Modern treasure hunters, led by archaeologist Ben Gates, search for a chest of riches rumored to have been stashed away by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin during the Revolutionary War. The chest's whereabouts may lie in secret clues embedded in the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, and Gates is in a race to find the gold before his enemies do.
new york city treasure philadelphia pennsylvania washington dc usa riddle fbi translation expedition secret society family history wall street treasure hunt historical figure church archaeologist revisionist history based on myths legends or folklore american revolution usa history revolutionary war aircraft carrier father son conflict father son relationship decipher anxious hidden history lincoln memorial history and legacy fictionalized history national archives archaeology ben franklin declaration of independence secret history arctic circle historical artifacts independence hall
mouseman reviewed National Treasure (2004)
History Disney Style
National Treasure is an adventure movie for the whole family. Using some of the myths in history, like the knights templar treasure and freemasons, it creates an interesting plot that feels much more real than those of Indiana Jones movies, for example.
There isn't much fiction in the movie - it creates a "this could be true" feeling using something what we don't know for certain, not by rewriting the history. It felt like a better version of the Da Vinci Code movie with less fiction. There is a lot of small historical remarks, like Thomas Paine's Common Sense showing in one tiny scene, that really shows the team behind the movie is gone all out to create something plausible.
After watching a lot supernatural Indiana Jones movies with fast action and violence, National Treasure was a welcome change. The only feat of the hero was the knowledge of history. There was still plenty of stuff going on, but the movie didn't have to rely on fistfights and otherwordliness to be interesting.
This is the kind of movie that the whole family can enjoy together - even adults, and not just because the kids are enjoying. Recommended to everyone!
OR
Enter your username and email (the password will be emailed to you):
Streaming Rank Today: 2975 
