National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets (DVD)

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Video:
As with the Blu-ray, a number of scenes seem tweaked so that the colors convey a certain mood, and there's a golden-brown caste to many of the scenes. For a DVD, I have to say that I found the picture really impressive. With the advent of High Definition, I think there's been a trickle-down effect so that even DVDs are looking better because the source materials are created with Hi-Def in mind. Where you notice a difference is in scenes with harsh lighting (like the fluorescents in the bookstore) or in really dark scenes, in which case there's a little grain. On the flip side, the best scenes are the high-contrast ones in modulated or controlled light. In those, unless you run a side-by-side comparison, the average person probably couldn't tell whether it was HD or DVD. But with on-location exteriors it's back to the slight graininess again. And when I say "slight," I mean just that. I watched this thinking of the Blu-ray all along, and I ended up being awfully impressed by the picture quality. "National Treasure 2" is presented in 2.35:1 widescreen, "enhanced" for 16x9 televisions.

Audio:
The audio is an English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround that sounds very good, with a nice balance of treble and bass and good use of the rear effects speakers. I can't say that it's as dynamic as the Dolby TrueHD on the Blu-ray, but it's a solid audio soundtrack that captures lows and highs with equal apparent ease.

Extras:
My favorite bonus feature was the commentary track with Turtletaub and Voight. They manage to have a good time while also giving an awful lot of information. I particularly appreciated the way they talked about what was real and what was invented, and though I'm usually not a fan of "we shot this scene in such-and-such-a-place," when you're dealing with well-known locations it's fun hearing all the details. It's a better-than-average commentary, for sure.

Seven deleted scenes are included, playable with or without commentary. Some directors treat these in a perfunctory manner, but Turtletaub really spends time on them, offering long intros to the scenes and reiterating his philosophy that "Movies are too long." Editors are gods, in his world, and he gives credit to them in a number of places on the bonus features.

Aside from an okay outtakes/blooper reel, the other main feature is really an eight-part, hour-long "making of" feature that covers the usual bases. What makes it worth watching, though, is that the outfit that put them together really doesn't skimp on behind-the-scenes footage. There's a lot here. "Secrets of a Sequel" hits the basics, while "The Book of Secrets: On Location" takes you abroad, "Street Stunts: Creating the London Chase" shows you what it took to do the impossible, "Inside the Library of Congress" gives you a behind-the-scenes tour, and features on "Underground Action," "Cover Story: Crafting the Presidents' Book," "Evolution of a Golden City," and "Knights of the Golden Circle" talk about the blending of fact and fiction. They're all quite watchable, but I have to admit that my favorite was hearing from the head of Buckingham Palace and police security about the four police checks that every cast and crew member had to pass. "Sadly," he laughs, "not everyone made it."

Bottom Line:
Because it's so formulaic and because there are moments when logic stretches like Silly Putty, "National Treasure 2" is one of those films that's more popcorn movie than it is a classic. But when you add location filming and just enough action to stir things up, and when you throw in a lot of facts as well, it's a pretty big bag to munch on.

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