"National Treasure: Book of Secrets" Talkback (Spoilers)

[The Penguin]

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/MMPO/505658~National-Treasure-Book-of-Secrets-Posters.jpg
"The past is filled with incredible mysteries. The clues to solving them are all around, hidden in plain sight. But this story begins with the most famous assassination in history. Abraham Lincoln's killer, John Wilkes Booth, kept a diary. A diary that was found the night Booth was killed, with 18 pages missing. Concealed in those pages is the key to something much, much bigger. A conspiracy that crosses the globe, and a discovery that the world isn't ready to believe." - Benjamin Franklin GatesRelease Date: December 21, 2007
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Jon Voight, Harvey Keitel, Ed Harris, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Bruce Greenwood, Helen Mirren

Plot Summary: In this follow up to the box-office hit "National Treasure," treasure hunter Ben Gates (Cage) once again sets out on an exhilarating, action-packed new global quest to unearth hidden history and treasures.

When a missing page from the diary of John Wilkes Booth surfaces, Ben's great-great grandfather is suddenly implicated as a key conspirator in Abraham Lincoln's death. Determined to prove his ancestor's innocence, Ben follows an international chain of clues that takes him on a chase from Paris to London and ultimately back to America. This journey leads Ben and his crew not only to surprising revelations – but to the trail of the world's most treasured secrets.

Visit the official movie site here (http://www.nationaltreasure.com/).

Related Threads
"National Treasure" talkback (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=128228)
Comments?

[DarthGonzo]

Don't forget the brand new Goofy cartoon "How to Hook Up Your Home Theater" will also be playing before this.

[Undrave]

I thought the first National Treasure was a lot of fun, so I'm interested in seeing this.

However I think I might wait until it comes out on DVD. Sure look like a fun movie though.

[Dudley]

Screw National Treasure.
What was the Goofy short like?

[Silly McGooses]

Seriously, I was considering going to this just to see the Goofy cartoon.

But I decided I won't...

[Brandon Pierce]

I don't understand why "National Treasure" gets a lot of hate. I thought the first movie was pretty good. Yeah, that doesn't mean the sequel will be good, but I'm going to see this, and i think I'll enjoy myself.

The Goofy short is like an added bonus.

[bigddan11]

I enjoyed the first movie, but I actually liked this second one better. 'Book of Secrets' doesn't suffer from the same thing a lot of sequels do- a rehash of te same plot. This time the search goes outside of America- to France and Britian. The villian also turns out not to be a villian but someone who wants to find true friends and actually sacrifices himself so the others can escape. I liked the tease at the end with Nicholas Cage's character talking to the President about a third treasure, but I hope they don't make a third movie.

One of the things I enjoyed about the first one was the study of history that was revealed as they went on the treasure hunt. The second one covers some of that, but it doesn't have anywhere near as much nostaligia. The best addition though was having Cage's characters mom join in the hunt. I wish the FBI was a little more involved in this movie as well. They stole the show at some points during the first movie, but they were only shown for about 10 minutes total this time around.

The Goofy animation stole the show. I was laughing my head off throughout. It covers what every man wants- a new HD TV to watch football and feel like they're part of the action, but it does it in a regular Goofy way. I enjoyed both thoroughly.

[Azrael24]

I don't understand why "National Treasure" gets a lot of hate. I thought the first movie was pretty good. Yeah, that doesn't mean the sequel will be good, but I'm going to see this, and i think I'll enjoy myself.

The Goofy short is like an added bonus.
well personally i think cage's acting is crap and dull, it doesnt help he looks like an ape. he totally ruined that movie for me (just like ghost rider)

[Anime Freak]

i'm confused, I thought in the first film they said Cage's character's mom had died???? :confused:

[bigddan11]

i'm confused, I thought in the first film they said Cage's character's mom had died???? :confused:
He says his dad treats it as though she has died. He never says she died.

[Brandon Pierce]

I just saw the film, and have to say I enjoyed myself. The sequel isn't as good as the first, but I'd say this was acceptional. There are a few things I didn't care for though:











[WARNING]
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-As the problem with most sequels, the film was a LITTLE too fast paced for my taste. In the first film, everything was steady leasurely, and only picked up when something suspenful was going on, but in the sequel, everything was like BANG! BANG! BANG!

-The whole ordeal of Ben and Abigail having a limbo break-up. I thought that was unnecessary. It was clearly only added so the film would have some kind of conflict between the main characters, but personally, I felt the conflict between Ben's parents was enough.

-The big deal about "kidnapping the President". Dude, all he did was casually trap him in an underground passage, and then let him go. How is that "kidnapping". That was almost laughable.

I enjoyed the Goofy short btw. Man, if you blink, you'll a miss a ton of gags! Lots of funny stuff filling the screen. I just wish the short could have been a minute longer. They really left me wanting more.

[FightingDreamer]

I honestly really enjoyed the first 'National Treasure'; it was ridiculous, but it was fun. Well, imagine my surprise that 'Book of Secrets' is a better film. It moves quicker, it's more fun, and the plot is even MORE ridiculous. I love Nicolas Cage's freakouts (especially in that British place and when that little snot mouths off at him on the White House lawn), Jon Voight and Helen Mirren's arguments, Bruce Greenwood's president (get THIS guy for president pronto), and the amazing leaps of logic that Cage and Voight make. Seriously, how do these guys figure out these clues so fast?


