“Night At the Museum” (20th Century Fox)
History Comes Alive
Ben Stiller stars in the new comedy “Night At the Museum.” This story about a museum where the creatures and characters come to life at night features some of Hollywood’s best comedians as well as some sure fire entertaining special effects. Not everything works and the middle portion of the movie is a little slow but it all comes together for a rousing finish.
Larry Daley (Stiller) is the divorced father of Nick (Jake Cherry). His ex-wife (Kim Raver) tells him that his son needs some stability in his life so he decides to take a job as a security guard at the local museum. The old security guards (Dick Van Dyke, Mickey Rooney and Bill Cobs) are retiring but give him some words of advice before they leave. That is not to let anything in or out of the museum at night after it closes.
Larry understands what they are saying when after the museum closes the creatures and characters on display come to life. It all has something to do with a plaque in the room of the Pharaoh’s tomb.
At first Larry is amazed and horrified by what happens but he soon learns to control it and to even make friends with some of the characters, particularly President Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams). He finds a miniature cowboy named Jebediah (Owen Wilson) and a miniature Roman Tribune named Octavius (Steve Coogan) harder to befriend. They fight against each other and against him.
The special effects make up most of the fun of the movie although Wilson and Stiller both do have their moments. A romance with a docent at the museum named Rebecca (Carla Gugino) is a little forced, and a crime spree by the old security guards is a little silly.
The newness of the “coming to life” wears out a little in the middle of the movie but things pep up at end and that sends the audience out feeling good. So all’s well that ends well.
The movie is rated PG for mild violence.
Ben Stiller has a knack for making movies that totally entertain. When he combines his talents with those of Owen Wilson, Robin Williams and other funnymen then he is definitely on the right track. “Night At the Museum” is not his best movie but it is an acceptable one, and one that kids and adults can both enjoy.
I scored “Night At the Museum” a lively 6 out of 10.
