National Treasure: Edge of History (2022–2023) User Reviews

The 90's

[weiss4307 · 5/10 · 14 December 2022]

If any of you remember the 90's, Disney was great at taking established successful stories and turning their sequels into junk. Lately all this Disney plus stuff has felt like that. Other than Star Wars, most of the marvel stuff, willow, and now this. I will still watch them but very disappointed. Mandalorian bad batch, and Andor have all been relatively huge successes compared to anything else original that Disney plus is putting out. National treasure started from cheesy but entertaining films. Nicholas cage made those movies fun. How can disney think they can do this without him? He is an icon!

This is not the National Treasure you've been looking for.

[SimpsonFan101 · 5/10 · 14 December 2022]

I've been waiting 15 years to know what's on page 47. Even without the original cast, I still would have been ok with at least knowing the answer. Unless it is revealed later on, and they redeem themselves, then this isn't what we wanted. Instead, this is just another Disney Channel show minus the laugh track. Also, what has happened to the CGI on Disney+ shows lately? Just as The Santa Clauses ruined the reindeer, now Edge of History has ruined the magic of seeing the past. The only redeeming qualities so far are Harvey Keitel briefly returning as Sadusky, and the few Easter eggs referring to the movies.

No brainer but enjoyable

[falangsabai · 6/10 · 24 January 2023]

I've just binged through season 1. Frankly I am really surprised at the ratings and reviews here on IMDB. Seems like a lot of folks have an ax to grind with Disney. This was never intended as an intellectual masterpiece. It's a very simple family (primarily teenagers and younger) entertainment. I am a few decades past being a teen yet was a big fan of the National Treasure movies. This series is a pleasant resurection of an age old premise that works: a treasure hunt. I particularly liked and appreciated the homage paid to the original movies. The premise set up with agent Sandusky, the inclusion of artifacts from the films, and the integration of Riley into the story was delightful. Come on guys, TV can be just a pleasant pastime and this fills the bill. The actors are all fine, and it's always a delight to see Catherine Zeta Jones.

Feels like a CW show...but in a good way?

[mikecian · 7/10 · 28 December 2022]

This definitely feels like a CW show, but not necessarily in a bad way. It still has a lot of the charm of the original, albeit without Nic Cage, Sean Bean, or Diane Kruger lending their charisma. Some of the clues and character decisions are cheesey, but so were the ones in the original movies. The historical references are...dubious, but again so were the ones in the original movies. Some of the dialogue is over the top, but not irredeemably so. They also got several actors from the movies to lend their talents, which is nice.

Overall despite a few drawbacks it's a fun romp, and definitely more enjoyable than Peacock's "The Lost Symbol," which I felt kind of lost the charm of the movies it was based on.

Has nothing in common with the movies and no redeeming features.

[Honodi · 2/10 · 26 February 2023]

This show is so stupid (or thinks its viewers are), i don't even know where to start. Its so stereotypical - Every "Villain" couldn't spread butter on bread because of a lack of brain cells, and the "super smart" (can convert days to years months and weeks - wow, mensa here we come...) main character can do no wrong and apparently having learned latin at some point is a sign of beeing smart in someone eyes. As per usual these days when Disney allows writers to ruin their IPs that they would not have let anywhere near their scripts 20 years ago, the show does not know what it wants to be, adventure?, teen drama maybe? Comedy? .. Gotta cram everything in there and make it as cringe as humanly possible. While i think the underlying idea had some potential, the execution did not. The Show clearly struggles to even know who it is targeted at (age and interest wise)(with a 14+ Rating, it can't target the age group (12 and under) that it seems to target). The Story has more holes in it than a mile of Swiss cheese and unless you pay absolutely no attention to what's going on , you will be left shaking your head and rolling your eyes more times than i would consider healthy. The Cast is fine, but obviously can't overcome the bad writing. When your character is written with no depths and so agenda driven that the character development feels like someone with no understanding of Peoples behaviour / any kind of human interaction was in charge of that, blaming the cast for anything just feels wrong. It has None of the charm of the Movies, (my suspicion is Bruckheimer had only in name anything to do with this show and actually had 0 input) the few throwbacks to the movies feel forced and completely arbitrary. The Fx in the show would be outdated and perceived as bad in a 90s show. There was a lot of potential with the "National Treasure" IP ,but this show does not realize any of that potential, it could be just a generic teen treasure hunter show on the cw for that matter. The only reason this gets 2 stars instead of 1 is the cast.

