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Upcoming Adventure Writer Blog Events
This week, look forward to the reviews for some of December 2010′s latest films. One provides comedy relief – while the other seems to try a bit too much…
Post-A-Day March will introduce the brand-new Nintendo 3DS (check out my preliminary review) and our lengthy, in-depth series thereof. Hopefully along with Scorpia Rising, the latest novel by Anthony Horowitz (which may go into April)!
Post-A-Day May through December will introduce back-to-back movies, such as Sherlock Holmes II and Transformers III.
Thanks for keeping up with the Adventure Writer Blog!
Cordially,
Adventure Writer
Double Review: National Treasure 1/2/(3)
Cover of National Treasure (Widescreen Edition)
With a third installment on it’s way next Christmas (see “Recommendations” for details), I thought it’d be a good idea to reflect back on this terrific, action-packed, suspense-filled, adrenaline pumped series. The National Treasure franchise has been distributed by Walt Disney Pictures and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer – starring Nicholas Cage as the main character, Benjamin Franklin Gates.
Benjamin Gates is a sort of modern day Indiana Jones, without the James Bond attitude (with which Indy has become famous) – having a rather more fitting personality for the film’s environment. Gates is a history buff and a treasure hunter, one tying in with the other. His passion for history fuels his desire for discovery, leading him into exciting adventures and precarious situations…
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In the first movie, Benjamin Gates is seeking The Charlotte, and old colonial ship which is said to contain that “secret” that will either contain or lead to the unimaginable treasure of the Knight’s Templar. He is accompanied by his tech-savvy friend Riley Poole, and a man with a bit of steel to his attitude - Ian Howe. After the discovery of the ship leads to a clue, indicating that there is a “map” at the back of the famous Declaration of Independence, the crew find themselves at a momentary standstill. Ian however, finds a speedy solution – why not “borrow” the Declaration of Independence for a bit? Appalled by Ian’s blunt malice, Gates refuses to take part, leading into a literal firefight between Ian’s gang and Gate’s party. Gates and Poole are left trapped aboard an ignited Charlotte, filled gunpowder, and escape with their lives by cleverly locating a smuggler’s room beneath the ship.
In order to prevent Ian from stealing the Declaration of Independence and harming it, Benjamin Gates contacts the FBI, Homeland of Security, and eventually a woman by the name of Dr. Abigail Chase, who works for the National Archives, and finding failure in all situations (but not without “romantically” leaving Miss Chase a surprise gift: the last coin to her collection of historical artifacts… coated in a special residue that will make her fingerprints easy to copy from… say, a glass cup to a glove) he at last comes up with a final, desperate plan: to steal the Declaration of Independence.
With the aid of Riley Poole’s expert hacking abilities and the forging of a custodian’s ID, Benjamin Gates manages to enter the building where the Declaration of Independence is being held, taking advantage of a gala taking place that night. Bypassing security, and with the helpful hand of Dr. Abigail Chase’s fingerprints, Gates manages to secure the Declaration of Independence, but not before a firefight between Ian and his men – good thing the DOI’s (No, not DUI, my personal acronym for the Declaration of Independence) casing is bulletproof.
After a run-in with the FBI, a hostage situation with Ian, clever intellectual trickery, car chases, and all that you’d expect out of a action-packed adventure movie, Gates Jr. (Ben Gates), his new girlfriend Abigail Chase (how’d that happen!), Riley Poole, and Gates Sr. locate the treasure of the Knight’s Templar, give the location of Ian’s gang (who they’ve directed to a false clue elsewhere) to the FBI (along with connections with the chief that are briefly used in the sequel), take a humble 10% of the profits, and get of scot-free, living happily ever after! Till’ the sequel… when they kidnap the POTUS (President of the United States).
In the sequel, National Treasure II: Book of Secrets, Benjamin Gates finds his family name challenged by Mitch Wilkinson, a covert black market dealer who wishes to defile the Gates family name in order to motivate Ben to find the treasure hidden with Mount Rushmore (Ed. Comment: it was all a cover-up! The conspirators were right!). However, in order to find the treasure, Ben Gates must first kidnap the President of the United States (which he does by convincing the President of a secret area beneath the White House, and simply asking him a few questions, though not before showing him the exit with all due politeness and chivalry) so that he may locate the elusive presidential “Book of Secrets.” One clue after another, the treasure is located, Mitch Wilkinson, who took to kidnapping and other Ian-like tactics, was left behind in a last and first observed noble attempt to save the others by holding open a door which was the only way out in the flooded cavern within Rushmore. The treasure, which is a city of gold (built in the design of pyramids), is recovered and accredited to Ben & the Gates family, Abigail, Riley, and, as was his dying wish, Mitch Wilkinson.
Both movies are great for the whole family! Breath-taking, heart-race invoking, suspenseful – it’s certainly worth the while, and up there with some of my favorite films. The movie is suitable for kids around 11-12+ years, considering there is a deal of violence.
