'National Treasure' is 'Da Vinci Code' for American history buffs

By Jack Garner
Gannett News Service

NATIONAL TREASURE (PG) Three Stars (Good) A dash of Indiana Jones, a dollop of "The Da Vinci Code," a splash of American history, and lots of high-octane Hollywood hooey. That's the formula for the latest big-budget escapism from producer and popcorn movie magnate Jerry Bruckheimer, starring Nicolas Cage. Disney, 131 minutes.

Nicolas Cage reunites with Bruckheimer after also starring in his "The Rock," "Con Air" and "Gone in Sixty Seconds." This time he is Benjamin Franklin Gates, the latest in several generations of his family to be obsessed with a purported and long-rumored secret of American history.

Gates is convinced America's founding fathers possessed the fabled treasure of the Knights Templar (of Crusades fame). Furthermore, he believes they hid the treasure — worth billions — as a hedge against possible financial difficulties in the fledgling new nation.

Early in the film, Gates and his fellow adventurers discover the remnants of a Revolutionary War era ship in the frozen Arctic, containing important clues to the treasure. (How the ship got there, and how Gates knew it was there are just two of many plot points conveniently glossed over.)

At any rate, the clues lead Gates to believe the back of the Declaration of Independence contains a map hidden by invisible ink. But, getting hold of the fragile and priceless document poses considerable challenges, especially for Gates who has a great passion and respect for the artifacts of American history.

Gates' partner, Ian Howe (Sean Bean), and some of his cohorts, have no such respect and only want the treasure for its huge value. They try to kill Gates and his loyal associate, Riley (Justin Bartha), and run off to steal the declaration before Gates can get to it. So Gates must steal the document first, in order to protect it, especially since the FBI and CIA and other officials write off his warnings as the ramblings of a lunatic.

Gates enlists the help of a national archives conservator, although Abigail Chase (Diane Kruger) is understandably skeptical.

So, the race is on, as viewers are led on a chase through historical sites in Washington, Philadelphia, New York and Boston. (The filmmakers make evocative use of the U.S. National Archives, The Lincoln Memorial, Independence Hall, and the Liberty Bell and other iconic locations and items; the real history lessons behind the Hollywood nonsense could even conceivably stir a bit of curiosity in young viewers.)

Like the phenomenally popular "Da Vinci Code," "National Treasure" cleverly combines important sites and images with fictional codes and symbols, supposedly tied to both the Knights Templar and their successors, the Freemasons. But, while Dan Brown's novel tweaks organized religion, "National Treasure" takes a more lighthearted but earnest approach to U.S. history.

The film's implausibility meter is off the charts — from the icebound ship to the relative ease with which our most treasured document is stolen to some underground torches that still light 200 years after they were last used.

Nonetheless, Cage's Gates is an amiable adventurer with just enough Everyman for us to identify with. His sidekick Riley provides just enough witty sarcasm to counter Gates' patriotic passion.

Director Jon Turteltaub's relentless pacing makes "National Treasure" fast-paced fun to accompany holiday popcorn munching. Though I'd never call the film a treasure, if you don't take it too seriously, it's on a par with most Bruckheimer action films.

Rated PG, with action violence.