Here is a movie that makes no apologies. It is a crowd pleaser that takes itself serious enough to convey strong emotions and situations yet never attempts to be a serious, edgy oscar-worthy film. With its blistering pace, fun puzzles, and historical pieces it appeals to anyone able to check their triple-hopped IPA’s at the door and throw down with racks of Coors Light. This movie stands the test of time as a conventional pop-corn flick for most to enjoy.

It offers up more than acceptable acting as exemplified by a scene roughly 15 minutes into the film where Nicolas Cage under threat of gunpoint comes up with a bluff about having insider knowledge of a riddle; initiating a tense game of chicken and threat of explosion. This example along with the rest of the film are moments where the acting shines. The acting may not be as perfect as I remember from childhood but there are no moments where the viewer is taken out of the moment due to it. The pacing is unrelenting and is among few movies that can contain a segment with the lead suggesting he steal the Declaration of Independence to it being stolen and out of the building within 20 minutes (Minute 28 – Minute 48). This is particularly important for kids or adults with short attention spans and will keep the viewers engaged throughout the 2 hour 11 minute adventure.

Recent critics seem to be in agreement that while the movie has it’s flaws it certainly is entertaining. [Current1] Another review from a viewer named JT sums up people’s feelings towards National Treasure, “Improbable. Check. Plot holes. Check. Fun entertaining ride. Also check.” [Current2] The movie has evolved in time from being nearly universally hated by critics for poor acting and plot holes. [Original1] and  [Original2] Looking back it is clear that there was a split between critics and audiences as the general audience seemed to enjoy the movie more. The critics main complaint of an absurd plot was overlooked because of how entertaining it is. As time has progressed reviewers have come around to the acknowledgment of it being an imperfect but fun movie.

This movie also follows the pattern where audience reviews the movie significantly higher than the critics. At the moment on RottenTomatoes the audience has it at 76% favorable with only 45% of critics finding it favorable.This discrepancy in current reviews vs old reviews shows how historians could misinterpret an event. In this scenario historians seem to be correcting over exaggerations made at the time of release. The movie is enjoyable and conventional enough that the mass public will enjoy it even if the critics may not. The critic vs audience discrepancy displays how the industry does not always know what the audience want in a movie.

National Treasure encompasses a sincere feeling of adventure through its rapid pace and drama. The puzzles the cast need to solve along the way keep a viewer engaged. The film tugs along the heart-strings of Americans with a sense of national pride even if its interpretation of american history is mixed with a grandiose fiction that stems into the absurdity that critics and some viewers disliked.

Connor Zabrocki