When in Doubt, Blame The Templars

Shari & I watched National Treasure Saturday night... some quick thoughts on it:

• it's still weird to me that Nicolas Cage, who began his career with odd roles like the husband/boyfriend in Peggy Sue Got Married (hated the movie) and H.I. McDunnough in Raising Arizona (favorite line from one of my favorite films: "Now, what's it gonna be young feller? You want I should freeze or get down on the ground? 'Cause if'n I freeze, I can't rightly drop. And if'n I drop, I'm gonna be in motion.")... anyway, how in the world did Nick Cage end up being an action movie hero? Harrison Ford I get, Bruce Willis I understand, Gov. Arnold is a no-brainer... but Nicolas Cage?
• this is a Walt Disney film that reminds me (with the exception of a couple of swear words) of the classic Walt Disney live action films like 20,000 Leagues or Treasure Island - a full-on adventure movie with a sense of humor. Of course, the production values are a whole lot better, but it's still just a few judicious edits away from being on Wonderful World of Disney.
• I found myself grinning at the references to the Knights Templar, as I've been studying The Da Vinci Code in preparation for the release of the movie next year. (My congregation isn't likely to jump on the bestselling book bandwagon, but they are likely to see a blockbuster film - and the release date for Ron Howard's production is May of 2006.) So, it's funny to see that Dan Brown turned them into the group that hides the "secrets" about Jesus while the folks who wrote National Treasure made them guardians of a huge treasure. It's one of those "when you're not around to defend yourself, you get painted whatever color the artist likes." (BTW, this same rule works in committee life: if you're not there, you're likely to get assigned the scut work. Sigh.)
• quickie review: this is a good DVD rental... a fun adventure movie with a bit of humor. It's not going to win any awards, but it makes for a nice brain dead evening.
• for a better use of the Crusades in a fictional story, check out Stephen Lawhead's amazing Celtic Crusades trilogy.