Granted, the relationship betweenNational TreasureandThe Da Vinci Codehas always been more spiritual than logistical.
Still, the similarities have always been striking.
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Mind you,many of those reviewerswho criticizedNational Treasurewerent necessarily defendingThe Da Vinci Code.
Others felt it was a dangerous piece of information manipulation.
That is the most fascinating distinction between the two projects.
It was not intended to incite anything more intense than a History Channel binge.
In terms of both works legacies, that joy may be the determining difference.
By comparison,National Treasureis remarkably unpretentious.
To quote Harrison Ford, It aint that kind of movie.
The Da Vinci Codeis a supremely entertaining thriller that is easy to binge-read and enjoy.
By comparison, those simply silly pleasures ofNational Treasurefeel as joyful as ever.
Pre-insanity Jon Voight!)
mingling with up-and-coming stars.
National Treasureis not an undeniable masterpiece or a cinematic game-changer.
Yet those qualities are what make it endearing.
Just look at the 2006Da Vinci Codemovie for the clearest contrast between the projects.
