National Treasure: Book of Secrets

The two sides of Nicolas Cage


Was anyone wondering which Nicolas Cage would show up when "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" opened this past Friday?

The answer's easy: It was the Jerry Bruckheimerized box-office machine that 21st-century audiences now expect.

Once upon a time - like, back before he won the 1995 Best Actor Oscar for "Leaving Las Vegas" - Cage was something else entirely: an actor known for his raw daring, rather than his willingness to blend into special effects and action scenes. He refused to trade on the fact that he was Francis Coppola's nephew (changing his name from Coppola to Cage; the comic-book fan reportedly chose it in honor of Marvel Comics superhero Luke "Power Man" Cage), then dove into emotionally adventurous roles that made him an always-surprising presence.

But almost as soon as he put that Academy Award on his mantel, it seemed Cage's Faustian IOU came due. He traded in the guts for the glory, transforming himself from artist to action figure, often for Bruckheimer.

Oh sure, there's been the rare excursion back to the old Cage (a tricky dual performance as twin brothers in "Adaptation"; a twitchy con man in "Matchstick Men"). But the newly muscled Cage almost always wins out. Here's a quick look at his roles pre- and post-Oscar.

"Birdy" (1984): Badly burned Vietnam vet who helps a mentally unbalanced friend.

vs. "Ghost Rider" (2007): Flame-headed, comic-book-spawned motorcyclist who sold his soul to the Devil.

"Raising Arizona" (1987): Good-natured ex-con with a cheesy mustache who's trying to give his wife a child.

vs. "Con Air" (1997): Ill-tempered ex-con with gruesome hair extensions trying to deliver a prison escape.

"Wild at Heart" (1990): Elvis-lover who croons atop a car in bizarrely violent, low-budget David Lynch flick.

vs. "Gone in 60 Seconds" (2000): Car thief who woos Angelina Jolie in big-budget action flick.