Starring Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Jon Voight, Helen Mirren, Ed Harris, Bruce Greenwood, Harvey Keitel
Written By: The Wibberleys, Jerry Bruckheimer
Directed By: Jon Turteltaub
Studio: Disney / Buena Vista
Buy on Amazon.com link

I loved the first movie; it was a fun escapism type of movie that reminded me of Indiana Jones, The Mummy and other adventure films. The second movie is a lot of fun, filled with action, funny scenes and an interesting storyline. While I don’t think it’s as good as the National Treasure 1, I still think it’s an enjoyable action/adventure flick that most people will like.

National Treasure: Book of Secrets starts out with a flashback to the Lincoln assassination. You see John Wilkes Booth and associates visit Thomas Gates, an ancestor of Ben Gates, and ask him to decode something. Gates tries to crack the puzzle for them, as Booth goes out and kills the 16th President. The coded message ends up being a clue to a treasure map. Years later, Ben Gates is presented with evidence from a rival saying that Thomas Gates assisted in the assassination of Lincoln. Ben, Riley, and ex-girlfriend Abigail, along with Ben’s Father and Mother, vow to clear their family name and refute the claims made by Wilkinson. They travel to Paris, Buckingham Palace, The Oval Office in the White House, Library of Congress and then to Mt. Rushmore. At those places, they find clues that will lead them to the lost City of Gold, and there they will clear their family name once and for all…but they will have to deal with Wilkinson, and the Secret Service after them as well!

National Treasure 2 is just as fun as the first film, and a great movie to escape reality. Most of this stuff isn’t believable at all but who cares, it’s a movie and you’re watching it to have a good time. I think once the team hits Paris, then the movie felt like a National Treasure movie. In the beginning, they had to set up the story and took a bit of time to get going. It was cool to see the Lincoln assassination, and how it played a part in the Gates family history (fiction obviously.) I liked how Ben’s mom gave into the story this time, especially when his mom is the lovely Helen Mirren. For an older woman, she certainly still has the looks…and other things. I thought the original characters were just as good as well. Ed Harris played the bad guy well, but in the end he wasn’t all that bad. He had a similar bad guy role in The Rock. I’m not sure what it was, but National Treasure 2 felt like something was missing this time around. I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s something. The humor & comic relief is still there, the action is certainly there, the acting was fine; but I just feel like the movie could have been slightly better. But one thing is for sure, I’m glad they actually WENT to these places to film, unlike the newest Indiana Jones movie. I hate Green Screens and glad National Treasure doesn’t overly do it.

If you get the 2 disc collector’s edition, there’s a bunch of interesting extras. There’s actually long, extended deleted scenes. Most of the scenes involved Harvey Keitel’s character, but there’s other scenes with Jon Voight and Helen Mirren. Each deleted scenes has a video introduction with director Jon Turteltaub. Other great featurettes include one about doing a sequel, filming on location, bloopers and stunts. To me, each featurette was satisfying that I didn’t think there needed to be more included. There’s a lot more other features on the DVD as well like “Inside the Library of Congress,” “Crafting the President’s Book,” “Evolution of the Golden City “and “Knights of the Golden City.” As you can see, a lot of featurettes to watch after you are done with the movie.

National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets is a fun adventure film, but it does have its flaws (like with most movies). That doesn’t mean this DVD isn’t worth buying or watching. If I didn’t get this to review, I certainly would have bought this movie.

Features:
– Audio Commentary With Director Jon Turteltaub And Actor Jon Voight
– Deleted Scenes With Introductions By Jon Turteltaub
– The Treasure Reel – Bloopers & Outtakes
– Secrets Of A Sequel
– The Book Of Secrets: On Location
– Street Stunts: Creating The London Chase
– Inside The Library Of Congress
– Underground Action
– Cover Story: Crafting The Presidents’ Book
– Evolution Of A Golden City
– Knights Of The Golden Circle

Audio:
ENGLISH: Dolby Digital 5.1
SPANISH: Dolby Digital 5.1
FRENCH: Dolby Digital 5.1

Video:
Widescreen 2.35:1 Color (Anamorphic)

Subtitles:
English, Spanish, French

Favorite Scenes: Paris scene, Buckingham palace scenes, London chase, Mt Rushmore scenes
Rating: PG
Running Time: 125 minutes
Extras Rating:
Overall Rating: