Watching the commercials, the entire family was looking forward to National Treasure. Then the reviews came out and our enthusiasm was dampened. The discussion over Thanksgiving weekend regarding whether to see it lasted hours. It was only our inability to agree on a different movie that tilted the scales in favor of seeing National Treasure after all.

Apparently, the film released here in the foothills of Southern California is different from whatever dreck they sent the reviewers. I liked it, the family liked it, and from the appreciative noises around us, an entire movie theater full of people liked it.

The film combines historical trivia, Indiana Jones-style archaelogy, a couple of riddles, a few high speed chases, and a lot of humor top lead us through a scavenger hunt through the landmarks of American history. If you think of it as a scavenger hunt, you'll have about the right level of expectation. Apparently the reviewers expected something more. An exposition of history perhaps? A classic action film? Political statements? Bah. the characters are there to entertain, not teach us, and plot trumps all. Still, we all had a good time and there's a lot to be said for that.

Justin Bartha, as Nicholas Cage's sidekick, steals the show and is alone enough to make the movie worth watching. His comedic timing is surprisingly accurate. In addition, he acts as incredulous as the viewer feels at the increasingly unlikely scenarios that he finds himself (and the audience) in. Once the surprise is expressed, the the story drags you back in.

National Treasure continues to top the box office after three weeks. There's a reason why.

Blogcritics has its own treasure of info on the movie. Other reviews are here and here. An interview with Nicholas Cage is here. Background info on the National Archives here and factchecking the history here.