National Treasure: Edge of History Story:-
The charm of Disney’s “National Treasure” franchise lies in its delicate balance between reverence and irreverence. Despite its orchestrated chaos, playful disregard for historical accuracy, and sometimes careless treatment of antiquities, both the beloved 2004 film and its 2007 sequel maintain a deep respect for history, an appreciation for legacy, and a strong focus on family bonds.
Movie Ratings
| Release Date | 14 December 2022 |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Action, Adventure |
| Episodes | 10 |
| Cast | Lisette Alexis, Lyndon Smith, Zuri Reed, Jake Austin Walker, Antonio Cipriano, Jordan Rodrigues, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Justin Bartha, Harvey Keitel |
| Director | Mira Nair |
| Writer | Cormac Wibberley, Marianne Wibberley |
| Cinematography | Tom Camarda, Abraham Martinez, Declan Quinn |
| Music | Trevor Rabin |
| Producer | Jerry Bruckheimer, Cormac Wibberley, Marianne Wibberley, Rick Muirragui, Jon Turteltaub, Jonathan Littman, KristieAnne Reed, Mira Nair |
| Production | ABC Signature |
| Certificate | 13+ |
However, despite its solid plot structures, broad appeal, and timeless themes, the “National Treasure” franchise has grown somewhat outdated. It has been fifteen years since the last installment, during which time the landscape of blockbuster cinema has shifted, as has the career trajectory of its star, Nicolas Cage, who now gravitates towards indie projects with auteurist sensibilities rather than mainstream blockbusters produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. With the odds of a traditional film trilogy becoming increasingly slim, the only way to rejuvenate the “National Treasure” franchise and prevent it from fading into obscurity was to reimagine it entirely, breaking it down to its core elements and rebuilding it anew.
This is precisely what creators Cormac and Marianne Wibberley aim to accomplish with “National Treasure: Edge of History,” a 10-part series on Disney+. The Wibberleys, who penned the scripts for both previous “Treasure” films, have undertaken the task of modernizing the franchise, notably by introducing a Latina protagonist whose perspective on North American history adds depth to the narrative themes of heritage and cultural preservation. However, despite the potential richness of this storyline, “Edge of History” struggles to fully explore it, instead choosing to prioritize the expansion of the franchise’s existing mythology. It’s a reboot that may benefit from a departure from its source material.
Lisette Olivera steps into the role of Jess Valenzuela, a history enthusiast and puzzle aficionado scraping by with odd jobs in New Orleans while grieving the recent loss of her mother. Her ultimate dream is to become a codebreaker for the FBI, but for now, her remarkable memory and puzzle-solving prowess are confined to escape rooms. However, Jess’s life takes a dramatic turn when a sentimental piece of jewelry — the last remnant of her relationship with her absentee father — thrusts her into a thrilling quest to uncover a hidden Mesoamerican treasure and unravel the mysteries surrounding her father’s obsession with treasure hunting. (Interestingly, there seems to be little concern about nepotism in this field, as success in treasure hunting appears to be largely determined by paternal lineage.)
Adjusting to Jess’s narrative proves challenging initially due to the significant stylistic and tonal shifts introduced by the Wibberleys to accommodate the series’ new young adult ensemble. Jess’s roommate Tasha (played by Zuri Reed) is an aspiring hacktivist, while Tasha’s on-again, off-again boyfriend Oren (portrayed by Antonio Cipriano) is a street-smart sneaker aficionado. Rounding out the escape room crew is Ethan (played by Jordan Rodrigues), who finds himself trapped in the friend zone due to Jess’s failure to reciprocate his romantic feelings.
And to the delight of Disney’s devoted contingent of critics, Jess and her crew are politically progressive and actively involved in social justice causes. Jess, living in the U.S. under DACA protection, finds herself in a precarious position as she balances her passion for treasure hunting with her commitment to social causes. While the dialogue crafted by the Wibberleys is sprinkled liberally with generic Gen Z slang, the characters themselves, though somewhat thinly sketched, embody the ideals and optimism of young activists. “Edge of History” is brought to viewers by ABC Signature, lending it a distinct Freeform-esque vibe akin to what “Good Trouble” might be if it involved hidden ink puzzles and grappling hooks.
There’s potential for a solid YA adventure series centered around these characters, one that explores the topical themes of its premise with greater depth and nuance. However, such a series likely wouldn’t carry the “National Treasure” brand. To earn that title, “Edge of History” repeatedly brings to the forefront legacy characters who struggle to fully integrate into the narrative. Even Harvey Keitel, reprising his role as Sadusky, sets the central mystery in motion before receding into the background. Taking Sadusky’s place is his grandson Liam (played by Jake Austin Walker), who joins Jess’s quest as part of his own journey to connect with a family member he barely understands. Adding to the mix, Justin Bartha returns as Riley Poole, whose newfound fame as a podcaster adds another layer to the story.
This is the nature of the hybrid reboot-sequel, attempting to blend new faces with familiar ones and see if they can coexist harmoniously. However, the absence of Nicolas Cage, Jon Voight, and Diane Kruger is keenly felt, and the more the original characters are featured, the more noticeable their absence becomes. The clash between the two worlds is evident throughout “Edge of History,” with each side vying for attention, resulting in an awkward amalgamation. The show struggles to reconcile its dual identity as both a reboot and a sequel.
Yet, the larger issue is that without the legacy characters, “Edge of History” would lack substance. The 45-minute episodes feel bloated, with unnecessary filler content obscuring the show’s true identity. Even during pivotal moments, such as the first full-fledged heist, the pace drags, weighed down by extraneous subplots. Liam’s musical interludes, while offering insight into his character, feel out of place and disrupt the flow of the narrative. If the series fully embraced its youthful makeover, such musical elements might find their place, but as it stands, they only serve to highlight the show’s identity crisis.
Despite its shortcomings, “Edge of History” does have its shining moments, primarily thanks to Catherine Zeta-Jones’s portrayal of Billie, a menacing antagonist determined to thwart Jess and her companions. Zeta-Jones’s performance injects a much-needed energy into the series, reminiscent of Nicolas Cage’s own over-the-top acting style. However, “Edge of History” ultimately feels like a missed opportunity, struggling to strike a balance between nostalgia and innovation.
