Nicolas Cage

Diane Kruger

Justin Bartha

Sean Bean

Jon Voight

Harvey Keitel

Christopher Plummer

David Dayan Fisher

Stewart Finlay-McLennan

Oleg Taktarov

Stephen A. Pope

Annie Parisse

Mark Pellegrino

Armando Riesco

Erik King

Don McManus

Ron Canada

Hunter Gomez

Deborah Yates

Arabella Field

Sharon Wilkins

Alexandra Balahoutis

Dior Raye

Yves Beneche

Jason Earles

Terrence Currier

Rod McLachlan

Elizabeth Greenberg

Jody Halse

Liam Noble

Joshua Bitton

Michael Russo

Fern D. Baguidy Jr.

Thomas Q. Morris

Antony Alda

John Travis

Adriana Alveario

Frank Anello

Stephen Nakamura

Jeanette Surga

F. Hudson Miller

R.J. Palmer

Gary Wright

Kevin O'Connell

Matthew Harrison

Howard London

Allen Hartz

Eric Engler

Jim Likowski

Victoria Martin

Dan O'Connell

Suhail Kafity

Greg P. Russell

Cormac Wibberley

William Goldenberg

Jon Turteltaub

Caleb Deschanel

Trevor Rabin

Jim Kouf

Jerry Bruckheimer

Marianne Wibberley

Avy Kaufman

Judianna Makovsky

Angie Jones

Scott H. Eddo

Michael Uslan

Oren Aviv

Christina Steinberg

Mike Stenson

Barry H. Waldman

Chad Oman

Benjamin Melniker

Pat Sandston

Charles Segars

Jeremy Fry

Dean Wolcott

Mickey Giacomazzi

Russell Towery

William Hiney

Sean Andrew Faden

Don L. Harper

Rich Fellegara

Marco Kyris

Douglas C. Merrifield

Tom Calderaro

Michael Jonascu

Anthony Carlino

Mark Hitchler

Beatrice De Alba

Knar Kitabjian

Ray Chan

Andy Day

George Watters II

Louie DeMarco

Marcis Cole

Shelley Kirkwood

Brett M. Reed

Anupam Das

Brian Cuscino

Andy Foster

Bert Rodriguez

Darek Gogol

George Marshall Ruge

Michael Buster

Ron Kunecke

Michael Hilow

Tommy Hooper

Erwin H. Kupitz

Kevin Craig

Richard E. Birch

Alicia Accardo

Dylan Rush

KristieAnne Reed

Charley Armstrong

Lawrence A. Hubbs

Marilyn Matthews

Jack Carpenter

Daniel W. Barringer

Bryce Guy Williams

Dana Arnold

Cary Weitz

Blondel Aidoo

Greg John Callas

Leigh-Alexandra Jacob

Tammy DeRuiter

Henry Schaub

J.C. Brotherhood

Jesse Kaplan

Rod Farley

Frank Cappiello

Robin Beauchesne

Kathy Chasen-Hay

Ray De La Motte

National Treasure Collection

Adventure

Action

Thriller

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National Treasure

Walt Disney Pictures

Jerry Bruckheimer Films

Saturn Films

Junction Entertainment

United States of America

Latin

English

Español

new york city

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philadelphia, pennsylvania

washington dc, usa

riddle

translation

expedition

secret society

family history

wall street

treasure hunt

historical figure

church

archaeologist

revisionist history

based on myths, legends or folklore

usa history

revolutionary war

aircraft carrier

father son conflict

father son relationship

decipher

anxious

hidden history

lincoln memorial

history and legacy

fictionalized history

national archives

archaeology

ben franklin

declaration of independence

secret history

arctic circle

historical artifacts

independence hall

Gimly

Maybe the real National Treasure was this movie we watched along the way.

Okay so I didn't **love** _National Treasure_, but it 100% is what it's supposed to be. I never watched it as a kid, this was literally the first time I've ever seen more than about 5 minutes of it, so I don't have the nostalgia thing that a lot of people do, but I do think I'll watch it again. And, even though I didn't much like the sequel, I think I'd still definitely try out a 3rd _National Treasure_ if it ever got made.