Overall it is dissapointing and sad that it is so bad, yet not completely unexpected.

Don't listen to all the negative reviews

[meehanbd · 7/10 · 28 December 2022]

I gave this new series based on the National Treasure movies a chance. I watched all the previous movies. This is a great segue to the new movie. Don't listen to all the negative comments. It's fun to see how this will turn out. Be open minded to creativity. I don't know why people think they need to bash new stories even if they are connected to old ones. There is so much reality tv now there is very little imagination anymore. It is great to see someone taking a chance on this adventure and giving audiences something different to watch. Thanks for creating this new series. It has renewed my interest in the National Treasure series of movies.

A Lackluster Adventure Lacking in Depth

[Shakti_Laitphlang · 4/10 · 15 June 2023]

National Treasure: Edge of History, the new Disney+ series that aims to reignite the treasure-hunting fervor of its successful film predecessors, falls disappointingly short of its lofty goals. Despite the initial promise of exploring history's hidden clues in a new and intriguing way, the series fails to deliver a compelling storyline, resulting in a lackluster and unconvincing adventure.

At the heart of the show is Lisette Olivera's portrayal of Jess Valenzuela, a young DACA woman with aspirations of becoming an FBI agent. Olivera's performance shines amidst a sea of subpar acting, showcasing her intelligence, cleverness, and undeniable charm. However, her commendable efforts are marred by a lackluster supporting cast that fails to rise to the occasion.

The series kicks off with Jess stumbling upon a mysterious symbol on her necklace, setting in motion a chain of events that lead her to a letter and a photo from the enigmatic former FBI agent, Peter Sadusky, played by the ailing Catherine Zeta-Jones. Sadly, this intriguing setup quickly unravels as the narrative unfolds, revealing a series of contrived plot developments and forced character dynamics.

One of the most glaring issues plaguing National Treasure: Edge of History is its pacing. The story frequently meanders and loses its focus, seemingly stretched out merely to meet a predetermined episode count. Jess's fluctuating control over the treasure hunt feels unnatural, with repeated instances of capture and escape that fail to generate genuine thrills. These sequences come across as mere plot stalling tactics, ultimately detracting from the overall coherence of the narrative.

Additionally, the ensemble of side characters fails to make a meaningful impact, relegated to clichéd roles that mirror those of their predecessors in the original films. The friends accompanying Jess on her quest, including the obligatory tech whiz and the loyal childhood friend, feel like mere caricatures rather than fully developed individuals. Their interactions with Jess lack depth and fail to forge genuine emotional connections with the audience.

Furthermore, the treasure hunt itself lacks the grandeur and scale that made the original National Treasure films captivating. While the concept of combining the treasures of the Mayan, Aztec, and Incan civilizations holds immense potential, it is squandered by a series of underwhelming puzzles and a lack of breathtaking locations. Jess's achievements pale in comparison to the audacious feats of Nicolas Cage's Benjamin Franklin Gates, reducing the stakes and excitement of the adventure.

Despite these shortcomings, National Treasure: Edge of History does offer some redeeming qualities. Lisette Olivera's portrayal of Jess is a bright spot in an otherwise lackluster production. Her intelligence, wit, and charisma breathe life into the character, evoking the qualities one would hope for in a treasure-hunting protagonist. Unfortunately, her exceptional performance cannot compensate for the show's overall mediocrity.

In conclusion, National Treasure: Edge of History fails to live up to the legacy of its predecessors. The series suffers from a lack of a compelling storyline, forced plot developments, and a cast that struggles to deliver convincing performances. While Lisette Olivera's impressive portrayal of Jess Valenzuela offers a glimmer of hope, it is not enough to salvage the series from its shortcomings. National Treasure fans longing for the exhilarating treasure-hunting antics of Benjamin Franklin Gates will find themselves sorely disappointed by this lackluster addition to the franchise.

Rating: 4/10.

Gets better with every episode.

[freckles-61723 · 9/10 · 31 December 2022]

Decided to give this series a chance because my family loves the National Treasure movies.

The first episode does start off a little slow, a bit cheesy and the acting is mediocre. For me it improved with every episode, although still some cheesy moments. It's a great series for my teenage daughter and I to sit and enjoy together!

