Ok, so, maybe this movie doesn't really deserve a proper "review," because it's really just a misplaced summer popcorn flick. Even though I prefer Whoppers to popcorn, the movie was still a guilty pleasure for me. I saw it with most of my family with ages ranging from 10-65, and they all equally liked it. It's got a little bit of everything for the whole family, but it's not really a "family" movie in the traditional sense of the word.

If you didn't see the first one, the set-up is: Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) comes from a family of American history-buffs/treasure-hunters. Yes, they stole the Declaration of Independence, yes they are part of a family destined to protect the "national treasures" of the American Forefathers. Ok, fine. Just accept it and go along for the ride.

Now, here we are in part two: Book of Secrets. The story goes: new evidence emerges that the noble Gates family may have a great-grandfather who was part of the Lincoln assassination (yes, that Lincoln -- Abraham). The Gates' know that isn't true due to the fact that Gates Sr. (Jon Voight) heard the true story from his grandfather who happened to be at the scene of the so-called conspiracy back in the day. Naturally, they set out to clear their family name. But low and behold -- they stumble onto a treasure map (?) -- just go with it, ok? And naturally, the treasure map leads them on a serious of improbable, but actually cleverly executed, missions to jump from one clue to the next -- all the while being pursued by Mr. Ed Harris as the bad guy (Helen Mirren and Harvey Keitel actually have minor roles -- who knows how or why they got hooked up with this potential career-killer -- Jerry Bruckheimer must have some juicy stuff on them).

Anyway, they break into Buckingham Palace, the Oval Office, kidnap the President (sort-of) and discover some amazing gizmos behind Mt. Rushmore (care-of the Goonies or Temple of Doom set left-overs).

You're probably saying, "wow Josh, this movie sounds like a load of Christmas Crap." Normally I might agree, but I had a lot of fun at this movie...dare I say..."film?" The suspense was tight, the mini-snips of history they interject stir the imagination (even though every single one is completely false), and the acting is…well…let's just say they read there lines well enough.

If you like a different twist on the usual American history motif, and if you like a cheap mash-up of The da Vinci Code, Goonies, and Temple of Doom -- with a Bruckheimer car smash-up of course -- then I think you'll like one of the few unapologetically fun and non-Oscar films of the Christmas rush.

I gotta say, this movie was pretty awesome! Yes, that's my official, film-geek assessment. Ok, so I guess I should elaborate a little more:

John C. Reilly kicks ass as a stereotypical musician going through the motions of his destined-to-be legendary (yet turbulent) life. Writers Judd Apatow and Jake Kasdan (director) pull-off yet another gem in a seemingly unending stream of comedy consciousness. The jokes are over-the-top (in a good way), the sight gags are perfectly executed (no fat-suits or kicks to the crotch, thank God), and the songs are actually really good!

You all know the musician bio-pic set-up: Genius musician destined to rule the music world grows up from humble beginnings, somebody close to him dies (which no doubt racks him with guilt throughout the years), he hits the drugs, women and booze too hard, has a rise to fame, has a dark crash, recovers miraculously, only to come out realizing the true meaning of life. Whew! That's a lot to cover in one movie, but Apatow, Kasdan, and Reilly do it with ease as they take Reilly (Dewey Cox) from childhood to old-age; through decades of rock nostalgia with Elvis, to acid tripping with the Beatles -- and doing it all while he's gone "smell-blind" (you'll know what I mean when you see it).

The first Act is a good laugh every other line. The first part of Act II is just as good. Even though you know exactly where this is going, you want to go along anyway -- and that's the point -- Apatow, Kasdan, and Reilly are practically telling us -- literally in most cases -- what's happening from scene to scene, just to ensure we don't forget that this is a bio-pic spoof. It's got all the parts we wanted to laugh at in Ray or Walk the Line, but were too sentimental to fess up to. And this isn't the Scary Movie or Airplane type of spoof, it's actually got heart and some truly shocking scenes that I guarantee you won't see coming.

The second half of Act II is a liiiiiitle slow since the gags start to feel a bit worn and repetitious, but it picks up again to wrap things up real nice like in Act III. And make sure you listen to the song over the credits. You might just get a little choked up -- If you aren't still laughing that is.