Nicolas Cage leads a historical treasure hunt in 2004’s National Treasure—a fun, fast-paced adventure that blends puzzles, patriotism, and pure escapism. The film celebrates 15 years in November 2019.

Directed by Jon Turteltaub and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, National Treasure follows Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicolas Cage) as he races to uncover a hidden trove of riches tied to American history. With its clever riddles, daring heists, and imaginative conspiracy theories, the film still holds up as a crowd-pleasing ride more than a decade later.

At the heart of National Treasure is a wildly imaginative premise: a secret treasure map hidden on the back of the Declaration of Independence. While the concept may sound absurd, it’s executed with enough charm and conviction that it becomes irresistible. From the moment Gates learns of his family’s secret legacy as protectors of a historical mystery, we’re swept into a journey that takes us from frozen Arctic wrecks to the National Archives, and all the way to hidden tombs located beneath Trinity Church in Manhattan.

The story begins with a flashback. A young Benjamin Gates learns from his grandfather (Christopher Plummer) about their ancestor Thomas Gates, who was entrusted with a secret by Charles Carroll, the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence. Supposedly, the Freemasons and Knights Templar hid a massive treasure, and the clue to finding it was passed down through generations. Naturally, Ben’s father, Patrick (Jon Voight), dismisses it all as fantasy. But Ben, ever the believer, dedicates his life to solving the mystery.

Flash forward to the present day (mid-2000s), and Gates, with tech wizard Riley Poole (Justin Bartha) by his side, uncovers the wreck of a ship called the Charlotte. Inside is a pipe containing a clue that leads him to the Declaration itself. Unfortunately, his backer Ian Howe (Sean Bean) wants to steal the document for profit. When Gates refuses, the two part ways—and the race is on. To prevent the Declaration from falling into the wrong hands, Gates concludes the only way to protect it is to steal it himself.

This sets off one of National Treasure’s most entertaining sequences, with Gates infiltrating the National Archives during a gala. Along the way, he inadvertently involves Dr. Abigail Chase (Diane Kruger), a skeptical historian who soon becomes an ally. Together, Gates, Chase, and Riley follow a series of clever historical riddles through Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, including puzzles based on the Silence Dogood letters, the Liberty Bell, and Independence Hall.

National Treasure is undeniably a love letter to American history, even if it plays fast and loose with the facts. One of the more notable errors includes the use of a $100 bill clue referencing a clock tower design that didn’t exist in 1776. Similarly, the real Trinity Church in New York burned down during the Revolutionary War, making its underground tombs implausible at best. Still, these anachronisms are forgivable in service of a good story. The film doesn’t aim for strict accuracy—it aims for excitement and accessibility.

And it largely succeeds. The chemistry between the main trio is engaging, with Cage striking a perfect balance between nerdy enthusiasm and action hero swagger. Riley serves as comic relief, and Kruger brings a grounded intelligence to her role. Sean Bean does what he does best—play a memorable villain with just enough menace.

The pacing moves quickly, never lingering too long in one location, and the treasure hunt format lends itself well to the episodic structure of the film. Trevor Rabin’s musical score enhances the action, channeling the spirit of classic adventure films like Raiders of the Lost Ark while giving National Treasure its own identity.

While National Treasure isn’t as iconic or polished as Indiana Jones, it still stands as a highly entertaining entry in the adventure genre. It’s smart enough for adults, accessible for teens, and endlessly rewatchable. It even inspired a 2007 sequel and a Disney+ series years later, a testament to its enduring popularity.

In the end, National Treasure is a fun, family-friendly film that turns American history into a puzzle box of intrigue and excitement. It’s far from perfect, but it’s a ride worth taking—again and again.

DIRECTOR: Jon Turteltaub
SCREENWRITERS: Jim Kouf and Cormac Wibberley & Marianne Wibberley
CAST: Nicolas Cage, Jon Voight, Harvey Keitel, Diane Kruger, Sean Bean, Justin Bartha, and Christopher Plummer, David Dayan Fisher, Stewart Finlay-McLennan, Oleg Taktarov, Armando Riesco, Annie Parisse, Erik King, Ron Canada, Don McManus

Walt Disney Pictures released National Treasure in theaters on November 19, 2004. The film is available on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital. Grade: 4/5

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