I don't understand why anyone would be upset that the original cast of the movies aren't all in it. The series does make ties to the movies and we do see a couple original characters.

Maybe expectations were too high for some? In the meantime I'm itching for the next episode to come out!

Big miss

[chairmark95 · 14 December 2022]

Disney once again ruins a franchise....instead of giving us a sequel to Book of Secrets,they give us a crappy show with terrible actors and crap story...who is in charge with Disney entertainment because they need to be fired...

At least they could have tried to get Nicolas Cage or any of the original cast besides Harvey Keitel.

This is definitely one show to skip and keep your fingers crossed that they'll do a sequel movie with Nicolas Cage because he needs a hit movie since most of his movies are horrible now.

Lately Disney has had a lot of misses with the quality of their movies and that's a shame.

Reminds me of the films

[yffmwdmh · 7/10 · 26 December 2022]

Haven't watched the films for about a year so this series is being watched with a fresh perspective but with a knowledge of the films. It's really good and for those who are a fan of the films, it reminds me so much of them. The music obviously is the same and some of the ways in which the camera shots are done. Producers have obviously studied the films very well. Give it a try if you want to watch something "almost" believable. The characters are likeable and the "bad guys" have similar traits to the original films. The only fault I'm finding is the mumbling fast acting, (that could be my age though), haha. Give it a try. Hopefully it won't disappoint.

This One is Hard to Find The Gold

[MarkAylwyn · 1/10 · 14 December 2022]

Where does my Disney+ subscription go?

This is low budget, with obviously cheap visual FX, low grade camera work and really bad cheesy plot devices. It's totally B grade. I think it's aimed at an adolescent demographic, so they think they can just get away without trying too hard just because it's aimed at kids.

I really wanted to give this a go but the production value is so poor and the story so cheesy that I just found myself cringing about every 5 seconds at yet another poor aesthetic. And honestly, I normally don't give up on something so quickly as I always try to find the gold in things.

Why bother to produce something like this? Is it just a filler to block out another slot and pretend like Disney+ are producing their own (quality) content?

(Also beware of reviews where the profile was created the same time that the review was created, where there are no other reviews on the profile, and the review has nothing bad or critical to say whatsoever - I realise the irony here, in reverse, except my profile is years old and I've many varied reviews)

Loved it

[ldpetty-69750 · 10/10 · 16 January 2023]

Great show. Wish there were more shows like it. Enjoyed watching with my 23 year old daughter. Great show to watch with the family....no cringe moments...fully enjoyed watching with the whole family. They find cool ways to mix in historical facts in the story line. Nice .job of introducing people from the Nicolas Cage National Treasure movie. Enough mystery to keep me guessing "who done it". Episodes not too long, so I can watch an episode or two without feeling like I lost an entire day or after watching tv. Really looking for to the next season, and hope they continue the same family friendly vibe next season.

Ratings are harsh

[m_dielingen · 6/10 · 20 December 2022]

Only two episodes and an average rating of 4 that is quite harsh. I'm a big fan of the movies and the genre. Sadly this genre hasn't been so popular the last 20 years when you compare it to the succes Indiana Jones had in the 80ties. This show targets a more younger audience with a original storyline diverting from the movies.

People comment about the bad special effects but shows like the Librarian or Warehouse 13 are much lower in special effects but still enjoyable. Let's hope the other episodes will get better/more interesting. So if you like the puzzle treasure angle, try it you might still enjoy it.

I remember the tv show 'Unnatural History' this show got canceled and was also for a younger audience but it was actually a fun show when it came to history and treasure hunting.

It's actually unwatchable

[DeadMansTrousers · 1/10 · 17 December 2022]

I'm not sure who the target audience for this show is meant to be but they took everything that was enjoyable about the movies and completely that out the window. Not only does this show lack the charm of the films but it makes absolutely no sense and it seems like it was written by children for children. The movies used history to describe the artefacts and clues in them in such a way that it was enjoyable for people of all ages but this show does the exact opposite of that. It does it in such a dumbed down and childish way that this couldn't feel any further away from what the films were. This show is terrible and if you loved the films don't watch it.

Interesting. Following an up and coming treasure hunter

[I_am_Particle_Man · 7/10 · 17 December 2022]

I've got through the first two episodes, find it interesting enough. Realize this IS NOT going to be extravagant like the movies, and slower burn as it's a series. It has no more plot devices than the movies either, so don't hang on that withering piece of fruit from other reviewers...

