Time: 124 Minutes
Cast:
Nicolas Cage as Benjamin Franklin “Ben” 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 Mitchell “Mitch” Wilkinson
Harvey Keitel as FBI Special Agent Peter Sadusky
Bruce Greenwood as President of the United States
Director: Jon Turteltaub

Ben Gates and his father Patrick are surprised by Mitch Wilkinson’s claims that their ancestor was a conspirator in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln based on the missing page of Booth’s diary that he possesses. Outraged, together with his wife, Abigail, and his best friend, the writer Riley Poole, they head to France, England and Washington to collect clues

The first National Treasure isn’t among the best adventure movies out there, but it’s nonetheless very entertaining, and its sequel Book of Secrets is similarly enjoyable.

I don’t think the story is as engaging and strong as the first movie, and it’s a bit messy and all over the place. Still, it’s just as fun, absurd and self aware as the first movie, with plenty of enjoyable, silly and goofy moments in another outrageous conspiracy fuelled globe trotting plot. Book of Secrets particularly doubles down on the ridiculousness to great effect.

Again, the cast do well. Nicolas Cage is having fun in the lead role and he gets to go more wild in the sequel. The highlight is one moment when he has to cause a scene in a London museum, and he gets to have one of his classic over the top scenes. The supporting cast is good, with Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Jon Voight and Harvey Keitel returning, and also has the addition of Helen Mirren and Bruce Greenwood. Ed Harris is really good, he’s very reliable as a villain in movies, and here it’s no exception.

The direction from Jon Turteltaub (returning for the sequel) is solid. There are some impressive set pieces and action sequences, which are probably even better than the first, with some good production design and environments.

National Treasure: Book of Secrets is more of the same, but is as entertaining as the first movie, and if you liked that film, its sequel is worth checking out too.