Instead of using the cumbersome "National Treasure: Book of Secrets," the filmmakers should have just called this one "More National Treasure." Moviegoers would have a much better idea of what they're in for. And McDonalds could save on the cost of custom-lettered Happy Meal boxes.

Just as in the original movie, it turns out that America is sitting on top of a long-hidden pile of loot. (Someone like Home Depot should really be hawking tie-in shovels and digging bars with these films.) And, like before, semi-professional hoard hound Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) has a nose for clues and a plan to strike it -- well, not rich, exactly.

To an even greater extent than he did in "National Treasure," altruistic, patriotic Ben plays this game for the love of history and the thrill of the hunt. He's such a complete Boy Scout, it's a wonder that someone doesn't pin a merit badge to his chest at the end of the movie. Indiana Jones, after all, knew that fortune is just as important as glory. Ben's not even a little bit starry-eyed any more, which frankly makes him kind of boring.

There is a Book of Secrets, but the movie is not really about that. There's also a lot of blahbitty-blah at the beginning about how Ben's great-granddad either was or wasn't a co-conspirator with John Wilkes Booth in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln ... but the movie's not really about that, either.

The real prize is Cibola itself, the fabled city of gold sought by 15th- and 16th-century European explorers. No points for guessing whether it actually exists, or whether Ben can figure out where it is.

The screenplay, by Cormac and Marianne Wibberley, has a lot of fun twists, but also a lot of dead ends. Sort of like how Ben and federal archivist Abby (Diane Kruger), who became his girlfriend at the end of the first film, are now on the outs. Their spat lasts for about five minutes, and seems to have been concocted mostly for the sake of a few cheap laughs.

Justin Bartha, as Ben's all-around facilitator, Riley, still has an enjoyable rapport with Cage. Out of the host of gifted character actors in supporting roles, only Bruce Greenwood, as the President of the United States, and Helen Mirren, as Ben's acerbic mother, make much of an impression.

Harvey Keitel's FBI hardcase is barely present, Ed Harris's nominal bad guy turns out to be a whiny boob and Jon Voight saves most of his energy for one good line at the end of the movie.

The discovery of Cibola (oops -- spoiler!) brings some engaging special effects work into play. The puzzles Ben solves are fairly clever, and we pick up a smattering of interesting historical tidbits along the way.

Everything is played a little bit more for laughs this time around, which keeps the suspense at a low ebb and makes it seem jarring whenever anyone fires a gun. Whoa there, guys. Somebody might get hurt!

C+

National Treasure: Book of Secrets

Director: Jon Turteltaub

Cast: Nicolas Cage, Justin Bartha, Diane Kruger, Bruce Greenwood

Running time: 2 hrs., 11 min.

Rating: PG for some violence and action

Location: Opens Friday in theaters everywhere