National Treasure: Book of Secrets Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Nic Cage kidnaps the President to read a secret book and find a gold city under Mount Rushmore to prove his great-great-grandpappy wasn’t a bad guy.

🍿 National Treasure: Book of Secrets: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Lincoln Conspiracy

The film opens with a flashback to 1865, depicting Thomas Gates, a skilled puzzle-solver, being approached by John Wilkes Booth to decode a message. This message turns out to be a map to the mythical City of Gold, Cibola. After Lincoln’s assassination, Thomas destroys the map to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. In the present day, Ben Gates, Thomas’s descendant, is accused of having a conspiratorial ancestor involved in the assassination. To clear his family name, Ben embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind the missing page of Booth’s diary.

Following the Clues

Ben, along with his father Patrick, ex-girlfriend Abigail, and friend Riley, follows a series of clues that take them across the globe. Their journey leads them to Paris, London, and eventually back to the United States. They uncover hidden messages in the Statue of Liberty and Buckingham Palace, revealing a connection to the legendary Book of Secrets.

The Book of Secrets

The Book of Secrets, rumored to contain the answers to the greatest mysteries in American history, becomes the key to unlocking the truth about Thomas Gates. To access it, Ben must kidnap the President of the United States. Inside the book, they find a photo of a plank which leads them to Mount Rushmore and ultimately, the City of Gold.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage): A determined treasure hunter who seeks to clear his ancestor’s name and uncover the secrets of the past.
• Abigail Chase (Diane Kruger): An archivist and Ben’s former girlfriend who reluctantly joins the treasure hunt, providing her expertise and wit.
• Riley Poole (Justin Bartha): A tech-savvy and humorous sidekick who assists Ben with his knowledge of technology and conspiracy theories.
• Patrick Gates (Jon Voight): Ben’s father, a former treasure hunter himself, who offers his knowledge and experience to aid in the quest.
• Emily Appleton (Helen Mirren): Ben’s mother and Patrick’s ex-wife, an expert in ancient languages, who aids in deciphering crucial clues.
• Mitch Wilkinson (Ed Harris): A rival treasure hunter who initially seeks to profit from the lost city but ultimately helps in its discovery.
• Sadusky (Harvey Keitel): A persistent FBI agent who shadows Ben’s activities, torn between his duty and his understanding of Ben’s motives.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ben Gates: “I’m gonna steal the President.” – Ben matter-of-factly states his plan to Abigail and Riley as the only way to access the Book of Secrets.
• Riley Poole: “Oh, I’m sorry, were you about to utter a witty one-liner?” – Riley says this sarcastically to Ben after Ben makes a witty comment while they are being pursued.
• Mitch Wilkinson: “I’m not gonna die last.” – Mitch, showing his selfish nature, says this during the climax of the film while the team balances on a rotating pillar with a deadly drop below.
• President: “Page 47.” – Said by The President to Ben, in the closing scene to set up a possible sequel.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $130,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $219,964,115
• Worldwide Gross: $459,242,249

💥 National Treasure: Book of Secrets Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed ‘National Treasure: Book of Secrets’! It’s a fun, fast-paced adventure with Nicolas Cage doing his thing. The puzzles were engaging, and I loved seeing the team travel to different iconic locations. Helen Mirren’s addition to the cast added a great dynamic. The scene where they’re balancing on the platform in Cibola was super intense, and overall, the movie left me feeling entertained.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of the first National Treasure movie.”
  • “Those interested in historical mysteries and conspiracy theories.”
  • “Families looking for an action-adventure film.”
  • “Nicolas Cage fans.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some action violence.”
  • “Brief peril and suspenseful scenes.”

Professional Reviews

• ScreenRant: “A fun, if somewhat far-fetched, adventure that manages to be entertaining despite its plot holes. Cage is in full treasure-hunting mode, and the supporting cast delivers.
• IMDB: “An enjoyable movie filled with adventure, and a strong cast. It has exciting action scenes that feel straight out of an Indiana Jones movie. However, its greatest weakness lies within its rushed scenes and an unsatisfactory ending.
• IMDB: “If you’re looking for something different, more clever, or intellectually stimulating, read the Da Vinci Code again and don’t bother with this film. If you want more quirky, ridiculous, treasure-seeking fun that picks up right where the last left off, this is your ticket.

Audience Reactions

The humor, particularly from Justin Bartha’s character, was a standout for many viewers.: Most viewers enjoyed the fast-paced adventure and intricate puzzles that kept them guessing.

The family dynamic with the addition of Helen Mirren brought heart to the story: Many were excited by the historical locations and found them captivating

Overall Consensus: While not groundbreaking, ‘National Treasure: Book of Secrets’ is a fun, family-friendly adventure with a good cast and plenty of action.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Disney discovered that the shooting schedule at Mount Rushmore would displace the local Hill City High School prom. To make up for this, Disney paid for the prom by providing transportation to a new location, door prizes, and scholarships.”
• “During filming, Amir Mokri was replaced by John Schwartzman as director of photography due to ‘creative differences’ with director Jon Turteltaub.”

🖥️ How to Watch National Treasure: Book of Secrets?

National Treasure: Book of Secrets is available to stream on Disney+. You can also rent or purchase the movie on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for broadcast schedules.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed National Treasure: Book of Secrets, you might like these similar films:

• National Treasure (2004): The original film that started the treasure-hunting adventure, with the same characters and themes.
• Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981): A classic adventure film featuring a charismatic archaeologist racing against time to find a priceless artifact.
• The Da Vinci Code (2006): A mystery thriller centered on solving historical puzzles and conspiracies.
• Tomb Raider (2018): A modern action-adventure film featuring a determined protagonist exploring dangerous locations to uncover ancient secrets.

🛒 National Treasure: Book of Secrets Related Products

• National Treasure 2-Movie Collection (National Treasure / National Treasure: Book of Secrets) [Blu-ray]: Get both National Treasure movies in stunning Blu-ray quality. Enjoy hours of entertainment and relive the adventures of Benjamin Gates and his crew.
• LEGO Architecture Mount Rushmore 21019 Building Kit: A highly detailed LEGO model of Mount Rushmore, featuring realistic sculpting and colors, perfect for display.
• National Treasure – The Official Movie Novelization: Relive the adventure in novel format.
• Funko Pop! Movies: National Treasure – Benjamin Franklin Gates: Showcase your fandom with this stylized Funko Pop figure. A must-have for any National Treasure enthusiast.

🎧 Soundtrack

National Treasure: Book of Secrets features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Familiar Places II” – performed by Barry De Vorzon, Richard Hazard
• “National Treasure: Book of Secrets – Suite” – performed by Trevor Rabin

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Strange Death of National Treasure

If you enjoyed the National Treasure movies, you’ll be intrigued by this video. It explores the fascinating reasons behind the lack of a third installment, offering a behind-the-scenes perspective on the film industry’s decision-making process.

NATIONAL TREASURE IS QANON FOR KIDS

Prepare for a hilarious and thought-provoking journey as you listen to this commentary track on the National Treasure movies. It’s like having a fun-loving critic sitting beside you, guiding you through the films with witty insights and a fresh perspective.

nicholas goes brittish on national treasure 2

Get ready to chuckle as you watch this clip showcasing Nicolas Cage’s hilarious British accent in National Treasure 2. It’s a brief but memorable moment that will leave you smiling and wanting more.

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