Monday, February 13, 2006

National Treasure

National Treasure is no treasure of a movie, but nevertheless I was amused by the nonserious fun it provided. If you're able to get over the insultingly bad pseudo-history, this movie is a fun treasure hunt. If you can't, then you won't be able to watch this.

Maybe Disney made this as a way to make kids think that history is cool. Hopefully, kids who see this won't learn false history.

This movie is not meant to be taken seriously, of course. The producers thought that it would be fun to tell a tale about a treasure hunt that involves the most guarded national document, The Declaration of Independence. Some people just can't get over the fact that there would be a hidden treasure map on the back of this document that they simply hate this film.

The film is simply meant to be another fun popcorn movie for the ignorant masses. Those who know anything about American history might not be able to swallow this story.

Nicholas Cage stars as a third generation treasure hunter who believes there is a treasure map hidden on the back of the Declaration of Independence. He gets his computer whiz friend to help him steal it from the Library of Congress.

Cage manages to steal it, despite extremely heavy security and an evil millionaire who is after the treasure too. He soon learns that the Declaration is just part of a series of clues that lead to the treasure. He still has a long ways to go to find the treasure.

I thought it was fun to watch. Some parts were laughable. On the back of the $100 dollar bill, there's supposedly a clock that says 2:22. I've got to check my Benjamin a little closer next time. I doubt I'd see it though. I wish the movie didn't make up things like this. It would have been so much cooler if they got the facts straight. It's based upon American history, but everything is just plain made up.

This movie reminds me a lot of the book, The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. I think the movie will be similar to this. In the Da Vinci Code, the story revolves around the genius codes of Leonardo Da Vinci. In National Treasure, the story centers around Benjamin Franklin's riddles. The two stories both involve solving these puzzles to find a treasure that will change the world.

One thing I don't get about the bad guy in this movie was how dumb he was. He was supposed to be smart, but he didn't know how to solve any of the riddles without Cage's help. Yet, he tried to kill Cage early in the movie. Each step of the way, he needed Cage to solve these puzzles, but the bad guy was so greedy he just wanted to finish Cage off too quickly. He should have had enough smarts to know that he needed Cage's help. He should have waited until he actually got the treasure and then killed him. Near the end, they thought they came to a dead end. The bad guy leaves him there and takes off to another place he thinks the treasure is. What an idiot! Cage finds the treasure and the FBI arrest the bad guy. Dumb!

Pros: Fun treasure hunt. Pretends to be smart, even though we all know it's all made up. Enjoyable if you don't take it seriously.

Cons: Absurd story with made up facts about American history. None of it is remotely true. Super dumb bad guys.

My rating: B, 82.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

The film is about America's secret society roots and possibly a shout out to Freemasons and beyond. The Freemasons and Knights of Templar are shown in a very positive light.

The secret maps and riddles might seem ridiculous, but as the bonus features in the DVD show, codes and other secretive methods were used in the founding of America. Some would say America was founded by secret socities.

Do some research and you'll appreciate the movie more whether you agree or not.

The movie and the acting in it were horrendouos, but the topics are quite interesting if you know the background.

David Kim said...

Well, there's a lot of speculation about the secretive Freemasons and the Knights Templar. I think a lot of people find them fascinating and love to create conspiracy theories about them.

I'm sure there were secretive societies that helped found America behind England's reign over the colonies. I just thought that the movie went too far in making up a secret map behind the Declaration of Independence. You can easily verify the truth behind the supposed secret maps and other riddles in the movie.

David Kim said...

Yes, I've learned about secret codes the founding fathers used to hide their plot against the English in elementary school.

This movie, although fun to watch, takes it to a ridiculous level.

I highly doubt this was a shout out to Freemasons. Come on! This is a freakin' Disney movie. Your conspiracy theory, although intriguing, seems to be too much of a stretch. Although it's fun to theorize, these same people tend to over emphasize the importance of a thing or event with their own self-important ideas.

Anonymous said...

"I highly doubt this was a shout out to Freemasons. Come on! This is a freakin' Disney movie."

