National Treasure

Year: 2004

Grade: B

Country: USA

Director: Turteltaub

Review

sure it’s a hollywood production, and a disney film, even. but if you are able to look past how innocuous and safe the film is, then you might find yourself having a good time. the film really doesn’t attempt to rewrite the book on adventure films, but bruckheimer knows how to work within the conventions in an entertaining and engaging way. the key to the film is its plot hook, which from what i know of it, is borrowed from “the davinci code.” essentially this version uses everyday american items and national landmarks as clues leading to a treasure. there are some cheesy moments and some fortuitous plot turns, but that comes with the territory. the comic relief is pretty solid and the mystery kept me interested throughout. providing some additional worth is the simple historical information the film provides, ranging from when daylight savings was adapted to random archeological info. i’ll never watch it again, but watching it once was fine by me.

Watched in theater