National Treasure 2 - Book Of Secrets [2007] - DVD (Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Jon Voight, Helen Mirren, Harvey Keitel - Dir: Jon Turteltaub)

Less engrossing than its 2004 predecessor National Treasure, Jon Turteltaub's busy sequel National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets is nevertheless a colourful and witty adventure, another race against overwhelming odds for the answer to a historical riddle. Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage), the treasure hunter who feverishly sought, in the first film, the whereabouts of a war chest hidden by America's forefathers, is now charged with protecting family honour. When a rival (Ed Harris) offers alleged proof that Gates' ancestor, Thomas Gates, was not a Civil War-era hero but a participant in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Ben and his father (Jon Voight) and crew (Justin Bartha, Diane Kruger) hopscotch through Paris, London, Washington DC, and South Dakota to gather evidence refuting the claim.

The film is most fun when the hunt, as in National Treasure, squeezes Ben into such impossible situations as examining twin desks in the queen's chambers in Buckingham Palace and the White House's Oval Office, or kidnapping an American president (Bruce Greenwood) for a few minutes of frank talk. Helen Mirren, the previous year's Oscar winner for Best Actress, wisely joins the cast of a likely hit film as Ben's archaeologist mother, long-estranged from Voight's character but as feisty as the rest of the family. Returning director Turteltaub takes excellent advantage of his colorful backdrops in European capitals and the always-eerie Mount Rushmore, and oversees some wildly imaginative sets for this dramedy's feverish third act in an audacious and completely unexpected, legendary setting. If National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets doesn't feel quite as crisp and unique as its predecessor, it is still ingenious and wry enough to laugh a bit at itself. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews of National Treasure 2 - Book Of Secrets [2007]

M. Evans

24th November 2008

Dreadful
This was one of the most unimaginative, derivative and just plain boring films I've ever had to sit through. It tries to be a cross between a Dan Brown thriller and an Indiana Jones film and merely succeeds in reminding the viewer how superior those two genres are. The acting is terrible too. The new Indiana Jones film is 100 times better than this. Avoid!

Su B
St Helens, England
17th November 2008

not really a good film
The main problem with this film is that if you've seen the first then you've seen this one. There is no originality in the script at all which is a shame, because I would say that this film has just killed the franchise.

Again Nicholas Cage takes the lead role of Ben Gates in this Tomb Raider type film. Once again Ben and his trusty sidekick Riley Poole (Justin Bartha) and girlfriend Abigail Chase (Diane Kruger) are once again attempting to clear the name of his great grandfather - just like they did in the first film. In this one he (briefly) kidnaps the President rather than the Declaration of Independence, but once again they end up being chased around by the bad guys, while looking for the treasure that will prove his relatives innocence. I told you it was very similar.

One shock to me was to see how ill the great Ed Harris looked, but that is the only shock involved.

Sadly, this film fails to live upto even the first film, I gave it two stars for the entertainment value it will have for those who haven't already seen the first.

celticshedevil
Ireland
28th August 2008

All round family fun
National Treasure: Book of Secrets is everything a big budget adventure sequel should be. A bigger story and better action help make Book of Secrets a surprising crowd pleaser.

Setting out to clear his ancestor's name, Ben Gates is back in treasure-hunting action to unequivocally prove that his family had nothing to do with the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. With his usual cohorts Riley, Abigail and his father, Patrick Gates, the trio must race against the clock to stop a new enemy, Mitch Wilkinson, from uncovering an ancient treasure before they can, or forever risk the Gates name being associated with the death of one of America's greatest presidents. Book of Secrets is crammed packed with puzzles, car chases and exciting action sequences to help keep the film filled with riveting adventure from opening to closing frame.

Granted the movie is on the ridiculous/unbelievable side, but it's worth a watch. After all, this is a Disney family film so you know they will find the treasure and all will be well with the world. It won't win any Oscars but it'll keep the kids entertained for a couple of hours at least.

Andrew Turley

21st August 2008

who green lit this film?
while the first national treasure was what i would describe as a bank holiday film,the ones that you carnt be bothered to switch over because you have had too much pie, this travesty of a film only engages you on the level that you keep watching to see if it could be anymore worse which it does in spades. i am glad i never bought it only rented, but then again i wish i could have my rental fee. The real shame of the film is that it has an inpressive list of actors who should sack their agents immediatly for signing them up to this bag of dingo's droppings

The Tilehurst Terrys
Berkshire
28th July 2008

NATIONAL TREASURE 2 BOOK OF SECRETS - TRANSLATION SHOULD BE WORST FILM EVER MADE A COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME
This is the worst film ever I have had the misfortune to watch. The first film was good abit long but got there in the end so worth a watch, but this one was dreadful a complete waste of time and money! I seriously could never watch this film again it was that bad hence this review to warn others.