by Missy Thompson

STAFF WRITER

Treasure hunts are fun for kids who use their vivid imaginations to find various objects caked in dirt, believing they are wonderful treasures. This worked in "The Goonies" but doesn't work in the new film "Fool's Gold."

Instead of a bunch of kids searching for a centuries-old treasure, "Fool's Gold" is about an estranged couple -- and a few stragglers -- looking for one of the best-kept-secret hiding places in history. If the story isn't absurd enough, the horrific acting from Matthew McConaughey makes "Fool's Gold" almost unwatchable.

I wouldn't categorize this film as a chick flick, but probably a boarder-line romantic comedy that tries to be adventurous. It uses silly slapstick humor and what I like to call "duh" moments to get audiences to laugh. Even Donald Sutherland, who plays millionaire Nigel Honeycutt, and the usually charming Kate Hudson couldn't save "Fool's Gold."

The film throws together a hodgepodge of characters who are all searching for buried treasure in the Bahamas. This makes the plot even more confusing as it is difficult to follow which characters are trying to kill other ones. Speaking of which, there is an awful lot of violence in "Fool's Gold," which was quite surprising, and not in a good way.

In "Fool's Gold," treasure-hunter Finn (McConaughey), isn't a very intelligent man when it comes to common sense, but he certainly knows his history of buried treasure. He owes many people money and is about to be divorced from his wife Tess (Hudson). After the divorce is finalized, Finn confesses that he found a clue to part of the mysterious history of a legendary 18th century queen's dowry of 40 treasure chests lost at sea.

When Finn finds his way on to the yacht Tess works on for Nigel Honeycutt -- via his spoiled, bratty daughter Gemma Honeycutt (Alexis Dziena) -- Tess knows they will end up searching for the dowry. Finn also reveals that he owes rapper and treasure-seeker Bigg Bunny (Kevin Hart) more than $60,000, and part of whatever they find will go to him.

Through hint and clues, provided inadvertently by Gemma, Tess and Finn get closer and closer to the treasure with the help of Nigel, Alfonz (Ewen Bremmer) and Moe (Ray Winstone), a former colleague turned rival of Finn's. But as they close in on where the treasure could be buried, Bigg Bunny and his crew of miscreants try to kill Tess and Finn while getting their hands on millions of dollars of artifacts and jewels.

Director Andy Tennant is known for picking romantic comedy projects like "Hitch" and "Sweet Home Alabama." Maybe if he would have stuck more to the chick flick aspect than trying to make "Fool's Gold" into an adventure, the film would have worked better.

There are a few moments of wit, but they are too few and far between. For the most part, it's when McConaughey is trying not to get killed that the film receives the biggest laughs -- and groans.

If you're looking for a good movie to watch for Valentine's Day, a date or just a night at the movies, steer clear of "Fool's Gold." Only the most ardent Matthew McConaughey fans won't feel like this film was a complete waste of time.

missy@tooeletranscript.com