Everything that involves Knights Templar, Illuminati, freemasons in combination with ancient history has my undivided attention; I consider myself to be quite knowledgeable on these subjects and therefore this movie was of particular interest to me. Nicolas Cage plays Ben Gates who is a historian and treasure seeker, in search of the ultimate treasure of mankind: the one of the Knights Templar. This treasure consists of ancient artefacts and art pieces of immeasurable value. Just this premise had me almost salivating in anticipation but eventually left me with an ambiguous feeling.

A lot of the angles are there: stories about the Knights Templar, King Solomon’s Temple, secret societies and freemasons keeping ancient secrets throughout history. These stories are of particular interest as they represent an alternative current in history. The secret organisations are believed to be keepers of forgotten and forbidden knowledge, past on from generation to generation. Proof of their existence can be found everywhere, but is often denied by contemporary historians or filed under the chapter ‘legends and myths’. Although it provides for vast scientific and historic study, it also proves to be a rich source for mystery. Exactly that was used to fuel this movie. Funnily enough, the majority of the viewers will think that the plot consists completely of make-believe and fantasy and are therefore deprived of some interesting an truthful insights.

The idea for this movie is not new as Harrison Ford successfully showed in the Indiana Jones series; historical treasure hunting appeals to the inquisitive child in us. However, the level of the Indiana Jones movies is not reached here; it neither has the roller coaster pace nor the cinematographic splendour what made these movies into real events. It is certain that the pace is the big spoiler in this movie: too many scenes drag on for too long – especially in the middle of the movie – and could’ve done with less explanation every time. However, the slow pace could’ve been used to embellish the story, since the legendary treasure of the Knight Templar provides for some fantastic stories.

Luckily enough, Cage didn’t go for his patented overacting (mind you, I like Nicolas Cage, but he is also a notorious over-actor) and played somewhat subdued. Then again I wondered why Cage was cast for what appears to be a straightforward movie that doesn’t really rely on the acting. With heavyweights like Harvey Keitel, Sean Bean and John Voight this movie could’ve been much more than this. I missed the suspense and conspiracies that go with this particular subject and think it may have something to do with the fact that it is a Disney film. Nevertheless, it’s good fun and I even saw a little door open to a sequel which is not a bad idea but then they would have to raise the level. Harrison Ford is announced to star in a fourth Indiana Jones movie, which – if made – will certainly be his last, so we could do with a successor for Indy.