National Treasure: Book of Secrets, Fun to Watch

“National Treasure: Book of Secrets”, starring Nicolas Cage(Benjamin Franklin Gates), Justin Bantha(Ripley Poole), and Diane Krueger(Abigail Chase), is the sequel to “ National Treasure.” The film also features John Voight(Patrick Gates), Ed Harris(Mitch Wilkinson). John Turteltaub (Constantine, Phenomenon) directed, and Jerry Bruckheimer (Pirates of The Carribean) produced the film(IMDb). The budget for the film was about 100 million dollars(TV Guide).

As Benjamin Franklin Gates finishes a public lecture, he is suddenly interrupted by Mitch Wilkinson, who presents one of the missing pages from John Wilkes Booth’s diary. The page reveals one of Gates' relatives was involved in the murder of Abraham Lincoln. After meticulously analyzing the page, Ben, Ripley, and Abigail find a clue suggesting the contrary. Traveling from France to England and back to the United States, the clue ultimately leads to the book of secrets, which is key to clearing Gates’ family name. However, while seeking vindication through superb detective work, Ben and his crew discover something marvelous.

The sequel is comparable to the first; no inadequacy of action is a factor. There are plenty of thrills and puzzles to keep the fans of this movie entertained. Ben, Ripley and Abigail are still fun to watch as they entangle themselves in noble mischief. Constantly finding ways to get in and out of trouble seems to be the signature of the film. Watching the trio solve clues without violating the law, certainly would deduct from the essence of National Treasure. Deception is a key part of the trio’s group identity. They are wiling to deceive, steal and use people for their own purpose but in the grand scheme, their deceptive ways are harmless because the ends justify the means. Kidnapping the president, sneaking into the queen’s office, these violations of the law are grand in stature, but they are committed in such a harmless manner, one tends to overlook that kidnapping the president to clear one’s family name is not such a good idea. Kidnapping the president may require loftier planning but this is what makes National Treasure so fun to watch. The impossible circumstances the trio are involved in provokes thought, and makes one wonder how will they get out of this one? In any event, the movie is fast paced, blessed with the attribute of action and acumen, a very smart film that is loaded with action but with the absence of gunshots and deaths.

One theme in the film that is imperceptible on account of the action being in the forefront is the moral of reconciliation or forgiveness. There are two major acts reconciliation in this film. One is very endearing, and the other is endearing as well but not as potent as the former. After witnessing these on- screen acts of reconciliation, I felt hopeful that people could forgive each other even after a long time. Afterward, I thought about how much my x-girlfriend hates me, and I concluded perhaps the maxim of forgiveness does not apply to everyone. Good Lord! That girl hates me. In closing, I give praise to Mr. Bruckheimer for amazing production.