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Justin Bartha as the wisecracking Riley

Of course, to some people, there are no coincidences, and here is the one aspect of these films that gives me pause. We live in a time when many people believe in some pretty outrageous conspiracy theories, and films like these have fun with that mindset but may also reinforce it, in a way. The "Book of Secrets" alluded to in the movie's title turns out to be a scrapbook that is passed on from one president to another, and no one else is allowed to read it—and according to FBI agent Peter Sadusky (Harvey Keitel), this book contains information on the John F. Kennedy assassination and various other alleged conspiracies. In an age of increasingly vocal so-called 9/11 "truthers," is this an attitude that ought to be encouraged?

Taken purely as entertainment, however, National Treasure: Book of Secrets is a reasonably enjoyable flick. History-movie buffs may get a kick out of seeing so many actors who have played real-life leaders in one movie: Mirren, so recently praised for her performance as Elizabeth II in The Queen, is back as another Brit in a film where other characters—not hers, alas—infiltrate Buckingham Palace; Voight, who rose from his wheelchair as Franklin Delano Roosevelt in Pearl Harbor, has a scene in this film where he talks about FDR wanting to keep his wheelchair hidden; and Bruce Greenwood, who played Kennedy in Thirteen Days, is back as "The President."

Helen Mirren as Benjamin's mom, Emily Appleton

Animation buffs may also get a kick out of an action sequence inspired by the Oscar-winning short film Balance, and fans of The Abyss may get a kick out of seeing Ed Harris deal with flooding water once again. However, as the new film's villain, Harris brings a seriousness or intensity to the proceedings that makes this film a little heavier than its predecessor (which featured Sean Bean as the bad guy).

The new film also features a sequence in which Benjamin is busy looking where he shouldn't be looking for something he shouldn't be looking for, and Abigail—who, remember, has broken up with Benjamin romantically, even if she can't resist joining him on another treasure hunt—distracts another man by striking some seductive poses and ultimately kissing him. (And since Benjamin has seen her bring this man home after a date before, he does have reason to be jealous.)

While the new movie is rated PG, just like its predecessor, and while the relationship issues are ultimately resolved in a way that no one could complain about, elements like these make the sequel slightly edgier than the film that came before it. But compared to a lot of other action movies, this one is still pretty safe—the hero does not carry a gun, for one thing—and its imaginative use of the past is bound to stimulate interest in American history, and who can complain with that?

Talk About It

1. How would you react if you found out if one of your ancestors might have been involved in a violent conspiracy? Would you feel obliged to clear his name, or to do something that would regain the family honor? Is Benjamin Gates justified in what he does to restore his great-great-grandfather's honor?
2. How far back in one's family tree should one go before such things don't really matter any more? Do Bible passages about families being punished or rewarded unto the fourth generation (Exodus 20:5; Numbers 14:18; 2 Kings 10:30) have any bearing here? What about other passages that say children should not be punished for the sins of their parents (Deuteronomy 24:16; 2 Chronicles 25:4 )?
3. How important is family? Note how both Benjamin Gates and Mitch Wilkinson talk about their respective families. Do they have something in common? Compare and contrast the ways that they deal with their respective families' reputations.

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