It is clearly a tribute to Freemasonry. My my, you don't too much about Disney, do you.

http://www.guerrillanews.com/users/user.php?bid=2188

I don't know why state "your conspiracy theory". I never stated a theory. I also never asserted that the movie portrays reality. Please read more carefully.

Just know this - the Freemasons are a real fraternity and the original Knights of Templar were real (and arguably still are). Just open a history book and you'll see. You can decide what to think about them (from the mundane to the outlandish - this is why the movie is interesting!).

Many famous people were and are Masons. Many of the Founding Fathers, including George Washington were Masons. Remember, I'm not saying they are "bad" or "good".

Try wikipedia.

David Kim said...

Although it's very interesting to read about these secret societies, it's easy for conspiracy theory subscribers to take it too far.

These organizations may exist, but subscribers may be attributing way too much power than they actually hold.

The subject of 13 and 33 being all around us is urban legend. I've heard about plenty of stuff about how big corporations are a subterfuge for satanists. It makes the world seem more exciting, but it gives occultists too much credit.

Numerology is nothing more than symbols that people wish to find in things. There are even seminary classes offered about numerology in the bible. Even books such as the sensationalist Da Vinci Codes and the bible Codes and the like pander to the ignorant mass' hunger for wild conspiracies and hidden meanings.

Even stories of Walt Disney, who may have been a Free Mason, an Illuminati, snuff film producer, and a satanist, (but not a communist), can not be substantiated. The Truth is lost among the Living.

Even I like to use subtle symbols like using lower-case letters and Capital letters purposely when writing about certain things.

Are disney movies a form of mind-control on children and the World? Are the Illumanti allowing rumors to spread of their influence and power on purpose? I'll leave that open to discussion.

Anonymous said...

Separate fact from that which is less knowable. Let me help. Freemasonry is a real fraternity with a large list of famous and influential members. Their rituals are rife with references to ancient religions. Membership requires a belief in any Supreme Being, yet they claim not be a religion (sounds like America – religious tolerance yet our constant reference to “God”). Members pledge to help any Mason in need regardless of wrongdoing. Masons have secret handshakes and gestures (not so secret anymore). Finding hidden and multiple layers in things is emphasized (sounds like an English class). These are some boring facts. Take them as you will.

Sorry to disappoint, by Walt was most assuredly a Mason and this can be substantiated. Again, this is not necessarily as fantastic as you seem to indicate.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Freemasons

“Are disney movies a form of mind-control on children and the World?”

Well, I don’t think its mind-control in the way most people think. The kind of mind control where another’s mind is forcibly and coercively (think hypnosis) changed is not commonplace, I like to think. Moreover, it’s probably not an effective strategy.
If you mean mind-control in that it will influence or suggest how people should think, then certainly films are one medium of many. This is not surprising or new to you, is it? If it is, then you should really examine what you think and why. Everything around you influences you consciously and subconsciously. Why do you like what you do or buy what you do? Who do you vote for? How do feel about the war? Do you believe in God? You aren’t necessarily a fool (in fact, you may benefit), we all have limited resources to a greater or lesser extent in deciding what we can truly know or choose to believe or feel.
For example, in this movie, a person who watches this movie might remember the pride the grandfather had in knighting his grandson as a Templar Knight (don't forget the music, acting, and cinematography that made this emotionally powerful moment). This will influence him to think favorably of the Knights, especially if he's never heard of how the Knights were allegedly Baphomet worshippers (Of course the allegation of the Knights being devil worshippers is hotly contested, as some scholars believe that the Church spread misinformation for political purposes).

David Kim said...
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David Kim said...
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David Kim said...

Dear Fan,

Thanks for your insightful comments. You're my #1 fan, albeit anonymous.

I'm not saying Disney was not a Freemason. I'm saying some of the fantastical conspiracy theories and stories about him are unsubstantiated.

Also the mind control the conspiracy theorists are talking about is much more pernicious than the type you are describing.

I'm already using hidden meanings when I discuss g-d.