The Goofy short is also a treat; you've got your old-timey "Walt Disney Presents a GOOFY Cartoon" title card, you've got your narrator (Corey Burton, who also did this on "Mouse Works"/"House of Mouse"), and you've got Goofy, plus some wonderful 2D animation.

[Hades]

Well I saw this yesterday and it turned out to be quite enjoyable in the end. The beginning of the movie just did not have a good set up though, and it took me nearly a half hour before I started getting into it, but once they got into the White House, it got a lot better. I definitely like the first one a lot more, but I do like how this time there really was no villian, for he just wanted to do something for his family's name.

Overall, I liked it though, and give it a 3/5 stars.

[Ishtar]

Well, I saw it today. Overall, I liked it as much as the 1st one, which is pretty good. I liked the inclusion of Ben's mother, and how she and Ben's father end up getting back together, since they were separated for like 32 years. I also liked how Ed Harris' character sorta changes from a villain to an anti-hero by the end, which is completely different than the 1st movie's villain, but sadly he dies. Too bad the president in this movie isn't our real president, instead of Bush, because I sorta found him to be a cool guy.:p Once again, Riley is one of the best characters of the movie, and I liked that he finally got some recognition at the end for his book. I really enjoyed the Goofy short "How to set up a Home Theater", too, and I found it hilarious. I hope Disney does more theatrical shorts like that.

[XOMiss_Samantha]

Hmm... well, it was better than the first one, which I never really liked in the fire place. There were a few scenes that made me grip the seat and then those which made me laugh a little bit. I realized early on that Harris's character would probably end up dieing, but I think it was the only part of the movie I really hated seeing, besides that completely stupid and utterly POINTLESS Goofy cartoon at the beginning. I came to see National Treasure, not the Mickey Mouse Club. Please and thankyou.

So all around it was cute, 'nuff said.

[DarthGonzo]

...besides that completely stupid and utterly POINTLESS Goofy cartoon at the beginning. I came to see National Treasure, not the Mickey Mouse Club.

And that's the exact attitude that's keeping the theatrical short all but extinct these days.

[XOMiss_Samantha]

And that's the exact attitude that's keeping the theatrical short all but extinct these days.

I can't help it that when I go to watch a movie that isn't animated, I get angry when they throw in some cartoon show I can easily watch on Tv. Not to mention a 15 minute short along with 40 minutes of commercials and previews isn't exactly fun to sit through. It only delays the productions start even more.
Every now and then I enjoy the 10 minute skits Pixar sometimes puts out before their movies, but Goofy? I never got into that.

[DarthGonzo]

I can't help it that when I go to watch a movie that isn't animated, I get angry when they throw in some cartoon show I can easily watch on Tv.

First off, you can't see this cartoon on TV. It's brand new. This recalls the days when movies would be preceded by several cartoons, short subjects and even newsreels. We're paying more for movies these days, but we're certainly getting a heck of a lot less than we used to. You should be happy your getting more for your $10.


Not to mention a 15 minute short along with 40 minutes of commercials and previews isn't exactly fun to sit through. It only delays the productions start even more. Please don't overexaggerate. The cartoon is not 15 minutes long and commercials and previews do not run that long. I understand being upset about having to be forced to watch commercials and to a lesser extent even previews. But honestly, what's so bad about a 7 minute cartoon? Your not paying extra for it or anything.


Every now and then I enjoy the 10 minute skits Pixar sometimes puts out before their movies, but Goofy? I never got into that.

That's all well and good but I've heard nothing but good things about the Goofy cartoon. It seems to have gotten better reviews than the movie and there's a good chance that Disney is going to continue to make these.

[XOMiss_Samantha]

First off, you can't see this cartoon on TV. It's brand new. This recalls the days when movies would be preceded by several cartoons, short subjects and even newsreels. We're paying more for movies these days, but we're certainly getting a heck of a lot less than we used to. You should be happy your getting more for your $10.

You know what I mean. If I want to watch Mickey Mouse I can easily turn on the Tv set. I pay my $10 to see a movie, not a movie plus a cartoon that I'm not interested in it. Sue me if it kills you that much.



Please don't overexaggerate. The cartoon is not 15 minutes long and commercials and previews do not run that long. I understand being upset about having to be forced to watch commercials and to a lesser extent even previews. But honestly, what's so bad about a 7 minute cartoon? Your not paying extra for it or anything. The cartoon was maybe around 10 minutes, and don't even start about previews and commercials. I don't know where you go to see movies, but where I go there is about 15 to 20 minutes worth. It is a pain to sit through that many and then have to deal with more delays after words. What's so bad about a 7 minute cartoon? Some people don't want to see it, that's what. Leave that stuff for the DVD.
This is why I supported the movement to put two times on when movies start. One time for the preview, and one time for the actual movie.



