National Treasure: Widescreen DVD Review

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Title: National Treasure: Widescreen

Region: One

Genre: Action Adventure Caper

Stars: Nicolas Cage, Jon Voight, Harvey Keitel, Diane Kruger, Sean Bean, Justin Bartha, and Christopher Plummer

Writers: Jim Kouf, Cormac Wibberley, and Marianne Wibberley

Based On A Story By: Jim Kouf, Oren Aviv, and Charles Segars

Director: Jon Turteltaub

Feature length: 131 minutes

Extras: Alternate Ending, Deleted Scenes, and Opening Scene Animatic With Optional Director’s Commentary, “The Knights Of Templar” Featurette, “Treasure Hunters Revealed” Featurette, “Riley’s Decode This!” Featurette Plus Three Puzzling Challenges, Making Of Featurette

Languages: English and French Language Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

Subtitles: English Captions and Closed Captions and French and Spanish Language Subtitles

Packaging: Keep Case

Chapter Stops: 19

Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

Year of Theatrical Release: 2004/DVD Release: 2005

Theatrical Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures

Home Video Distributor: Walt Disney Home Entertainment

MPAA Rating: PG

Reviewer: Mark A. Rivera

The premise of “National Treasure” has Nicolas Cage along with a few companions searching for a lost treasure so great the Knights of Templar through the Free Masons hid in America because they felt it was too great for any one person to control. Of course there is another group searching to find the treasure for there own greedy needs and the FBI is chasing them all because the map that holds the key to finding the treasure happens to be behind the Declaration of Independence, which Cage’s group has stolen. “National Treasure” is a popcorn feature with action, adventure, and a bit of humor complete with a signature slick look from Producer Jerry Bruckheimer. If you are looking to just sit back and accept the silliness for what it is, “National Treasure” is a fun film that should satisfy action film fans looking for something a little different. The film is extremely predictable and at times laughable if you scrutinize it even slightly so don’t bother and just enjoy it for what it is.

The anamorphic widescreen (2.35:1) image is flawless with a rousing English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Soundtrack that kicks up the action a few notches. A French Language Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Soundtrack and English Captions and Closed Captions for the hearing impaired as well as French and Spanish Language Subtitles are encoded onto the DVD as options too. Within the keep case is an insert with detailed notes on the extra value materials, which randomly reveal clues if you watch them uninterrupted and without fast-forwarding through them. Usually Director John Turteltaub’s voice will recommend the viewer remember or note certain highlighted letters as clues to be used later. There is also a cheat within the booklet that enables the user to gain access to a second level of hidden bonus features. Just highlight the open book icon on the upper right hand side of the menu and press enter. Then select the numbers 3,9, 7 and you’ll have access to the second level of bonus features. I missed a few clues while watching the first level of extra value materials and since it appears that these letters are given at random, I had difficulty finding everything I uncovered again to a point where I just got tired of it and gave up. So be sure to keep a pen and paper beside you when viewing the extras so you don’t have to look for anything twice.

On the first level of bonus materials there is the standard behind-the-scenes “Making Of Featurette” (11:17) and then Director John Turteltaub provides an optional video introduction as well as optional audio commentary for two letterboxed deleted/extended scenes (7:51), an alternate ending (1:50), and an early animatic of the opening sequence (2:50). All of these options can be viewed individually or can be accessed using the “Play All” feature found on each respective submenu. Turteltaub’s comments are actually quite thoughtful and interesting. He’s a good speaker and it is a shame a feature length audio commentary was not recorded for the entire film with him. Within the second level of bonus materials that you must access with the code numbers 3, 9, and 7, there is a featurette on real life treasure hunters (8:35) as well as a featurette exploring the legend behind “The Knights Templar” (5:01). “Riley’s Decode This!” (3:19) , which is narrated by Justin Bartha in character from the film and actually gives a nice quick and educational talk on Cryptography and in particular Egyptian hieroglyphics. Three interactive puzzles follow that grow in difficulty as the viewer completes each one. This can be a bit tedious at times, but it is still a nice set top feature. A Verizon TV spot (: 37) with images from the film intercut with the guy with the glasses who asks “Can hear me now?” and then replies into his cell phone “Good” is included and I thought it was rather cool. Information on interactive “National Treasure” mobile phone games as well as hints is also included as onscreen notes. A reel of bonus trailers for “Herbie Fully Loaded,” “The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy,” “Tarzan II,” “ The Pacifier,” “Scrubs,” “America’s Heart And Soul,” “Sacred Planet,” and the hit ABC TV series “ALIAS” are also provided. The main interactive menu is animated with motion transitions to still frame menus and all are very well rendered and easy to navigate.

“National Treasure: Widescreen” will debut on DVD-Video as well as UMD for the Sony PSP™ on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at retailers on and offline courtesy of Walt Disney Home Entertainment.

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