months looking for an elusive "National Treasure," all he gets (gasp) is a multi-thousand dollar sports car with all the fixin's. Oh don't you pity him!
National Treasure was released in 2004. I watched the movie soon after it made its debut, and at Christmas I was the owner of my own cherished copy. I hope someone hatches a plan to produce a sequel one of these days, though I doubt it could be anywhere near as fascinating as the original.
By Lacie R. Schaeffer