On to the review.

First episode is getting to know Jess and her friend Tess. Setup is on par with Laura Croft IMO, makes sense for this type of character. I think she's a little too curious, too quickly but they have to start somewhere. Love that, just like in the movies, she's taking in info, looking for clues, acting on them, stuff happens. A pleasant cameo by a certain master mason from movies is a great touch. I'm looking forward to seeing how the world building progresses, story unfolds, and treasures to be found.

Pandering to Gen Z

[shawdavihall · 3/10 · 14 December 2022]

Despite the fact that the production felt like a USA or TNT original series, I thought it still could be good. Then I realized that this was based around a young character, that has above average intellect but with zero wisdom. JustIn order to get around this problem, they just gave her a special gift that permits her to remember and see everything (akin to a photographic memory). This is allowing her to easily decode what should be reasonably difficult puzzles and problems analogous to the films. Combined this with a Gen Z companions that willfully, drop social and political commentary throughout, make this for eye rolling entertainment. I was hoping this would feel more of a problem-solving treasure adventure similar to the films and instead we get some thing that doesn't really hold weight and his meant to draw a specific crowd, but in a CW GenZ kind of way.

Not too bad so far

[shanelidsay · 7/10 · 21 December 2022]

Not sure why there is so much hate for this. But most of the reviews seem to be written after only two episodes, so are clearly just people whinging for the sake of it.

It's a bit slower than the films (for obvious reasons), and has a very tedious link to the original movies, but i did not think it was anywhere as near as bad as the reviews i have read on here.

I will be continuing on with the rest of the show, as i think it is worth watching.

But like others, I'm still hoping they make a 3rd movie with the original cast before cage gets too old to pull it off (possibly already at that stage) or at least complete the story they left us hanging on.

Another swing and a miss

[BLAlley · 3/10 · 15 December 2022]

Like Willow, the creators of National Treasure don't understand the source material nor how to represent marginalized people without making them unrelatable and unlikeable because they do everything perfectly while everyone else is an incompetent dolt.

In the movies Ben is smart but it's his education, passion for history, and his initiative that allow him to solve puzzles, not some magic gift. He's also humble enough to enlist the help of others with their own particular skills and knowledge.

The movies were also a lot of fun, with even the baddies chewing the scenery to our delight while racing around discovering clues and methodically assembling them to solve the mystery. Here we get treasure hunter dad who automatically knows where the button is and can inexplicably fight goons and escape, only to endanger his wife and child who would have certainly been caught and made to pay for his betrayal. Then we have the gross FBI agents who made my skin crawl and weren't remotely believable. Maybe they turn out to be baddies posing as agents, but in that case their bizarre behavior should have tipped off the main character who can do no wrong.

These creators need to understand you represent people by showing their value as human beings, not by using them to score cheap points with the SJW crowd.

Fun show

[dawnejensen · 10/10 · 2 January 2023]

So, I know I am the minority but that's ok. I am 56 and kid at heart, so I loved it. Yes, acting isn't great but it is a clean, fun, no sex, nudity, violence, etc. Kind of show. I'm tired of all the shows they call entertainment full of things kids (I have 3) don't need to see and adults that have become desensitized to. It has history and it's a fun show to get away from all the crap going on in this world. I enjoy it and am looking forward to the next episode.

I love history, so I like all the twist and turns. Special effects are fine and the diversity is great. I have basically to quit watching TV because of the lack of entertainment out there. It is just clean, wholesome fun. I'm not going to critique the negative because it lets me step away for 45 minutes and not think about anything else.

Haters Gonna Hate, but me I love!

[mju-17394 · 7/10 · 16 January 2023]

I am enjoying this show! The characters are not historians, they are learning as they go and I think people may be getting turned off for political reasons.

However, if you can sit and watch a show develop it is entertaining enough!

The story itself is a little far fetched but I appreciate the narrative and learning about the 3 major cultures that existed before colonial influences.

Also, Catherine Zeta-Jones is phenomenal and I look forward to seeing her more in this role!

SPOILER: I appreciate the 'Tip of the Hat' to the Ben Gates and family as well as how they progressed since the last show.

