Crystal Hohenthaner

While one man’s trash can certainly be another man’s treasure, one man’s idea of a great flick can be another’s idea of a stinker.

The Plot: In order to protect an enourmous treasure Benjamin Franklin Gates, played by Nicholas Cage, has to steal the Declaration of Independance. He then has to decipher the clues on the back of the document along with his nerdy sidekick and a beautiful blonde genius.

The Trash: The thing is, the plot is a stretch at best. I mean when is the last time a scavenger hunt of epic proportion paid off?

The Treasure: Once you get past the initial, “there’s no way that could happen,” response it sure is a fun little adventure.

Gates character is part Indiana Jones with a splash of Jack Ryan and it’s hard not to love him for it. Personally I really dig the nerdy assistant Riley played by Justin Bartha and I hope to see Mr Bartha in another film soon.

The movie is full of twists and it avoids anything unseemly. There’s no blood, no gore, no sex and barely any violence and it still manages to be exciting.

Heck, with all the info about America’s founding fathers you just might learn something.

Four and a half stars out of five

#1.885536:2489995466.jpg:national treasr.jpg:Gates uses the case holding the Declaration of Independance as a shield as he makes his escape.: