Unraveling the Secrets: A Playful Take on “National Treasure: Book of Secrets”
In “National Treasure: Book of Secrets” (2007), you’re not just watching a movie; you’re playing a game. Choose your character: the Hero, the Villain, the Director, or the Average Viewer. No save points here, but the quest is straightforward enough to conquer on your first try. Especially if you’re a fan of the original “National Treasure,” Indiana Jones flicks, adventure novels, and have a soft spot for those who haven’t quite grasped the concept of logic.
Playing as the Hero: Ben Gates
You are Ben Gates, portrayed by Nicolas Cage. Your skills include solving puzzles, mastering puppy-dog eyes, delivering lines like, “I will clear my ancestor’s name, no matter the cost!” and recalling obscure yet crucial historical facts. To aid you, you have a computer whiz who can hack into any database, an archaeologist father, a linguist mother specializing in dead languages, and a blonde ex-girlfriend (with whom you’re practically broken up). Your quest begins with your ancestor being accused of orchestrating Lincoln’s assassination. Your mission? Clear his name, whatever it takes. This involves deciphering codes, stealing an artifact from Buckingham Palace, infiltrating the Oval Office, briefly kidnapping the President, acquiring the President’s Book of Secrets, and ultimately discovering an ancient city of gold.
Embracing the Dark Side: Mitch Wilkinson
You are Mitch Wilkinson, played by Ed Harris. Your talents lie in pursuing the Hero, presenting historically significant documents at opportune moments, brandishing weapons, eavesdropping on phone calls, and dreaming of leaving your mark on history. You have a gang of thugs at your disposal, though they contribute little to the plot. Your quest starts by accusing the Hero’s ancestor of Lincoln’s assassination, armed with a vital historical document. As the Hero clears his name and solves riddles, you follow, claiming his achievements as your own. Your goal is to make history, either by finding the golden city yourself or by threatening whoever does.
Behind the Camera: The Director’s Cut
You are director Jon Turteltaub, skilled in creating lively, nonsensical films with a touch of humor. Your support team includes the explosive Jerry Bruckheimer as producer, the brilliant Helen Mirren as the hero’s mother, and London, Paris, and America as your backdrops. This quest began after “National Treasure” surprisingly grossed around $350 million worldwide. Your task is to create a sequel that’s just as good, which you accomplish admirably, even if it sometimes blurs the line between “just as good” and “the same thing.”
The Real Star: The Book of Secrets
The film’s best character is undoubtedly the President’s Book of Secrets. It holds the truth about Watergate, UFOs, a hidden compartment in the President’s desk, and everything else hidden from the public but accessible to true treasure hunters. Passed down from president to president, it’s highly classified, and its existence better explains the essence of “National Treasure 2” than any special effect. The protagonist, the Hero, is essentially a ten-year-old boy who believes in a book containing all the secrets, a golden city beneath every significant mountain, and the inevitable reconciliation of estranged parents when they unite for their son’s sake. The Hero’s allies are also ten-year-olds at heart, as are the Villain and the Director. As for the producer’s age, we’ve known since “Armageddon” (1998) and “Gone in Sixty Seconds” (2000).
The Viewer’s Experience: Popcorn and Spectacle
Most likely, you’ll be playing as the Average Viewer. Your quest begins with two items: a bucket of popcorn and a large screen. On the screen, Nicolas Cage will widen his eyes, the computer geek will solve puzzles, Ed Harris will drive a big car through London while waving a gun, and Helen Mirren will translate “hummingbird” from a dead language.
Your mission is simple: enjoy the show and the popcorn. This will be easy if you can imagine you’re still under eleven years old.