National Treasure: Book of Secrets ** (2007, Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Helen Mirren, Jon Voight, Ed Harris, Harvey Keitel, Bruce Greenwood) – Classic Movie Review 3827

Director Jon Turteltaub’s 2007 is more of the same as the 2004 original National Treasure, except considerably slacker, far less enjoyable and much worse quality-wise, though it’s still full of fast-paced, escapist action.

Nicolas Cage is back as treasure hunter Benjamin Franklin Gates, this time involved in a caper to discover who murdered Abe Lincoln when he tries to find the mystery hidden in pages taken from assassin John Wilkes Booth’s diary. Ben finds his grandpa was a conspirator.

Even if it is just a silly fantasy adventure with a daft plot, it still needs some basis in reality and some conviction in the writing and acting – sorely missing this time. The break-in at Buckingham Palace and chase through London are particularly silly.

Gates, his Dad (Jon Voight), the heroine called Abigail Chase (Diane Kruger) and the silly sidekick named Riley Poole (Justin Bartha) are all back, but they seem to be just going through the motions, while Helen Mirren is out of place and uncomfortable as Emily Appleton.

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© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 3827

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