http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/WallBangerLet me start by saying I really liked the first National Treasure movie. It took one part Mystery, one part Action Adventure and one part Patriotism and wrapped it all up with a neat little bow. Sure it wasn't an academy award winner by any stretch of the imagination but then it didn't have to be and never tried to be.
I missed Book of Secrets in the theater but got to see it in HD glory a few days ago and man it was a let down. The premise was basically the same as the first which would have been fine but then you put in the most outlandish premises and it quickly goes from 'fun popcorn flick' to 'Battlefield Earth'... Here are the three basic plot premises you have to believe
1. The new treasure is a legendary city of gold built by Mesoamericans (aka Mayans/Aztecs)....
2. The story comes from a slave from a wrecked Spanish Galleon in Florida who saved the life of an Indian (guessing Seminole) Chief who took him to see the city of gold...
3. The city of gold is in the Black Hills under Mt. Rushmore...
Take a moment and let that sink in...
Maybe the Mayans had Star Trek transporter technology or something...