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National Treasure 2 - Book Of Secrets [Blu-ray] [2007]


RRP: £23.99
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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk

Less engrossing than its 2004 predecessor National Treasure, Jon Turteltaub’s busy sequel National Treasure: Book of Secrets is nevertheless a colourful and witty adventure, another race against overwhelming odds for the answer to a historical riddle. Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage), the treasure hunter who feverishly sought, in the first film, the whereabouts of a war chest hidden by America’s forefathers, is now charged with protecting family honour. When a rival (Ed Harris) offers alleged proof that Gates’ ancestor, Thomas Gates, was not a Civil War-era hero but a participant in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Ben and his father (Jon Voight) and crew (Justin Bartha, Diane Kruger) hopscotch through Paris, London, Washington DC, and South Dakota to gather evidence refuting the claim. The film is most fun when the hunt, as in National Treasure, squeezes Ben into such impossible situations as examining twin desks in the Queen’s chambers in Buckingham Palace and the White House’s Oval Office, or kidnapping an American president (Bruce Greenwood) for a few minutes of frank talk. Helen Mirren, the previous year's Oscar winner for Best Actress, wisely joins the cast of a likely hit film as Ben’s archaeologist mother, long-estranged from Voight’s character but as feisty as the rest of the family. Returning director Turteltaub takes excellent advantage of his colourful backdrops in European capitals and the always-eerie Mount Rushmore, and oversees some wildly imaginative sets for this dramedy’s feverish third act in an audacious and completely unexpected, legendary setting. If National Treasure: Book of Secrets doesn’t feel quite as crisp and unique as its predecessor, it is still ingenious and wry enough to laugh a bit at itself. --Tom Keogh


Editorial
Synopsis

Treasure hunter Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) embarks on a new adventure in director Jon Turtletaub's sequel to National Treasure. Ben and his father, Patrick (Jon Voight), take great pride in their ancestors and their family's devotion to the United States. When Mitch Wilkinson (Ed Harris) produces a page from the diary of Lincoln assassin John Wilkes Booth allegedly linking Ben's great-great grandfather to the plot, Ben and Patrick set out on a path to clear their family's name. Ben also believes that the diary page contains hints to the whereabouts of a treasure map leading to an ancient city of gold, and soon the hunt is on. Tech expert Riley Poole (Justin Bartha) and Ben's now ex-girlfriend Abigail Chase (Diane Kruger) join the Gates in their quest, which takes them from Washington, DC, to Paris, London and the Black Hills of South Dakota.

It's true that the storyline and the actions of Gates and his team--which include breaking into the Queen's study at Buckingham Palace, sneaking into the Oval Office, and kidnapping the President of the United States--are completely unbelievable. But with a storyline built on true, interesting trivia and great locations, this film is an amusing, family-friendly romp. Cage has some great moments as Gates-- loyal, patriotic, fair to a fault, and very funny as he goads on Buckingham Palace security. Harris plays Wilkinson with just the right air of mystery and menace: is he after fortune, or does he just want to leave his own mark in history? Helen Mirren fits the bill as Ben's mother and Patrick's estranged ex-wife, Emily, a scholar and historian in her own right.

Not great.
Review date: 2008-08-28 Rating: 4 out of 10

I didn't think that this was anywhere near as good as the first one. The best I can say is that it's watchable, but the story is quite silly, to say the least. A disappointing sequel.

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Reviews


Not as good as the first but still entertaining
Review date: 2008-08-05 Rating: 6 out of 10

In `National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets' Nicholas Cage and his bad haircut/wig returns as Ben Gates in the follow-up to the excellent 2004 film. He has been kicked out of his girlfriend, Abigail's (Diane Kruger) house and he has also just found out that his great grandfather is on the list of names associated with the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. With the help of Abigail and his side-kick Riley (Justin Bartha), Ben attempts to clear his family's name by using his deciphering skills to follow the clues to find the legendary City of Gold.

The first National Treasure was a surprisingly excellent adventure film that was well up there in the ranks with Indiana Jones and The Da Vinci Code, but the follow-up wasn't so great. Although there are still some amazing action sequences including an impressive car (and lorry) chase through the busy city streets of Central London (on a day where the police must have all been off work!) and an attempt at kidnapping the president of the United States, it really failed with the characters this time round as they were all extremely un-likeable and nowhere near as funny as in the first one. Kruger's character was just so stuck-up and irritating where as Helen Mirren's character of Ben's mum was just completely pointless and felt out of place. Ed Harris' character however was very good as the bad guy, Mitch who I did tend to hate the whole way through.

I'm not saying that I didn't enjoy this film as it was still very good, but it didn't have the feel-good sparks of the first one and the script wasn't as clever and the action wasn't as exciting.

The Blu Ray quality is again unbeatable proving that Disney really are the best when it comes to crisp, sharp images and sound.

Overall, if you've seen the original you'll probably like this, as I did, but I do warn you that you will feel underwhelmed. If you are new to the series I'd highly recommend watching the original first as it is miles better in all departments. If you can get this in the boxset with the original, this is well worth getting, otherwise I'd just give it a rent.


Movie: 2.75/5 Picture Quality: 4.5/5 Sound Quality: 4.75/5 Extras: 4/5
Review date: 2008-07-16 Rating: 6 out of 10

Version: U.S.A / Region Free
MPEG-4 AVC BD-50
Running time: 2:04:32
Movie size: 32,016,064,512 bytes
Disc size: 48,118,122,133 bytes
Total bit rate: 34.28 Mbps
Average video bit rate: 23.26 Mbps
Dolby TrueHD 5.1 24-bit
DD AC3 5.1 640Kbps

Appalling
Review date: 2008-07-03 Rating: 2 out of 10

This has to be one of the worst films I have ever had to sit through. Like the other reviewers (bar one) I thought the plot was ridiculous, predictable, and that Nicholas Cage was pretty darn dire. It's as if the makers of this film made a special effort to produce a low-quality, dreadful film. But I think you should still watch it. I shouldn't have to suffer alone.

National Treasure 2-zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Review date: 2008-06-27 Rating: 2 out of 10


There are no words for how bad this film is... i know you'll probably watch it anyway... but remember that you were warned... the only funny parts are where you gasp and giggle at how predictable the plot 'twists' are... oh, and the expression on helen mirren's face that just screams 'let me out'!

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Ed Harris
Harvey Keitel
Diane Kruger
Nicolas Cage
Jon Voight

Creators:
Nicolas Cage (Primary Contributor)
Jon Voight (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainm
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainm
EAN: 8717418158026
Binding: Blu-ray
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2008-06-02
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Running time: 124 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2007
Language: English (Original Language)

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