Warning: Minor Spoilers below...
Well, I won't go into details about the plot, but here's my little review of National Treasure. First off, I wouldn't call this an Indy rip-off. Where Indiana Jones is an adventure movie w/ action and stunts, National Treasure is an action movie w/ stunts and adventure. Clocking in at 125 minutes, the movie allows for a blend of a lot of genres. The majority of the movie will appeal to fans of espionage and cat-and-mouse chases. Fans of James Bond, Tom Clancy, etc. will love watching Ben (lead character played by Nicholas Cage) and the team infiltrate the National Archives to steal the Declaration of Independence. If stealth isn't your thing, the beginning of the movie on the Charlotte will appeal to Tomb Raider fans. But what I enjoyed the most about the movie was the ending. If the first 100 minutes didn't have enough torch lit "creepy tunnels" and puzzles, then sit back and enjoy the climax. The finale is definitly for Indiana Jones fans.
Now being a Disney film, don't expect any fights with the bad guy getting killed in the propeller of a plane or getting smashed in a rock crusher (you get the idea). Like I said above, do expect a lot of cat-and-mouse chases through various cities. This is definitely a movie with families in mind. It has enough wit and stunts to keep adults' interest, and it has plenty of comical one-liners (courtesy of Riley, the little annoying side kick that most adventure movies seem to have) to get the little ones' attentions.
Summary:
The Good - The blend of genres will appeal to a large fan base. The story line is good enough to make watchers think, could there really be a treasure out there somewhere that our founding fathers left clues for us to find?
The Bad - It would have been nice to see this movie not so family oriented. The comical lines were, at times, unneeded and took away from the serious parts of the film.
Indy Factor - Watching the group, torches in hand, creep through dark tunnels for the treasure will more than appeal to all the Raiders around the world. Plus the relationship that Ben has with his father is definitely reminiscent of the Jones Boys in Last Crusade.
Rating (Out of 5):