National Treasure ***
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Sean Bean, Jon Voight, Harvey Keitel, Christopher Plummer
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Running Length: 2:10
MPAA Classification: PG

"National Treasure" is a blatant rip-off of books by Dan Brown like "Angels and Demons" and the more recognizable "The Da Vinci Code". The only real change instead of the controversial religious themes of the books, "National Treasure" centers around a treasure hunt. Considering that this movie comes from the unholy duo of Jerry Bruckheimer and Walt Disney Pictures, it is no surprise. Bruckheimer has been turning out crap for years, and Disney's glory days are well behind it.

That being said, "National Treasure" is an entertaining (but unbelievealbe) movie. Ben Gates (Cage) believes that the founding fathers have buries a treasure somewhere and have laid out clues to finding it. In fact, his family for generations have believed it. When Gates finally figures out a key clue, he is off to the Arctic in search of the treasure. A double cross by one of his team (Bean) leaves him for dead and the bad guy after the treasure. From then on, it is a race from clue to clue to find the hidden treasure. Along the way, they even steal the Declaration of Independence.

The action is fast paced and engaging, and the clues are woven into real world items. Nicholas Cage does nothing special with Ben Gates, lapsing into standard Nicholas Cage mode. Fortunately for him, that works (as it does in most of his movies). The supporting cast also does a good job, but nothing spectacular. "National Treasure" is an entertaining movie that most will like despite the Bruckheimer connection.