National Treasure (2004)
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Writers: Jim Kouf and Oren Aviv
Release Date: 21 January 2005 (India)
Genre: Action | Adventure | Thriller
Tagline:
The greatest adventure history has ever revealed.
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Sean Bean, Jon Voight, Harvey Keitel, and others…
The title of the movie “National Treasure” suggests that movie is about treasure hunting. ‘National Treasure’ is one very good entertaining movie. It may not be all time best movie or classic movie but it serves basic purpose 
of why normal viewers go for movies that is entertainment. And it is highly entertaining, funny, adventures, thrilling, action and also family movie.
The movie tells the story of Benjamin Franklin Gates played by Nicolas Cage, who is from the family who believes that there is ancient treasure hidden somewhere by Freemasons in order to save it from British in Civil war. And the family tried to hunt it for ages. Now as current heir of the family the responsibility lies on Ben Gates, who starts hunting the treasure with likeminded friends Riley played by Justin Bartha and Ian played by Sean Bean and is also a sponsor of whole hunting operation. On trail of treasure they reach a ship called “Charlotte” which is frozen in the north of Arctic Circle. From the ship they get next clue that the map for the treasure is at the back of original Declaration of Independence of USA. At this point Ben Gates and Ian who turn into villain now have disagreement over stealing the Declaration of Independence. And Ian tries to Kill Ben and Riley. But they survive.
Now in order to save the Declaration of Independence from Ian, Ben visit FBI but they did not took him seriously. So Ben decides to meet head of National Archivist. Who happens to be Dr. Abigail played by Diane Kruger and going to be love interest of Ben. But at first she also did not take him seriously. So as last option Ben decides to steal the Declaration himself and restore it after reading the map. Then story moves on with how he steal the declaration, how he understand the map, how he decode next clues and finally reach to the Treasure.
Movie has very good pace it to, at no point you feel bored of it. You might ask at some instances, how can this be possible? But give in to creative liberty of director and writer. Nicolas Cage as usual gave excellent 
performance. Characters played by him are always believable. It is only his acting skill that makes you believe that guy like Ben Gates who can crack such impossible codes can also manage impossible action scenes. Justin Bartha is in the movie to provide comedy and he did his job very well. Diane Kruger is pleasing to eyes but there is much more scope in acting. All the actors Sean Bean, John Voight and others did their job.
The movie has history, humor, mystery, love, action, adventure, and suspense. So their hardly anything to complain about. Although movie talks about American national history and I am not aware of American history it does not stop me from enjoying the movie. I in fact feel on the same lines there is so much scope for making movie on Indian History and culture because Indian history is full of royal families, treasures and mysteries in it. I am sure it will be a brilliant movie unless someone tries to add magic stuff in it.
“National Treasure’s” second part is already out and I am eager to watch it. And I heard that the 3rd part of the movie will be out by 2011.
If I have to rate this movie I will give 8 out of 10.
