Advantages: Mindless fun
Disadvantages: Poor story, indifferent acting, poor characters

...This film was never at the top of my list of films to see over the Christmas period but one dreary afternoon we decided to go to the cinema and this looked like it might be the best of a bad bunch. I had heard a bit about it and seen an interview with Nicholas Cage, and felt like it might be quite a cool film. There seemed to be some comparisons made between National Treasure and Indiana Jones but Cage had been quick to play these down. I don’t think it ever helps a new film like this to be compared to something that has been so successful. ** Background ** National Treasure is an action adventure film based around a mystical treasure that some people believe may actually exist. The film has taken the mystery that surrounds this tale and turned it into something that a wide range of people will be able to watch and enjoy... Read review

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Advantages: Solid acting, fun storyline, interesting ideas, fast-paced action
Disadvantages: Very silly and unbelievable in places

...National Treasure (2004) - FILM ONLY REVIEW Certificate: PG (UK) / PG (USA) / PG (Ireland) Run time: 131 minutes Director: Jon Turteltaub Main cast: Ben Gates - Nicholas Cage Abigail Chase - Diane Kruger Riley Poole - Justin Bartha Ian Howe - Sean Bean Patrick Gates - Jon Voight Special Agent Sadusky - Harvey Keitel As someone with an interest in history and archaeology, it is perhaps not surprising that I enjoyed the cheerfully silly Disney action adventure "National Treasure". Something of a sleeper hit when it was first released, this film was generally enjoyed by audiences but widely slated by critics; hardly surprising given that this is more family entertainment than Oscar contender, and the plot can get about as unbelievable as it is possible for any film to get in certain places. "National Treasure" is an old... Read review

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Advantages: Action packed adventure
Disadvantages: Far fetched story, inplausible clue cracking

...Everyone dreams of finding treasure some time in their life; the anticipation, the adventure, notoriety and boundless wealth. This common dream has inspired films for centuries including Treasure Island, Tomb Raider, Indiana Jones, to name but a few. National Treasure, released in the UK in December 2004, is the latest to hit the big screen. National Treasure is set for the main in modern-day Washington DC. The script was put together by no less than nine witers.including Jim Kouf, Oren Aviv and Cormac & Marianne Wibberley. Of course, there has to be a somewhat feasible story behind the existence of the treasure. The main character, Benjamin Franklin Gates played by Nicholas Cage, is the great grandson of a coachman to one of the Founding Fathers. He discovers the existence of a treasure. The treasure is the fabled ancient... Read review

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Advantages: Very Fun, Exciting, Based Loosely On Historical Fact
Disadvantages: Extremely Silly

...As a child Benjamin Franklin Gates (first names sound familiar?) was brought up on wild stories of thrilling battles, breathtaking chases and heroic knights saving damsels in distress from certain death, but one story stuck with him throughout his whole life, a tale of a buried treasure so powerful, no one man should ever have it to himself, this treasure was passed down through history seeing the Egyptian slaves, Roman Emperors and Crusaders, but was discovered by the Mason's only to be lost, hidden somewhere, never to be seen again………. Now an adult explorer Ben has made it his life's work to track down this gold and prove all the cynics wrong, going from one clue to the next. Daring stunts, thrilling chases and passionate love affairs pursue, but will he piece together the intricate threads of this elaborate maze before his arch... Read review

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Advantages: It's a comfort to know that someone else has suffered like you
Disadvantages: None if you can look back and laugh

...I received a phone call from my university student daughter last week commanding me to get myself down to the library and pick up a couple of books by Gina Davidson called “Treasure: The Trials of a Teenage Terror” and the follow up book called “What Treasure Did Next”. My daughter wondered if I was the secret author of these books using a pseudonym as it was as if someone had been a fly on the wall in our house during her horrible teenage years. I dutifully trotted off to the library the next day and picked up both of the books. I then spent the next two evenings doubled up with hysterical laughter and had to keep reading out sections to my other two little “treasures” as they where so intrigued as to what could render me helpless and crying laughing in a heap. As the titles suggest “... Read review

