National Treasure (2004)

History Disney Style

National Treasure is an adventure movie for the whole family. Using some of the myths in history, like the knights templar treasure and freemasons, it creates an interesting plot that feels much more real than those of Indiana Jones movies, for example.

There isn't much fiction in the movie - it creates a "this could be true" feeling using something what we don't know for certain, not by rewriting the history. It felt like a better version of the Da Vinci Code movie with less fiction. There is a lot of small historical remarks, like Thomas Paine's Common Sense showing in one tiny scene, that really shows the team behind the movie is gone all out to create something plausible.

After watching a lot supernatural Indiana Jones movies with fast action and violence, National Treasure was a welcome change. The only feat of the hero was the knowledge of history. There was still plenty of stuff going on, but the movie didn't have to rely on fistfights and otherwordliness to be interesting.

This is the kind of movie that the whole family can enjoy together - even adults, and not just because the kids are enjoying. Recommended to everyone!

My rating of National Treasure: