2004 Rewind: National Treasure


 

Film released in 2004 are celebrating their 20th Anniversary this year. As part of a look back at films celebrating an anniversary in 2024, I'm looking at five films I liked from 2004. Today, it's National Treasure.

Ben Gates: [standing in front of the Declaration of Independence] 180 years of searching, and I'm three feet away. Of all the words written here about freedom, there's a line here that's at the heart of all the others. "But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and provide new Guards for their future security." [pause] People don't talk that way anymore.
Riley Poole: Beautiful, huh? I have no idea what you said.
Ben Gates: It means if there's something something wrong, those who have the ability to take action have the responsibility to take action. [pause] I'm gonna steal it.

National Treasure
Starring: Nicholas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Sean Bean, Harvey Keitel, and Jon Voight
Director: Jon Turtletaub
About: It's hard to believe this is a film that's turning 20 years old. This was a fun film that spawned a sequel and a spin-off series on Disney+. There have been rumors of a third installment, which after a re-watch I'd be excited to see. I know we've gotten new Indiana Jones films in recent years, but this felt like a franchise picking up that mantle. I enjoy the focus on American history and the fun adventure of finding a treasure. Cage, Kruger, and Bartha make for a great team. There's humor here and good pacing. Bean makes for an effective villain and this moves at a good pace. We're entering the summer season, which makes it a perfect time to revisit this fun romp from 2004!

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