Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicholas Cage) has grown up with stories steeped in treasure and adventure. While Ben believes they are true, and that the Gates family is meant to protect this treasure, his father has grown bitter over the years, believing the stories to be nothing more than that.
“National Treasure” opens with a group of men trekking through the arctic. Ben and his business associate, Ian Howe are following clues that have led them to a ship buried under years of snow. Ben believes the ship holds the treasure, but they discover that it actually holds another clue. Ian betrays Ben, leaving him stranded and goes off to search for the treasure himself.
Ben realizes that time is short, and goes to work deciphering the new clue he’s found in an old tobacco pipe on the ship. Clues lead to more clues and eventually back to Ian who realizes he’ll never find the treasure without Ben’s help. In order to keep the treasure safe, Ben must steal the Declaration of Independence (fearing that Ian will destroy it to get the next clue)—a task nearly impossible to achieve. Of course, being the good guy, he does try to warn the authorities, but no one believes him. From there the movie is a whirlwind of action and excitement as he, his assistant Riley and a curator from the National Archives race to find the treasure before Ian and his goons do.
“National Treasure” moves along at a brisk and exciting pace and you even learn quite a bit about history in the process (though not all of the “facts” in the movie are true). I’ve never been a person who’s been extra interested in history (shame on me, I know), but seeing it through Ben’s eyes made me want to learn more about secret societies like the Freemasons (I think my husband and I have watched every Discovery Channel special about them since we saw this movie) and more about history in general. Did you know that Ben Franklin…well, you’ll have to watch the movie and find out.
The movie is rated PG for action violence and some scary images. There is very little (if any) swearing in this movie, making it suitable for ages 5 and up (I think any younger and kids might not be able to follow it and would get a little bored). “National Treasure” is a great film for the whole family to enjoy.
Stars: Nicholas Cage, Sean Bean, Diane Kruger, Jon Voight, Justin Bartha
Related Blogs: Treasure Hunting/Geocaching