National Treasure: Book of Secrets

I am very excited about this movie. It is not often, in today's society, that an action / adventure movie is made so that the whole family can enjoy. Leave it to Disney to do just that. They did it with the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, which was a well-received project that was not only loved by millions, but a boxoffice bonanza. I could go on and on about how fantastic Pirates was, but I won't. Instead, I will gush about the National Treasure franchise.

With National Treasure and National Treasure: Book of Secrets, Disney has taken a sorely overlooked subject, namely American history, and it has forged that subject into a fun set of films. They have also added to the mix a great combination of actors and actresses, who all seem to work well together. Also present are some great, globe-trotting locations to sate the hungry eye. And, of course, there are the puzzles and the riddles. Everyone loves a good puzzle or a riddle, especially one you have a chance at solving. Now, you do not get that chance too often in the National Treasure franchise because the main character, Benjamin Franklin Gates, played by Nicholas Cage, is usually far ahead of everyone in thought, whizzing through puzzles and riddles faster than the mind can calculate. Don't feel bad; this is just part of the recipe. The real treat is watching Cage take the character through the steps of solving, on the spot, one impossible historical puzzle after another.

If youloved the first one, you'll love this sequel. In fact, I liked it better than the first. The characters have already been introduced, and we get right into the meat of the new story.

Kids movie? Certainly. I might leave the little ones at home (as should be done most of the time anyway), but I would bring the kids that would appreciate the fun and the action, yet still not be too bothered by the dramatic elements. There are lots of those, but more along the lines of action and suspense. There is a very low death toll here, folks, and the deaths happen in dramatic ways (and mainly off camera). I would say that there is a death toll of four total in both movies. And one of the deaths is none other than - SPOILER ALERT! - President Abraham Lincoln. Surprise!

Date movie? Absolutely. This is a fun movie with no embarassing or squirmy scenes.

I give National Treasure: Book of Secrets six out of six hidden clues. Enjoy!