Point by Point: National Treasure: Book of Secrets 4/10

Basically the plot is the exact same as the first movie, only this time treasure hunter Nicolas Cage is searching for the lost city of gold, the location of which is hidden in the Presidential Book of Secrets. If you haven't seen the first one, think Da Vinci Code. If you've missed all 3, you are a lucky person indeed.

The Good: As with the first movie, the sole fun comes from the historically based treasure hunt. Sure, it's absolutely improbable and does a number on the facts, but it's a halfway entertaining idea. And Justin Bartha as Cage's cohort is again the only worthwhile character, adding some actual funny moments to an otherwise ponderous movie.

The Bad: Trying to follow the leaps of logic required to solve the "clues" given will just lead to headaches. And even if you leave your brain in the other room, the non-villian villain, the boring action and the worst performance by a multi-Oscar winning cast since Virtuosity means this is one to avoid.

The Ugly: Nic Cage's haircut. There is no reason he has to look so stupid.

Points Pondered

• If there really was a President's Book of Secrets, I'd run for the office on the platform of letting everyone know all the cool stuff about Area 51, the JFK assassination, etc. I would win in a landslide. And then I would mysteriously and tragically accidentally strangle myself while tying my shoe.


• It's hard to accuse an Oscar winner of slumming when he was once in Anaconda. Sorry Jon Voight. Oh, and your daughter is really hot.


• Ed Harris was an awesome not-quite-a-villain bad guy in The Rock. Here, he just sucks.