Are you saying Disney movies, particularly this film, is mind control? Than every movie is mind control. Everything we interact with in our lives is mind control.

I'm saying that the conspiracy theories out there are too much of a stretch for me to believe. It's actually too simplistic to think that a secret society is running everything. Life is much more complex than what any one group can control. If you do believe these theories, than you're not too far from church thinking.

The links you provided talk about the Freemasons and the Illuminati running Disney in their attempts to control the world. I agree that there are secret societies. I don't believe that the conspiracy theories that are written about them are true.

Anonymous said...

“Also the mind control the conspiracy theorists are talking about is much more pernicious than the type you are describing.”

I don’t like the word mind control. But do you honestly think that everyone is looking for everyone else’s good (even if they think they, are they?).

“Are you saying Disney movies, particularly this film, is mind control?”

I answered that already. Mind control is overrated. There are better ways to “control” minds.

“Than every movie is mind control. Everything we interact with in our lives is mind control.”

Again, not mind control as you might think, but yes it obviously influences you consciously and unconsciously. Moreover, it is done intentionally too.

“It's actually too simplistic to think that a secret society is running everything. Life is much more complex than what any one group can control.”

Consider a dictatorship. Does the dictator run everything? Well, I think it’s safe to say he can’t possibly run every single detail of everyone’s life, but on a higher level, I think you and I will agree that he and his henchmen certainly do control the country’s overall direction and thinking (what religion is promoted, what style of government, etc.). A nation is already millions of people, what more is two nations, or three… you get the picture. Now secret society is a loaded term. Call it what you want, but the fact is that relatively few people do have a disproportionate influence of what people generally think, feel, and do. This is not a new and fantastic concept, and you should not be surprised.

“The links you provided talk about the Freemasons and the Illuminati running Disney in their attempts to control the world.”

I think the phrase “controlling the world” is bit misleading. Look, everybody has beliefs and values that they believe are “good” and they try to spread it (intentionally or not) because that’s what they believe to be good and true. Most people want to do “good”. They want to pass the good news. Is this trying the control the world? What the about the movie The Passion, is that an attempt to control the world? How about the hidden meanings in the Chronicles of Narnia? What one calls witnessing or “sharing the good news” another calls mind control.

David Kim said...

Dear fan,

Well the previous article you sent me had links to wild conspiracy theories about Freemasons and the Illuminati attempting to overthrow the government.

What's your take on what the Freemasons are about?

Conspiracy theories are interesting, but I want the cold hard facts. I realize that facts are often times difficult to ascertain since we usually don't have first hand knowledge of what is going on. We usually get our info from second hand sources.

We learn about news and history through textbooks and newspapers. We just hope that those sources are credible and that those stories are accurate.

The Truth is even more difficult to achieve simply becomes it is subjective. There's always more than one side to a story.

Anonymous said...

I retract my statement referring to the Chronicles of Narnia. At the time I posted, I had neither seen the movie nor read the book. I was also unaware that the movie was a Disney film
After viewing the movie, its occult symbolism is literally in your face - you'd be blind not to see it. I won't spoil the film for you though.

David Kim said...

Dear fan,

I've read all the Narnia books and have reviewed the movie in a past post.

Do you think C.S. Lewis was a Freemason also? The movie was based on the book. I think it followed the book pretty closely.

I guess it all depends on how you interpret the symbols. xtians like to use the franchise as a witnessing tool, because they view it as an analogy to the christ story. If xtianity is based upon pagan origins, then the symbols used would be the same.

Btw, the symbols I use may not necessarily be considered symbolism. I like to be grammatically perfect. (I may make mistakes from time to time.) But, if you look carefully at how I write, you will see that I subtly Capitalize some words and purposefully use lower-case for other words. Unlike people whose typing abilities may be wanting, I perfectly type everything correctly. Therefore, if I do not Capitalize some words, it is not by accident. By not Capitalizing some words that one group considers sacrosanct, it may miff some people.

Anonymous said...

