National Treasure
“National Treasure” gives mindless, harmless fun a good name. This entry from the Disney/Bruckheimer entertainment-industrial complex out-codes “The Da Vinci Code.” It makes deciphering symbols and hunting ancient treasure seem exciting and propulsive — in other words, cinematic. Director Jon Turtletaub keeps things fast and fresh — his crosscutting is particularly effective — and does spectacular location shooting in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York. Hell, this PG-rated movie might even spark an interest in American history among its younger fans. I know I would have loved it at age 7. Nicolas Cage stars as Benjamin Franklin Gates, latest in a line of self-styled treasure keepers who fancy themselves the guardians of a vast fortune hidden by the Founding Fathers. Of course, they don’t know where it is. But Gates finds a promising clue that leads him to conclude that there might be something hidden on the back of the Declaration of Independence. The gorgeous, blond national archivist (Diane Kruger, her German accent explained in a throwaway line of dialogue) goes from Gates’ adversary to his swashbuckling colleague. Cage, seemingly energized by the screenplay’s goofiness, and the frisky Kruger create a chemistry fueled by physical and intellectual adventure. It’s fun to watch two attractive, curious history buffs fall for each other. The game cast also includes Jon Voight as Cage’s disillusioned father, Sean Bean as the sneering baddie and Justin Bartha as Cage’s hipster-slacker sidekick. “National Treasure,” released in 2004, exemplifies everything that can go right when Hollywood entertainers don’t overreach or take themselves too seriously.