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Movie Reviews, & Film Industry Commentary
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2005 – PG – 131 min.
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Primary Cast: Nicholas Cage, Jon Voight, Harvey Keitel, Diane Kruger, Sean Bean, Justin Bartha, Christopher Plummer
Stars ** 1/2 (of 5)
Popcorn *** (of 5)
Film Type(s): Action, Symbols, Treasure Hunt, American History, Heist
Synopsis: An Ancient treasure gathered by Masons and hidden by the Founding Fathers of the United States is the focal point of this Actioner from Jerry Bruckheimer. Benjamin Franklin Gates (Cage) tries to stop former colleague / greedy terrorist Sean (Bean) from stealing the one thing that can lead to this hidden treasure: The Declaration of Independence. With clues hidden invisibly on it’s back, The Declaration could lead them to the most valuable treasure ever. Though she tries to stop Gates from stealing it first to protect it, U.S. Archivist Dr. Abigail Chase (Kruger) gets caught up in stopping Sean instead. With both Sean and the FBI giving chase, will Gates be able to find the treasure to save it, or does the treasure even exist. Jon Voight plays Patrick Henry Gates, Ben’s Father, and Plummer a cameo as Grandfather John Adams Gates
Review: In light of their success with Pirates of the Caribbean, the Walt Disney Company gave the Executive Producers and Jerry Bruckheimer this as a follow up and fell flat on their faces. Though it gets points for using parts of American History, the liberties taken with that history for the sake of a treasure hunt make this film merely a thrill ride, which was probably the intent of the filmmakers. Though he tries hard, Nicholas Cage comes off too wooden in his attempts at humor and, let’s face it, he’s no Johnny Depp. Sean Bean is an adequate villain and Kruger a fair leading lady. Only Voight and Plummer lend what little weight there is to this film. Then again, this is a movie with an invisible treasure map on the back of the Declaration of Independence. This film is family friendly movie, which children will enjoy, but the adults will have mixed reactions.
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