_Final rating:★★½ - Had a lot that appealed to me, didn’t quite work as a whole._

Seen this one many times over the years and still a lot of fun. Solid adventure-comedy with Nicolas Cage in his element with this sort of material. Diane Krueger's performance was a bit iffy at times but she had some okay scenes and never can go wrong with Sean Bean playing the villain, though the character is made out to be smart when all he does is some online searches and stealing from others. **3.75/5**

_**Modern "Raiders of the Lost Ark" in America**_

If you can imagine a "Raiders of the Lost Ark"-type story taking place in modern America, you'd have a fairly good idea of what "National Treasure" is like. Nicolas Cage plays the Indiana Jones-type treasure hunter, Benjamin Franklin Gates, accompanied by his partner (Justin Bartha) and romantic interest (Diane Kruger), the latter a historical document scholar who gets dragged into the wild proceedings.

THE PLOT: Gates feels he has no choice but to audaciously steal the Declaration of Independence to save it from his nemesis (Sean Bean). The document has an invisible clue on its flip side, which supposedly leads to a vast, coveted 'national treasure.' Can Gates successfully swipe the document, elude the Feds, and ultimately find the ancient fortune before his murderous, greedy rival? And can he simultaneously "get the babe" as well? 

"National Treasure" put a big grin on my face throughout its entire runtime. Like 1981's "Raiders of the Lost Ark," you're not supposed to dwell too deeply on the events because, if you do, the implausibilities will start to mount up. Nevertheless, even though this was made to be a fun, eminently entertaining ride, it still somehow stimulates ruminations and interest in American history. Not a bad byproduct, no? 

A handful of miscellaneous items: 

* Diane Kruger, who played 'the face that launched a thousand ships' in 2004's "Troy," is sharp and all-around pleasant on the eyes.
* The score is modern with thrilling orchestrations intermingled with HEAVY progressive guitar riffs. It was composed by, believe it or not, Yes' guitarist/songwriter Trevor Rabin. Like "Conan the Barbarian," "Last of the Mohicans" and "Where Eagles Dare," this is a soundtrack worth owning; it's that superlative.
* The protagonists are all likable; heck, even the head Fed, played by Harvey Keitel, is likable.
* The chases are thrilling.
* The film was shot on location in Washington D.C., Philadelphia and New York City.
* Jon Voight plays Gate's father.
* Like "Raiders" this is a family-friendly experience -- upbeat with no needless cussing, sex or gore. The movie leaves you with a good feeling.

CLOSING THOUGHT: Despite the fact that Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper gave it 'thumbs down' -- Roeper even calling it 'Howling, howling BAD' -- "National Treasure" was a huge hit with audiences in 2004. This shows that critics like Roeper see WAY too many movies. They can't even lighten-up enough to enjoy a fun, thrilling, historically-stimulating popcorn flick. Implausible? Yes (at times, anyway). Bad? No.

Make no mistake, "National Treasure" is an entertaining quasi-believable adventure film. It's got the mojo.

The movie runs 2 hours, 11 minutes. 

GRADE: B+/A-

The Movie Mob

**National Treasure catches the Indiana Jones lightning in a bottle with its clue-chasing treasure hunt, entertaining cast, and grand adventure.**

National Treasure successfully captures the fun adventure and quality of Indiana Jones while building an exciting universe to explore in future films and shows. Nicolas Cage is at his best teaming with producer Jerry Bruckheimer once again. The duo's collaboration gave us The Rock, Con Air, and Gone in Sixty Seconds, with National Treasure outdoing them all at the box office! This fast-paced family-friendly adventure film travels the globe hunting for clues and uncovering new mysteries. The witty dialogue and funny moments keep the movie lighthearted, contrasting the dangers and peril the characters constantly face. National Treasure is a nostalgic and entertaining film with Nicolas Cage at his best, a fantastic supporting cast, and an exciting globe-trotting treasure hunt that the whole family can enjoy.

Nicolas Cage trying his damndest to be as un-Indian Jones as possible and succeeding. A good old-fashioned treasure hunt adventure you won't be able to help but enjoy. Cage is thoroughly enjoyable in this pacy romp. The unheroic hero is the best kind of hero, in my humble opinion.

National Treasure | All the Facts | Disney+ Deets

National Treasure (2004) Trailer

National Treasure( 2004)

In order to break the code, one man will have to break all the rules.

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A review by Gimly

Written by Gimly on Fri Jun 19 2020

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