King of California

Impressions before seeing it
I have to admit that I'm kind of getting bored of treasure hunting movies. But this time the treasure is buried under a Costco, so I knew it wasn't going to be like National Treasure or Tomb Raider. Also I've been a fan of Evan Rachel Wood ever since Pretty Persuasion.

How was it?
I think I'm also getting a little bored of the deadbeat dad storyline, which King of California does make use of, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been here. Actually Charlie (Michael Douglas) is reminiscent of Walter from Fringe, being the father who wasn't there for his child because he was in an asylum and then has to impose on them when he gets out. But his crazy notions of treasure were entertaining and it was refreshing not to have our heroes traveling to foreign countries to plunder ancient ruins for magical loot or whatever. I've been kind of indifferent about Michael Douglas as an actor so far because I haven't seen that much of his stuff, but I have to commend him for a certain moment in the film where he sits in his car looking crazy and wild-eyed into the beam of Miranda's (Wood) flashlight. It made him look eerily like a suspect who got pulled over on Cops, and it was a perfect moment.

There isn't too much else to say about this movie. It was entertaining and likable, but not awesome. About average perhaps, but again I liked the idea of a making a more realistic version of a treasure hunting movie.

Recommendation
If it sounds interesting to you, it probably will be. Otherwise you can skip it.