National Treasure: Book of Secrets
“National Treasure” took another step forward in becoming a typical Hollywood serial in the tradition of “Indiana Jones” by coming up with a sequel that’s a lot of the same-old same-old, but enough of a freshness to the story to keep it from complete tedium (see “The Mummy” franchise). True, there are pointless subplots (why else would Nic Cage and Diana Kruger be split up at the start of the film?), tiresome repetition, and otherwise generic ideas at work, but what else did you expect from producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Jon Turteltaub? Probably what you didn’t expect is for them to cut Cage loose as an actor, and to build another inventive yarn out of various clues in American history. Once the film gets going, it’s hard not to be entertained.
Cage stars once again as Benjamin Gates, whose family’s decades-long search was responsible for one of the most valuable historical treasure discoveries in history. Well, it’s time again for Gates to get out his metaphorical fedora and whip, because this time an accusation by one Wilkinson (Ed Harris, playing heavy to the hilt) leads Ben and co. back into the treasure hunting business to clear his great grandfather’s name, who’s accused to be one of the Lincoln assassination conspirators. Where it leads them is to the most hallowed discovery in world history, so long as Gates and now-estranged girlfriend Abigail (Kruger, looking just as hot and smart this time around) can get along well enough to not kill each other or anyone else.
Probably the most satisfying aspect of “Book of Secrets” once it gets going is not only the clever use of world landmarks as clues to the story- which made the first one more than just an Indy clone- but also the way it uses Cage, an actor always capable of displaying high intelligence and able to add a distinctly offbeat slant to a character that makes him appealing (remember his terrific work in “The Rock” and “Face/Off?”). True, Gates isn’t Cage unleashed (unless you include a staircase staged argument with Kruger that the actor improvised), but this curious quality to his persona aides the character well, and makes him a unique action hero. It helps that he has a story and supporting cast to play off of as well, even if the story takes a while to kick in and all of the actors (including Oscar-winners Helen Murrin and Jon Voight as Gates’s estranged parents) are clearly slumming for a paycheck. Still, as holiday entertainments go, I’ve seen worse. The problem is, I’ve seen better as well. This movie’s predecessor, for example.
