review: NATIONAL TREASURE 2: BOOK OF SECRETS (Blu-ray)

Walt Disney  //  Buy from Amazon.com Treasure hunter Benjamin Franklin Gates is back - and this time it's personal. When his great grandfather is implicated in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Ben (Nicolas Cage) is determined to clear his name, even if it means bringing together his acrimoniously divorced parents (Jon Voight and Helen Mirren). In a rollicking adventure that ranges from Buckingham Palace to Mount Rushmore, Gates pursues the infamous Book of Secrets, said to contain the truth about everything from Ben's grandfather to the JFK murder. Only one man has access to the storied volume - the president of the United States (Bruce Greenwood), and he won't part with it willingly. As hidden clues and long buried mysteries emerge, National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets build to an unforgettable, heart pounding climax. For as much as I genuinely enjoyed the first "National Treasure," i was surprised at how bored and disinterested I was in the sequel. Sure, my fondness for Nic Cage had waned (considerably) since I saw the first in the theater... and this film seemed a whole lot more "formulaic" than the first... but I think what I was most struck by most was just how boring the sequel was. I really think this one was just a pacheck for everyone involved - actors, director, even studio - no doubt they all got paid, but the end result if a pretty flat affair. Now, to be fair, this isn't a snoozer of a film - it does entertain at times - but perhaps it'd be more accurate to say that everyone dialed in their performances or involvement (definite sense of "painting by numbers" here.) And, c'mon - a few bottles of watter splashed on the rocks to uncover the secret entrance into Mt. Rushmore? C'mon - let me try to believe some of this at least... Anyway, not great, but still mildly entertaining... Just don't expect much and you'll be good. Video 2.40:1 widescreen high-def transfer and it looks stupendous - just like Part 1 (and, honestly, every other Blu-ray release from Disney thus far), this is a truly great-looking transfer and will make your high-def TV purr with delight. Audio A Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround mix is on par with the visuals, delivering a rich, enveloping sonic experience. Extras audio commentary w/ director & John Voight "Book of History: Fact and Fiction of National Treasure" video stream deleted scenes w/ optional commentary outtakes/bloopers 8-part making of featurette Closing Thoughts Mindless, but fun, popcorn movie + nice extras = decent follow-up to a very entertaining film