by Gaynell Parker

Created on: June 14, 2009   Last Updated: June 15, 2009

I have always thought museums were boring places. This movie brought them to life and opened a whole new world. We had never seen a Ben Stiller movie before, so we weren't sure what to expect, but it was enthralling from beginning to end.

The supporting cast was excellent, though I'm sure some would say that Robin Williams pretty much stole the show, along with the monkey let alone uncredited Owen Wilson with Steve Coogan and their ongoing battle for supremacy. Mizou Peck was lovely as Sacajawea, Robin William's heart throb, and very convincing with her enclosure of the glass case.

In some ways, it's a film about growing up. While Larry (Ben Stiller) was already a grown man, he was still a boy some ways inside. He wasn't responsible, he wasn't dependable and he was definitely not a role model for his son from a failed marriage. Disturbed by his son's lack of enthusiasm for his lifestyle and continued loss of jobs, he finally accepts a job as a night time security guard for the museum of natural history.

What he discovers there changes his life. The Egyptian exhibit has a plaque that was brought with it from the original discovery. This gold plaque brings the museum to life every night from sunset to sunrise, and that includes the animals. The current guards are being forced into retirement, and aren't happy with the situation, setting Larry up for taking the fall of museum theft to make their retirement a wealthy one.

When he discovers their plan, he decides to change his attitude and save the museum. His son helps in the endeavor since he'd brought him along to show him how the place came to life that same night only to discover that they were going to loose it all.

There is a scene where he finally comes to terms with Attila the Hun, and uses psycho talk to overcome his anger...it's pretty funny. The Easter Island talking head was great too...calling him 'Dumb-Dumb' all the time.

There are some great scenes with the cavemen running loose in the snow, the animals trampling through a city park, and Owen and Steve finally over coming their differences and becoming fast friends and allies. Probably the best part is when Dick Van Dyke has taken off with a historic carriage from the Pony Express. He doesn't think Larry knows anything about history and how to stop the horses, but is rudely surprised when Larry shouts out the code words and Dick Van Dyke is thrown from the carriage into the snow.

Larry finally grows up and takes his job seriously. He also discovers that history is not dry and boring, but full of adventure and exciting. It's definitely a movie worth watching and a great enticement for looking into history for young kids. Good stuff.

Learn more about this author, Gaynell Parker.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.