National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007, PG)

If a movie does quite well at the box-office, then comes as no surprise that those movies are usually expanded into multi-million dollar franchises.  The National Treasure series have done so, becoming a profitable vehicle machine for Disney and producer Jerry Bruchheimer, similar to Pirates of the Caribbean.

The first National Treasure was one of the more fun movie expierences I have had in a long time.  I've watched quite a few times since then, simply for my own amusements.  I enjoy it every time.  Jon Turteltaub returns to direct Book of Secrets, the sequel, which comes in with the same actors, the same kind of plot, though not quite as much fun.  As a result, Book of Secrets is a pic that should be watched by those who enjoyed the first film, but for those who did not, this will come off as a cheap, senseless ride.

The plot is substantially less entertaining this time around.  Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage), this time around, is trying to clear his great-great-grandfather's, Thomas Gates, name, as black market dealer Mitch Wilkinson (Ed Harris) has accused him of being one of the conspirators in the assassinating of President Abraham Lincoln, in 1865.  Along the way, Ben realizes that his great-great-grandfather may have been also after a hidden treasure located near Mt. Rushmore.  Perhaps I should add in that Gates captures the President of the United States (Bruce Greenwood), to get information from the President's book.

The plot is easily formulaic, and parts of the film feel all too much as a repeat of the first flick.  Nevertheless, Book of Secrets is what it should be: it's lightly-toned, popcorn fun.  If you didn't enjoy the first pic, then don't be surprised to not enjoy the sequel as well or even worse then the first film.  That's why that Book of Secrets is probably a movie strictly for fans of the first flick.  Because what else does it have to offer?  Well, I suppose that I can say that I had some fun, which is a good thing even when National Treasure: Book of Secrets is inferior to National Treasure.  

                                 ***/5