First time I saw it, I was stoked by the way Charlton Heston rigged the shiny medallions to reflect the torch light to the treasure. Spielberg's version was too "effecty". The ray of light didn't need to spread out like a friggin sun flare like that.
Also, I fell in lust with Yma Sumac.
It's weird you don't hear it mentioned much as a source of inspiration. Kind of like how everyone know Gunga Din helped inspire Temple of Doom.
shareYeah, one of the "National Treasure" movies totally ripped off the ending, but then inspiring a "National Treasure" movie is nothing to boast about.
The movie is free on youtube, BTW, but I can't recommend it as a whole. Not a lot of adventure, and the protagonist (Heston) is a dick. What I liked most about it was the location (Andes including Machu Pichu), and Yma Sumac. I mean, the amazing Yma Sumac puts on a show at Machu Pichu! How many movies can say that!
The first National Treasure movie is fantastic!
shareNo it isn't. It's kind of fun at best.
shareI think the first one is great fun. The second not so much.
I think the first film is a very good B-tier adventure film. A-tier would be Indy I-III and the first Mummy (1999). I'd put National Treasure right below those (and way above Indy IV and the Mummy sequels).
I'm glad we had this conversation because it made me aware that I don't own National Treasure on Blu-Ray. I rectified that.