If you liked this movie, be sure to check out…
In order of relevance, recommendation, and other factors…
National Treasure III (Christmas 2011)
Adventure Writer Favorite: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader [In Theaters]
Tron: Legacy [In Theaters]
How to Train Your Dragon II [Summer 2013]
Disney’s A Christmas Carol [Available on DVD]
Despicable Me [Available on DVD]
Kung Fu Panda 2: The Kaboom of Doom [May 27, 2011]
Kung-Fu Panda [Available on DVD]
How to Train Your Dragon [Available on DVD]
Iron Man II [Available on DVD]
Iron Man III [May 3rd, 2013]
Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World [August 19, 2011]
Captain America: The First Avenger [July 22nd, 2011]
Green Lantern [June 17th 2011]
Sherlock Holmes II [December 16th, 2011]
Ice Age: Continental Drift [July 13th, 2012]
Gates Family Mystery (Book Series – which I have not read)
Favorite Quote:
Benjamin Gates: A toast? Yeah. To high treason. That’s what these men were committing when they signed the Declaration. Had we lost the war, they would have been hanged, beheaded, drawn and quartered, and-Oh! Oh, my personal favorite-and had their entrails cut out and burned! [brief pause] So… Here’s to the men who did what was considered wrong, in order to do what they knew was right… [nodding] what they knew was right. (Wiktionary)
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
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The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is the third installment of the TCON (The Chronicles of Narnia) movies released by Disney, Walden Media, & 20th Century Fox. The first movie, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was a hit, making way for it’s sequel, Prince Caspian, which received a fair amount of positive and critical feedback from it’s fans. The latest film, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, seemed to promise much when I first came across the previews – a surge of excitement at finally being able to see the magic brought to life in another blockbuster film. However, was it successful?
Overview & Speculation:
Unlike my opinion with Prince Caspian, I believe The Dawn Treader is well accomplished. Although some areas of the movie differ from the book, I could recall a plethora of scenes that I remembered were in the book (when I read it sometime around 2004). The end even serves to make way for the next two books in the storyline, The Silver Chair and The Final Battle. Though the Final Battle will most likely be the only option, as it appears the Dawn Treader film has already taken many scenes from The Silver Chair.
The movie is filled with amazing effects, beautifully accomplished animation, all-around design, and a fitting cast. It returns with the same feel that was brought about by The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, taking the audience back into the magic, wonder, adventure, and inspired genius that is the world of Narnia.
As for the basic storyline:
It has been a year since the events of Prince Caspian, and Edmond and Lucy find themselves in a terrible situation – as the war persists, they must live with their Aunt and Uncle… along with their cousin, Eustace Scrubb, who takes an immediate disliking to the Pevensie children and their Narnia non-sense, and finds no trouble, in his odious manner, in expressing his aversion. As in most stories as this, the boy is bound to become a believer. But how, one may ask? Why, being sucked into a painting! The room fills with the water, once a mere beauty to admire in the painting, now a torrent which violently tosses them back into a sudden reunion with Narnia, and onto one of their greatest adventures yet. Evil has shrouded the land of Narnia once again and Prince Caspian, accompanied by his royal castaways (Edmund and Lucy), must gather the Seven Swords of the Seven Lords (that’s a mouthful…) and set them on Aslan’s Table, which will vanquish the darkness if they succeed.
Many characters reappear from the previous movies, including one of my personal favorites: Reepicheep (beside my top favorite Aslan.)
It’s a terrific movie fit for the whole family – although there are some elements which may be unsuitable to younger audiences [Rated PG].
Religious Elements:
The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader is rich in Christian elements and theology.
“I am,” said Aslan. “But there [in your world] I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there.”
The name He speaks of is evident and beyond misconception, though some people may bring up controversy to attempt to establish otherwise. In the world of the Pevensie’s, and our world as well, His name is Jesus Christ – Savior of Humanity – The Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
If you liked this movie, be sure to check out…
In order of relevance, recomendation, and other factors…
Tron: Legacy [December 17, 2010]
Disney’s A Christmas Carol [Available on DVD]
Despicable Me [Available on DVD]
Kung Fu Panda 2: The Kaboom of Doom [May 27, 2011]
Kung-Fu Panda [Available on DVD]
How to Train Your Dragon [Available on DVD]
Iron Man II [Available on DVD]
Iron Man III [May 3rd, 2013]
Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World [August 19, 2011]
X-Men: First Class [June 3rd, 2011]
Captain America: The First Avenger [July 22nd, 2011]
Transformers III: The Dark of the Moon [July 1st, 2011]
Green Lantern [June 17th 2011]
Sherlock Holmes II (December 16th, 2011]
Ice Age: Continental Drift [July 13th, 2012]
From Wikipedia: Movie Release Dates.
Iron Man II
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One of the most action-packed movies of the season, Iron Man 2 is one of those Blockbuster movies that come in short quantities. Starring Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, & Mickey Rourke.
Join Tony Stark on his latest escapade – after admitting to the public his identity of Iron Man and changing the focus of his company from war to peace (allowing Hammer Industries to rise up as the main weapons developer in Iron Man 2), Stark’s life has changed … little more than what we’d seen before. Stark is still the self-absorbed womanizer that everyone knows him by, and still claims the world stage [and world peace]. Yet dark days are soon to come – Stark’s palladium cores have gone from the life-saving power source we knew them as in the first movie, to a slowly developing poison which would eventually prove fatal – making an antidote of the highest priority. But that’s not all! With new exposure to the public eye, Stark has also brought the attention of a new adversary, Ivan Vanko, who comes to be known as the son of the alleged creator of the palladium core. With time running out, and the mass-production of Iron Man suits [in the hands of his enemy] becoming a horror-filled reality, Tony Stark must find a quick solution to a complex problem.
Cover via Amazon
If you liked this movie, be sure to check out [in order of release]:
The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader [Dec. 10th, 2010]
Thor [May 6th, 2011]
Transformers III: The Dark of the Moon [July 1st, 2011]
Sherlock Holmes II [December 16th, 2011]
Iron Man Anime (G4) [2011]
The Avengers [May 4th, 2012]
Batman Begins Threequel [July 20th, 2012]
Iron Man III [May 3, 2013]
From Wikipedia: Movie Release Dates.
