I didn't think much of the first National Treasure when it hit the screens a few years back (my review called it "equal parts forced banter, moronic plot device, omnipresent exposition and oh-so-familiar chase"), but I'm man enough to admit that the flick has managed to grow on me a bit after subsequent viewings. I still wouldn't come close to calling National Treasure an overlooked gem or anything like that, but perhaps I was expecting a bit too much from the movie the first time around.

So I told you all that so I could tell you this: National Treasure 2 (oh, sorry, National Treasure: Book of Secrets) won't be getting the same reprieve, simply because I'll never watch it again. Some movies deserve a second look ... and some sequels are just unquestionably witless. But hey, if you're one of those movie-watchers who loves to get the same old schpiel, recycled repeatedly, simply because people prefer things that are familiar over things that are different, then I suppose you'll wring two diverting hours out of this cookie-cutter retread. But even if you like the flick more than I did, I guarantee you'll have forgotten all about the experience in less than 24 hours. Movies like this make you wonder if sequels are more punishment than reward. (Obviously they're neither: They're commerce.)

For those who missed the first flick, here's the general gist on both: Nicolas Cage is a nerdly-yet-slick treasure hunter / historian, and apparently his job is to discover maps and clues that have somehow remained hidden from hundreds of previous treasure hunter / historians. In both movies, Ben Gates (Cage) has a powerfully annoying sidekick (Justin Bartha) who serves two purposes: Grade school-level quips of alleged comic relief, and the ability to do literally ANYTHING with electronics. He also has a blonde love interest (Diane Kruger, and the duo exhibit about as much chemistry as gym class), a dad (Jon Voight) who repeats every single plot point (for the extra-stupid viewers), and a pair of screenplays that are just a bit more believable than, say, Independence Day.

I have to be honest with you; there probably is about a zero chance that I will be watching National Secrets: Book of Secrets when it hits theaters on December 21st. Frankly, I was pretty surprised that the first film had enough of a following to even warrant a sequel. But, far be it for me to spoil anyone else's fun; so I present to you Disney's brand new website for the adventure flick. In the spirit of mystery, I won't ruin the surprise, but, basically it's exactly what you would expect. There are plenty of; downloads, trailers, photos, games, and of course, the promise of more to come. Back in May, there had been a teaser poster and just last August, we finally got our trailer. So I can only assume that the web site is the last piece in Disney's marketing puzzle.

NT 2: Book of Secrets, brought back director Jon Turteltaub, and members from the original cast have also returned. Joining Nicholas Cage will be Diane Kruger and John Voight. Cage has been attached to a variety of roles this year – everything from Al Capone to Magnum P.I. and Liberace, although to be fair most of those projects have fallen by the wayside -- it makes you wonder what it was precisely about a National Treasure sequel inspired Cage to stick around. For NT2, Cage's treasure hunter, Benjamin Franklin Gates is uncovering the truth behind the Lincoln assassination through the diary of his killer, John Wilkes Booth. Basically, it's another conspiracy flick that's trying to make US landmarks and history just a little sexier -- which as any high school teacher can tell you, is no easy task.

The whole treasure-huntin' gang is back in National Treasure: Book of Secrets, and that means not only director Jon Turteltaub and producer Jerry Bruckheimer but stars Nicolas Cage, Jon Voight, Justin Bartha, Harvey Keitel and Diane Kruger too. (Plus they added Helen Mirren, Ed Harris and Bruce Greenwood to the mix, which certainly won't hurt.) Also still on board are the husband & wife screenwriting team of "The Wibberleys" (oh how cute, that's how they're credited in the trailer). But since "The Wibberleys" filmography consists of titles like The Shaggy Dog, Bad Boys 2 and Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, I'll just focus on the fact that these guys also got a 'story by' credit.

This time around the plot details with the search of infamous assassin John Wilkes Booth's missing diary pages, and it'll bring our secret-crackers from London to D.C. to Mount Rushmore in an effort to decipher some ancient historical silliness. Could be a fun enough flick come December. I was right there with the teaser trailer until Bartha opened his mouth and delivered a joke so lame it reminded me who wrote this movie. NT2 hits theaters on December 21, a week after I Am Legend and a week before Alien vs. Predator 2. (And you thought December was Oscar-bait season!)

The National Treasure junkies among us (and you know who you are) have probably already heard the rumors on this, but apparently it wasn't official until just this week. According to the Buena Vista's 2007 Preview at Coming Soon, the sequel to the 2004 Nic Cage vehicle National Treasure has decided on an official title: National Treasure: Book of Secrets. We're told this title refers to 18 pages of material missing from the library of John Wilkes Booth, and will somehow involve President Abraham Lincoln. Returning along with star Cage will be director Turteltaub. Bruckheimer is expected to sign on again as producer.

Given the expectations for Spielberg and Lucas to finally return to the Indiana Jones franchise, we could be running towards a potentially embarrassing showdown. Treasure certainly isn't seen as a blow-away epic, but it is generally enjoyable. Sure, a new Indy flick could put it to shame, but what're the odds of the reverse happening? We've seen just what Lucas does when returning to old franchises -- isn't it fair to at least suggest an aging Indy could possibly be out box-officed by Nic Cage? Then again, look how much money Phantom Menace pulled in ...