Did you not notice the prominence of the Baphomet/Pan imagery? A Christian only needs to know that the Baphomet symbol is adopted by the Church of Satan (btw, the Baphomet, Pan, Goat of Mendez predates even the Knights Templar, but that's beyond the scope of this discussion).
Did you not notice the use of magic by little Lucy to heal brother Edmond? David, what does the Church say about magic? However, keep in mind that magic is not totally absent in the Catholic Church (think relics...), but for most protestants such attributing power to objects is heresy. I'm sure there are more symbols that I've overlooked, but those two are especially salient.

No, I don't know if he is a Mason, but I don't think he is. I haven't read of his work, although I knew he ostensibly converted to Christianity. All I know is that his later works such as The Chronicles of Narnia are touted to be Christian allergories, but after viewing it (and if in fact the movie is true to the book as you say), I sincerely doubt it. And don't think He didn't know what the symbols meant, as he was well versed in the occult.

Anonymous said...

Did you not notice the prominence of the Baphomet/Pan imagery? A Christian only needs to know that the Baphomet symbol is adopted by the Church of Satan (btw, the Baphomet, Pan, Goat of Mendez predates even the Knights Templar, but that's beyond the scope of this discussion).
Did you not notice the use of magic by little Lucy to heal brother Edmond? David, what does the Church say about magic? However, keep in mind that magic is not totally absent in the Catholic Church (think relics...), but for most protestants such attributing power to objects is heresy. I'm sure there are more symbols that I've overlooked, but those two are especially salient.

No, I don't know if he is a Mason, but I don't think he is. I haven't read of his work, although I knew he ostensibly converted to Christianity. All I know is that his later works such as The Chronicles of Narnia are touted to be Christian allergories, but after viewing it (and if in fact the movie is true to the book as you say), I sincerely doubt it. And don't think He didn't know what the symbols meant, as he was well versed in the occult.

David Kim said...

Dear fan,

I am enjoying your insightful discussions immensely.

I've always thought it strange that xtians backed up C. S. Lewis' books as instruments of xtian proselytizing to children. There were some analogies to xtian themes, but there were obvious pagan symbols in the books as well. As a child, I loved the Chronicles of Narnia. I thought they were fantastic stories. I just liked the entertainment value the books provided. I didn't think too much about the underlying themes to the extent we are doing here.

As you may know, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien were close friends. I loved reading the Lord of the Rings when I was young as well.

Since I was always told that Lewis and Tolkien were great xtian writers, I didn't think that they were trying to spread their occultic beliefs in secret. This is a fascinating epiphany to me! I think they were ingenious to spread their hidden beliefs while receiving the backing of the church! They came off as towering xtian apologists, but shared their occultic stories with the world.

In the past few years, I have come to realize the insidious nature of the church. Once I woke up from the brainwashing of the church, I felt an incredible enlightenment. I must tell you how difficult it is to come out of the church's brainwashing if you grew up in its clutches. This xtian meme is incredibly difficult to be vaccinated from. Look how well, the meme adapts itself. Even in the face of logic, believers hold on to their beliefs because they are programmed to believe that faith is what will save them.

I have thought that the church was conspiring to control society. Now through our recent discussions, I have had a new epiphany. I think you are on to something. Now, I think that the church is being controlled by another force.

Perhaps, C.S. Lewis may not have been a Freemason per se, but he was involved in other secret societies such as "The Inklings" with Tolkien and the "Order of the Golden Dawn". The fact that millions of xtians are swallowing up his books, despite the obvious paganism involved, is hilarious to me. Lewis and Tolkien must be laughing their asses off at xtians.

When the Chronicles of Narnia first premiered, church leaders were hailing it as a powerful witnessing tool. How blind they were to those obvious pagan symbols! Somehow, because xtians believe that Lewis and Tolkien were devout xtians, they eat up their works without thinking. Even I, who thinks that the church has evil motives, didn't give it much thought until now. Now, I see your point. I used to just think they were both xtian apologists. Now, I see how great of a pair of manipulators they were. You've given me so much to think about. I'm going to have to blog about this for sure. I know I will especially make a detailed announcement when the second Narnia movie comes out.