Dora the Explorer Meets Cruella De Vil

[vintagegeek · 2/10 · 18 December 2022]

Dora the Explorer Meets Cruella De Vil Hard to find anything good about this series. Another Disney "tick the box" effort. It's no wonder the Disney board brought back Michael Eisner last month. Confusing plot, kids riding razor scooters and buses to get around town. They're target audience must be kids 13-17. There is no sense of intrigue. It's a slow paced, slog, made even even worse by the characters. I don't think there's a single likeable character in the entire show. The dialogue had to be written to get on your every last nerve, which certainly isn't helped by the bland and not very good actors spouting it. And of course you have Disney ruining it by having each actor's dialogue include their respective social injustice cause. One has to feel sorry for Catherine Zeta-Jones. Although I fear she received a pile of money. They've done a huge disservice to the National Treasure franchise, which is a shame.

Fun, Entertaining, and Review-Bombed into Oblivion

[smemmott-31884 · 9/10 · 16 December 2022]

Is it the absence of Nic Cage, genuinely, that is making the negative reviews explode (as promised on Twitter)? If so, these folks should know that he himself has explicitly stated he'd do a third movie-- that is, IF the series they're review-bombing does well.

Every positive review is marked unhelpful numerous times. Again, this approach will literally ensure the very thing you're rallying for won't come.

This show is fun. It is a TV show. It is entertaining. If you want to slog through something high-brow with your time, read War and Peace. If you want to watch Nic Cage chew scenery, watch his myriad movies; the National Treasure you loved still exists. If you wanted them to make the same thing again, you ought to watch the original!

If you want to watch something fun that feels rather "swashbuckling", and brings to mind the often-cheesy and adventure-laden fare of decades past, watch those old movies. Or watch this. It's in the spirit of such films. It isn't meant to retread their footsteps.

I imagine those complaining about the acting have, in their time, enjoyed some real tripe. But tripe, if made for your myopic worldview, can feel like a boon, no? I suppose this is not for them. There are POC in it (gasp!), and characters that are geared towards younger people (the HORROR!). I am not its target audience, per se, being "too old", but I enjoy it!

Basically, if you're a curmudgeon who wants your television series to be Classic Cinema, this isn't for you... and I'd hazard a guess that not much is.

This comment will absolutely be marked as unhelpful, and that will actually be really validating, given that it would make me entirely correct and unsurpised!

Watch this and enjoy. Or rail against it until any hope of a National Treasure 3 is dashed completely. Whatever tosses your confetti!

People need to relax on the harsh reviews.

[southbound7272 · 7/10 · 24 December 2022]

I'm 3 eps in and I'm enjoying it. I mean it's not the Cage NT, nor did I expect that. It's also not Sesame Street or Dora the explora. There's some parts where you'll roll your eyes and Harvey Keitel seems to just need the pay check , but other then that, I can't wait for the next ep. It's getting better as it goes. CTJ is a fun villain, special effects are decent enough and the 20 something very good looking cast all know how to act. Hoping for some cameos from the movies in coming episodes and maybe some nice Easter eggs. Just try and last till episode 3. I'm being honest, it's pretty corny when it starts and HK seems to be reading a script and not acting it. Maybe nostalgia will keep ya in it.

Easy to see why it was canceled

[valdes-13228 · 1/10 · 19 June 2023]

You always have to suspend disbelief watching the National Treasure movies (which are still entertaining movies), but this series is off-the-charts bad. The only thing worse than the characters is the show writing. You'll get good eye exercises by the amount of eye-rolls you'll do while watching. It's not a good sign when you actively start hoping the main characters get killed just so the pain of the show ends. I watched all the episodes waiting for it to get better, but it amazingly got worse as the season progressed. Truly an impressive feat. Disney did a smart move by canceling this train wreck after one season.

I actually like this

[livawolff · 7/10 · 24 December 2022]

Here's something I don't understand. Why it gets so many bad reviews? Like come on. This is actually a quite good series. Sure it's not on the same level as Indiana jones or tomb raider. But let's face it, it's a good show!

When I went in, I did not expect a good show, but I actually got surprised! It really starting to take a exciting turn at episode 2 and 3.

I would recommend giving it a try! And guess what, maybe you might even like it. Of course it's not for everyone, but if you like the treasure hunter vibes it's actually pretty good.

Excited to see what the next episodes have to bring!