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Advantages: Slightly different to usual Disney films
Disadvantages: Few songs, boring in places

...I went to see this movie a few weeks ago, at a special preview, and I thought I'd better write an opinion before parents rush to take their children during half -term. From the title, you may guess that this film is based on Treasure Island, but it the usual Disney way, it is a little different from the original (mainly it is set in the future). To explain, let me tell you about the film: PLOT Jim Hawkins is a bright little boy who enjoys the legend of "Treasure Planet", and goes to bed reading the animated book every night. He is extremely good at school, and is always building futuristic projects of some description or another. This all changes as he gets older and his father leaves home. Jim's mother is left to raise him alone, whilst she runs her Tavern, which also doubles as a sort of "Space Port". Teenage Jim is a bit... Read review

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Advantages: A good, enjoyable script, with an excellent cast and decent direction. Good choice for all the family or just a friday night in
Disadvantages: Justin Bartha will either annoy you or seem like the loveable fool

...It seems that movie studios have suddenly caught up with the fact that Indiana Jones series were highly successful films. There now seems to be more and more ancient treasure hunting style movies being made. The two Tomb Raider movies lead the way and now we have the latest film from the Pirates of The Caribbean's producers, National Treasure. I seemed to miss this when it was out in the cinema but I decided to buy it on DVD, as I am quite a big fan of Nicholas Cage. Would it be any good or would I once again be left with that overwhelming sense of disappointment. Cage plays Ben Gates, the latest in a long line of the Gates family who wants to find the ancient Freemasons treasure. For years his dad, granddad, great granddad and so on have been looking unsuccessfully for the hidden treasure. With the financial backing of a rich British... Read review

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Advantages: enjoyable action adventure with Nic Cage on top form
Disadvantages: could have done with more action

...National treasure is a enjoyable action adventure which is directed by John turtletaub and produced by jerry bruckheimer.It stars Nicolas Cage as Benjamin frankiln Gates.Ever since he was a boy he has been obsessed with finding the historic knights templar,a fantastic fortune.As he tries to find the treasure he has on his trail the cunning Sean Bean and his henchman who want the treasure for themselves.In a battle against time he is required to steal one of the most guarded american documents" the declaration of independence" for it contains the secret key that point the way to the treasure.He was on his side the relucant Diane kruger and close friend Justin bartha as well as dad John voight.They will have to overcome many dangers to get to the treasure. Director John tutletaub is best known for Phenmomen(1996) that starred john... Read review

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Advantages: A variation on fish cakes
Disadvantages: Slightly bland tasting

...My children both like fish cakes, and although we make our own, we normally have a packet of fish cakes in the freezer for when we are in a rush for tea. When visiting Iceland recently, Amber spotted a packet of Iceland Ocean Treasures, which she said she would like to try. The Ocean Treasures are a mixture of white fish and potato, which are shaped into fish and star shapes, and coated with breadcrumbs, a nice variation on normal circular shaped fish cakes. A packet cost £1.39, although Iceland have these on special offer at the moment – 3 for £3.00. As with all Iceland products, Ocean Treasures are free from genetically modified ingredients, artificial colours and preservatives, which makes me more inclined to buy Iceland's own label foods. The Treasures can be either oven baked, grilled or fried. The sell by date... Read review

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Advantages: Nicholas Cage is great, yet again!
Disadvantages: They had to put the soppy love story in!

...I watched this film expecting it to be a tomb raider rip-off from what i saw in the trailer. But, i was pleasantly surprised. A great, well-thought out storyline (as in there is a lot of detail in it) and good action sequences. The only bad points were, it was a little predictable in parts! As well as a little unbelievable. ---- THE STORY The film starts off with a scene between young cage and his dad talking about this 'great treasure' that has been gathered for thousands of years and guarded by the freemasons. It has a few flashbacks to the past showing the treasure and fighting, etc. The treasure is enormous, from what it unbelievably shows, it could probably fill up the whole of central london! Anyways, this treasure was taken (obviously!) to america, where it was hidden. The exact place was lost, as people forgot about it... Read review

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