It's not very often that I enjoy a sequel as much as an original, which is really unfortunate since that's all Hollywood seems to want to make lately. This is a great film. It's not even overly dependent on the first film. If you had seem the first film you'll enjoy it a bit more but you won't be lost like you would in a lot of sequels. It also sets up a third movie although it does so in a rather creative manor instead of just chopping the plot in half or having the bad guy get away, etc. Nobodies going to win any awards for this, but it was fun. Go see it.

What about the PG” Rating?

Mostly for violent sequences. Our society has become so risk averse that very concept of adventure means it can't be general admittance.

What if I hate Nicolas Cage?

I personally love Cage as an actor. I think he's brilliant, but I created this category because many popular actors aren't popular in every demographic. They are liked by women but not young men or vise versa. Some just rub you the wrong way.

This is a standard Nick Cage movie. If you like him you'll like the film. If you don't like him he'll annoy you. Last time I reviewed Cage I listed “ConAir” and “Leaving Los Vegas” as atypical Cage movies that are worth seeing. This time I'll add “8mm.” I'll put it right next to “Leaving Los Vegas” as a fantastic/wonderful/amazing film I hope to never see again and kinda wish I hadn't seen the first time.

Larger Story

In addition to the adventure aspects of this movie, which are pretty obvious, I love it for the same reason I loved its predecessor. It's a film about a man's passion. And what better to be passionate about than US history. This film ignites the imagination, excites the our core need for adventure and sets a standard of patriotism I used to believe in as a boy.

Ok, sure, the treasure represents wealth and fame, but it could stand for anything including the “pearl of great price.” An adventurous journey, unlocking secrets that lead to what you've always believed could be real. That's life abundant. That's something that calls out to every man or woman and something deep inside us aches to answer that call. Plus, there is a great exchange between Gates and the President of the United states.

Writers: Cormac Wibberley, and Marianne Wibberley.
Directed by Jon Turteltaub
Running time: 1 hr 4 mins.
Rated PG

This is a fantastic movie for men age 13 to 50. Women will probably find it ok. Cool cars, hot women, guns, planes, trucks, explosions, monster robots, I can't figure out why I was so sure this movie would flop. There are plot devises, like a secret map etched into old glasses, which might have been used to make the movie more suspenseful and dynamic but the editors made the call to minimize such things to keep the fast, adventure pacing.

What about the “PG-13” Rating?

There are several strong innuendos and it would be tempting to judge a couple scenes of Megan Fox looking hot in tight clothes as pure objectification but for two things. First is that the perspective is clearly not between us and the actress, but between an unpopular teen boy and a popular teen girl. The flirtation, etc. makes sense in context. The second factor is the conversation they have about being superficial and seeing deeper into who she is. It's very redeeming.

The larger story

This is a movie about honor and sacrifice. See if this sounds familiar there's a war between good and evil somewhere in the stars and the great evil comes to earth seeking power, and the hero of the good guys comes to save the day even if it means giving his life.

What this movie shows, that many films don't, is the role humans play in all this, and the care and concern these powerful beings have for them. It's a very inspiring thing.