National Treasure (2004) Review

Benjamin Franklin Gates is a historian who wants nothing more than to discover treasure working with Riley Poole and then getting Abigail Chase involved when they steal the Declaration of Independence to get the next clue. Can they do it before the FBI track them down or the mercenaries led by Ian Howe get to it first.

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Benjamin has been obsessed with everything to do with history and the finding of hidden treasure ever since his grandfather told him stories as a child, something his father Patrick Gates also pursued but was now rather cynical that each clue found just led to yet another clue and it was a treasure hunt that would just last forever without any end. Although as things progress it doesn’t actually take long to get him back on side when everything starts to look so different and he begins to believe again. Even if he feels he lost twenty years of his life chasing clues and treasure.

The treasure they are attempting to find is a massive lost Freemason treasure which just so happens to have a map on the back of the Declaration of Independence. This was obviously not going to be an easy thing to just check given the historic nature of it all! Especially with the Freemason set up being members only and very hush hush about certain things.

Ian Howe was a friend of Benjamin to begin with, until he decides to go rogue and attempt to get the treasure for himself which begins a cat and mouse chase within the story. Riley Poole is a computer expert and really adds to the pairing with Benjamin. Abigail Chase was reluctant to join the pair but she ended up not really having much choice with the way everything works out.

Don’t films like this Indiana Jones and The Mummy franchises make it look so damn cool and amazing to search for treasure, find maps, get clues and explore in all different places? Well, I certainly think they do. National Treasure really does have a lot going for it with plenty of twists and turns within the exciting plot. An incredible acting ensemble makes for even better viewing as well.

This is certainly an example of the good side of Nicolas Cage, leading a film from Disney and doing so in rather impressive fashion. He is very believable as Benjamin Gates and it is a joy to see him in this type of role. Justin Bartha is an actor who I’ve always enjoyed and wondering why he never pushed on to a bigger career as he is a joy in this film. Diane Kruger is a good balance with the male heavy cast. Sean Bean works so very well as a bad guy doesn’t he! Jon Voight and Harvey Keitel both get some good moments and scenes.