Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicolas Cage) is obsessed with the idea of an ancient treasure-the immeasurable riches of King Solomon, no less-protected by the Knights Templar, brought to the New World and later hidden by Masonic members of the Revolution. A message left to one of Gates' ancestors is the first clue to the whereabouts of this much-scoffed-at horde. As one historical clue leads to another, Gates finds his former sponsor and partner Ian Howe (Sean Bean) just a step behind. These historical clues left by the nation's Founding Fathers consist of an intricately carved ivory pipe, dollar bills 18th century 3D spectacles and the Declaration of Independence, believe it or not.
Diane Kruger returns from her outing as Helen of Troy to co-star as stunning archivist/conservator Abigail Chase, who is inadvertently drawn into the treasure hunt when the Declaration disappears. Harvey Keitel and Justin Bartha join the ride respectively as the sly, astute FBI investigator and Gates' laidback sidekick Riley, or token federal presence and comic relief, if you will. With this decent cast, expectations might have been high; some may have even believed that "National Treasure" would live up to its considerable premise.
In reality however, the storyline fails to elevate itself above pale reminders of Indiana Jones and maybe, just maybe, "The Da Vinci Code." Curiously, though, the film transcends its weak foundations; there is enough of a novelty factor in the plot and a nicely calculated rousing feel to most of the sequences that warms the cockles of one's patriotic breast. This is typical of Jerry Bruckheimer productions, which are often short on logic but filled with copious amounts of spirit. Indeed, what would ordinarily be dismissed as bland action and an uninspiring caper routine is afforded some life by the viewer's desire that Gates succeeds.
That is not to say that Cage portrays an engaging character; Gates is more of a superficial role than perhaps even Captain Corelli. The same might be said of Kruger, who makes the most of her limited opportunities for expression here, but of whom most audiences still have yet to see in a deeply challenging role. While the movie nearly succeeds in redeeming itself with its undeniable energy, the actors lift their characters by appearing to enjoy themselves thoroughly. One just has to take a look at Gates' unwavering enthusiasm-the cynic might interpret it as the pathetic sustenance for a wasted life, but that would run absolutely contrary to the soul of this breezy actioner. They just don't make treasure-hunters like that anymore.
Arguably, the greatest attraction of "National Treasure" (and also the weakest part), are the myriad historical references carefully woven into clues that the Masonic Founding Fathers couldn't possibly have expected anyone to decipher. Everyone does indeed give the impression of being hopelessly befuddled by the abstractness of each successive discovery until Gates' brainwaves inevitably propel the story forward. It might all have been more successful if the movie had taken itself less seriously and stepped towards becoming a conscious self-parody. As it is, though, there will always be an undercurrent of absurdity to the ease with which Gates & company progress from clue to clue.
With the variety of delectable offerings that came out around Thanksgiving, one might think that "National Treasure" comes across as distinctly out of its league. Promising less grandeur than "Alexander," definitely less cinematic import than "Finding Neverland," losing the female quotient to "Bridget Jones" and the family to "Spongebob," the only thing "National Treasure" has to offer seems to be a bit of fun with history. Fun it unquestionably is, but that's all there is-American history buffs beware.