That's all well and good but I've heard nothing but good things about the Goofy cartoon. It seems to have gotten better reviews than the movie and there's a good chance that Disney is going to continue to make these.Then there's a good chance I'll continue to hate them

[DarthGonzo]

Your entitled to your own opinion so I'm not going to say anything else. However...



This is why I supported the movement to put two times on when movies start. One time for the preview, and one time for the actual movie.


They're never going to do something like this. They want you in that theater sitting in that chair watching those previews and advertisements. If they told you what time the actual movie was starting you and I both know that no one would show up until after all the stuff as over. That defeats the purpose of having advertisements in the first place. It stinks having to sit through that stuff I know, but it's a fact of life when it comes to seeing a movie at the theater.

Anyway...

[tinlunlau]

You guys get an animated short?
In Hong Kong, we only got to see 3-4 trailers and the movie itself. that's all.
That's it! When I'm back in Toronto, I'm going to buy a ticket to see National Treasure 2, watch the animated short and refund my ticket.

[Lonestarr]

The thread seems to have jumped the track. Let's straighten it back.

I thought the film was pretty good.

- Every time I heard Ed Harris' character's name (Wilkenson), I kept thinking, 'yeah, I got this figured out. Wilkenson...Wilkes (Booth)'. I guess I was wrong.

- I loved Helen Mirren's American accent. I'm kind of a sucker for British actors doing American accents.

- Agreed that Bruce Greenwood was a good President.

Overall, it's an exciting piece of work; a real popcorn movie.

[bigddan11]

Not to mention a 15 minute short along with 40 minutes of commercials and previews isn't exactly fun to sit through. It only delays the productions start even more.
Every now and then I enjoy the 10 minute skits Pixar sometimes puts out before their movies, but Goofy? I never got into that.
I'll be honest and say that overexaggerating times doesn't help emphasize the point. Disney insisted that the previews be only 7 minutes of their upcoming movies so they could include the 7 minute animated short with it. Since you go to watch the movie and not the shorts or previews, then why not show up 15 minutes after the actual startting time so you don't have to sit through it? That allows those of us who enjoyed the short and want to see more to comment on why we enjoyed it.

[Draft]

Goofy short was enjoyable, so was the movie (Wasn't as great as it could've because some of the "over the top" parts)

[Ajax]

Since you go to watch the movie and not the shorts or previews, then why not show up 15 minutes after the actual startting time so you don't have to sit through it? Even though this probably wasnt the case in any showing of this movie but no one would use that logic because people actually like picking out there seat before (hence why they come early so they can find good seats) and not forced, in the dark mind u, to make out what seats are open or not.

[XOMiss_Samantha]

Since you go to watch the movie and not the shorts or previews, then why not show up 15 minutes after the actual startting time so you don't have to sit through it? That allows those of us who enjoyed the short and want to see more to comment on why we enjoyed it.

Because usually the person I'm going with likes to get there early. If I was seeing a movie alone, then I would probably arrive 15 minutes later, but I never do so I can't. And then there's the seat thing too. It's hard moving around in the dark.
Plus, there's no rule that says I can't comment my own thoughts on why I disliked it either. That's great you all loved it, but sorry I didn't. Tough luck.

[Juu-kuchi]

Eh, it was okay. Goofy short was great, but this one was okay.

London and Paris seemed very tacked-on however.

[bigddan11]

I thought it was cool that they were going to London and Paris to search for clues, but those two scenes felt the most rushed to me in the entire movie. I did enjoy how they had the Government Conspiracy book out, since many people have published such books already.

[Classic Speedy]

I actually just recently saw National Treasure 1, so I had many elements from that movie fresh in my mind when I saw this one.

Thankfully the tone wasn't that much different and gave even more of what made the original so enjoyable; there was still plenty of comic relief (my personal favorite moment was when they were looking through the President's Book and Riley wants to read up on the JFK assassination and Area 51 but Ben said they don't have time. :p ), and the conspiracy theory stuff proved interesting amidst all the nonstop action.

As pure escapist fare, Book of Secrets was a lot of fun.

Oh yes, and the Goofy short rocked.

[purplehairedwonder]

I went to a 9:15 showing and the theater was packed. I was really surprised considering the movie's almost been out a week and that it was a fairly late showing (though it was mostly college students/adults).

Anyway, I loved the first National Treasure and I thought this one was also great. There were a few times I felt myself saying, "Yeah right" but with the suspension of my disbelief, it was really enjoyable. Riley was my favorite character in movie 1 and remained so in movie 2. I liked seeing him get recognized at the end. Very cute. Ed Harris was great and I liked that he wasn't an actual villain but more of an anti-hero who just wanted some fame for his own family. His fate was sad but not unexpected. I also loved Helen Mirren as Ben's father. Her interactions with his father were classic.

The Goofy short at the beginning was super funny. It's funny because it's true :p

[Michael24]

Finally got to see it today, and I loved it. It's as simple as that. Loved the humor as well, which was amped up just a little more than the first but still just as affective. I love Nic Cage's little "argument" in Buckingham Palace, especially when he started using the British accent. Haha!! And the ending was a great set-up for a third film, which I hope we get. I want to find out what was on page 47 of the President's book.