National Treasure: Book of Secrets

*** Stars

When National Treasure came out in 2004, I found it as a guilty pleasure. I still put on the DVD when I need a film that is easy to watch. This year, the sequel National Treasure: Book of Secrets is basically the same movie as the first, with a few different plot twists. Both are very easy to watch and to realize that the cast is having so much fun.

First, let's clear up why Helen Mirren is in this movie. In many interviews this year, Mirren explains that this has been a dream come true. In the Orlando Sentinel, Mirren's interview explains why she chose a Jerry Bruckheimer production:

“My ambition, in film, has always been to fly on wires. In this film, I got to do that. Finally! I was so excited when I was told that would be a part of the movie, me in a harness. I did this movie for the fun, the fun of flying across a canyon, or standing in this huge pyramid chamber while the greatest technicians in the world filled it with water all around you. For two weeks! That’s fun!”

It would seem that she did this film for the money. Well, so what if Mirren did get a hefty paycheck? If I won an Oscar, I don't think my next project would be an independent film for no money, unless it had the caliber of the next Mean Streets.

Let's get back to the film. Book of Secrets can be draggy at some points and the plot is again preposterous, but it's so nice to see a film bring actual historical events into something that could rely more on violence. Nicholas Cage reprises his role as Benjamin Gates, the treasure hunter who has already found the greatest treasure in the world (in the 2004 box-office hit). In the sequel, he wants to clear his family name when Thomas Gates, Ben's great-grandfather, is mentioned in one of the missing pages of John Wilkes Booth's diary. This could prove that he was behind the conspiracy of the Lincoln assassination. With the help of the gang from the first film, his buddy Riley (Justin Bartha), his now ex-girlfriend Abigail (Diane Krueger), his father Patrick Gates (Jon Voight), and new to the cast his mother Emily (Dame Helen Mirren), they set out on an adventure to prove that the Gate family is innocent and to find another treasure, one that could be the greatest in the world.

The cast has so much fun here and you want to be apart of it. I came out of the first film wondering if Cage, Voight, and Harvey Keitel (who is only in a couple scenes in the sequel) were just taking hefty paychecks. But as an actor, it has to be refreshing to have the freedom to bring whatever you want to your role and realize that being apart of something fun can be just as rewarding as something earned. It seemed Mirren was just as excited about this than her Oscar win last year.

Director John Turtletaub and Producer Jerry Bruckheimer have collaborated with their special effects team to create some wonderful sets and very smooth cinematography. The film is better than it will be given credit for. This is Indiana Jones on a junior level, which can have something for everyone. To enjoy the film, sit back and go along for the ride. Otherwise, you will be left behind on a trip that is actually worth taking.