National Treasure (Walt Disney Pictures, 2004, PG)
I may have discovered the secret of enjoying movies: low expectations. All I had known about National Treasure was that it had something to do with a puzzle in American history, and when I learned that it was instead more along the lines of The Da Vinci Code, I wanted nothing to do with it. My knowledge of history is shaky enough as it is—the last thing I need is another set of false "facts" cluttering up my brain, a la Braveheart and Amadeus. But I was assured the movie is so unbelievable that would not be a problem, and indeed that I probably wouldn't like it because of the great, glaring impossibilities.
So, armed with that knowledge, I really did enjoy the movie, in the same way that I enjoyed Raiders of the Lost Ark. Once you know it's ridiculous, it's actually funny. They even got some of the history right.
Between the two of us, we guessed a lot of the plot and even some of the lines, but the movie is about a puzzle so that only added to the enjoyment. And I always like seeing places I know, like Philadelphia's Franklin Institute and Independence Hall.
The rating is PG, but I didn't find anything that would make me issue a granchild warning—in fact, it reminded me of the McGuyver shows they like so much.We have friends at church who were amazed we hadn't seen this yet and recommended it to us. Thanks for another recommendation.
What didn't you like about Braveheart?
Hi, Katie -- good to hear from you again.
I loved Braveheart—it was the only R-rated movie we ever took our underage daughter to—but I was severely disappointed to find out later that they'd taken a lot of liberties with history. (Amadeus has the same problem.) I enjoy historical fiction, but only when it's clear what's history and what's fiction. I wish movie makers would either stick with the truth or make up entirely new characters altogether.
