I recently took a look at the Nicolas Cage film National Treasure (2004) so now it’s time to take a look at the sequel from 2007, so without further ado here’s my National Treasure: Book of Secrets Blu-ray Review.
- National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007)
- Genre: Action, Adventure
- UK Rating PG
- Discs: 2 (Includes National Treasure 1 & 2)
- Released By Walt Disney
- Blu-ray Released 13 February 2012
Plot
Mitch Wilkinson (Ed Harris) presents evidence that Benjamin Franklin Gates’ (Nicolas Cage) great-great grandfather is a traitor and may indeed be involved in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Naturally Ben Franklin and his father Patrick (Jon Voight) fight to prove his innocence. This sparks another set of puzzles that takes them to places such as Paris, London and Washington D.C.
Style / Direction
The film is directed by Jon Turteltaub with the cinematography side of things that’s taken care of by John Schwartzman & Amir Mokri. If you have seen the first movie or just read my review you will find the sequel to be pretty much in the same format with a slightly different story that ultimately results in a similar outcome. This is not a criticism merely an observation, there’s nothing really new but the film allows more screen time for Jon Voight and adds Helen Mirren to the mix.
This time around the story takes our treasure hunters on a trip from America to Paris, London and back again. As with the 2004 film it’s all done in an exciting enough way that results in a pretty decent film.
Music / Audio Effects
The music is composed by Trevor Rabin as was the first film and it certainly provides the tension when required and also gives the film a sense of urgency.
Acting / Characters
Nicolas Cage plays Benjamin Franklin Gates an American historian and cryptologist that’s across between Dan Brown’s Robert Langdon and Indiana Jones. He plays the role well ensuring you are fully invested in his characters adventure right from the very start.
Backing up Cage again is Justin Bartha as sidekick Riley Poole, this is where a lot of the humour and banter comes from. The two actors bounce off each off well but due to the increased presence of Jon Voight and Helen Mirren his role seems at times a little overshadowed when compared to the first movie.
Diane Kruger is Dr. Abigail Chase an archivist at the National Archives and now romantically involved with Ben Franklin Gates. Again she plays a key role in the sequel. Meanwhile Helen Mirren plays Dr. Emily Appleton-Gates, Ben’s mother.
The films kind of bad guy is this time played by Ed Harris, oh and don’t worry as Harvey Keitel reprises his role as Agent Peter Sadusky.
It’s an outstanding cast and one that helps to delivers an entertaining family adventure film.
Cast
- Nicolas Cage as Benjamin Franklin Gates
- Justin Bartha as Riley Poole
- Diane Kruger as Dr. Abigail Chase
- Jon Voight as Patrick Henry Gates
- Helen Mirren as Dr. Emily Appleton-Gates
- Ed Harris as Mitch Wilkinson
- Harvey Keitel as FBI Special Agent Sadusky
Conclusion: National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007) Film Review
If you liked the first film you are going to enjoy Book of Secrets. Its pretty much more of the same but I’d have to say I didn’t enjoy this one quite as much as the first. That said it’s far from a bad film in fact it’s a highly entertaining adventure film for the most part. If you love either Indiana Jones or Dan Brown films then look no further than National Treasure as it mixes the two together nicely.
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Conclusion: National Treasure: Book of Secrets Blu-ray Review
It’s time to take a look at the picture quality, the films from 2007 so there’s little to worry about as the image is sharp and clean. Now on to the extras and there’s again a ton of stuff to wade through although some of it is stuck behind an interactive part that is rather annoying. That said most are simply documentaries showing the making of the film which are interesting enough.
Extras
- Audio Commentary
- Book of History: The Fact or Fiction of NT2 (Interactive Quiz)
- Deleted Scenes (20 mins)
- Te Treasure Reel: Bloopers & Outtakes (5 mins)
- Secrets of A Sequel (7 mins)
- The Book of Secrets: On Location (10 mins)
- Street Stunts: Creating The London Chase (10 mins)
- Inside The Library of Congress (9 mins)
- Underground Action (7 mins)
- Covery Story: Crafting The President’s Book (5 mins)
- Evolution of A Golden City (10 mins)
- Knights of The Golden Circle (3 mins)
Popcorn Cinema Rating:
National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007)
MOVIE RATING: WELL WORTH WATCHING
BLU-RAY RATING: EXCELLENT
POPCORN CINEMA: RECOMMENDED
National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007) Blu-ray
National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007) blu-ray is available now from Amazon.
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National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007) Trailer
For those of you yet to see the film I’ll leave you with a little taster…
Clip may not be representative of the blu-ray version
That’s National Treasure: Book of Secrets blu-ray review, if you have any thoughts on this film you can leave them over on our Facebook page.
Summary: National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007) Blu-ray Review
Movie title: National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007)
Director(s): Jon Turteltaub
Actor(s): Nicolas Cage, Justin Bartha, Diane Kruger, Jon Voight, Helen Mirren, Ed Harris, Harvey Keitel,
Genre: Adventure
- Movie Rating
- Blu-ray Picture Rating
- Extras
Summary
An entertaining adventure film that’s packed full of puzzles and action sequences.
