by Everett Jensen

Created on: July 10, 2009   Last Updated: July 13, 2009

Night at the Museum
directed by Shawn Levy
written by Robert Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon
starring Ben Stiller, Carla Gugino, Dick Van Dyke, Mickey Rooney, Bill Cobbs, Jake Cherry, Ricky Gervais, Robin Williams, Patrick Gallagher, Owen Wilson, Pierfrancesco Favino, Rami Malek, Steve Coogan, Mizuo Peck, Paul Rudd

In this generic, predictable action-comedy the laughs are few and far between although the story is earnestly told and there are a few moments that are effectively winning.

The most thrilling aspect of this film has nothing to do with the special effects. It's watching three grizzled veterans - Dick Van Dyke, Micky Rooney and Bill Cobbs - in full on ass whooping mode for the duration of the film. They project a terror that is readily felt from the moment they step into the film and it's clear they are up to no good.

The film is the basic story of a man who has failed to live up to his son's expectations and must return to favor in his eyes. Larry Daley (Stiller) is something of a failure who conceived of dozens of inventions that haven't quite taken off. He is forced to take a job at the American Museum of Natural History as their night watchman. He's hesitant at first but accepts the job because he has no other prospects. On his first night the Tyrannosaurus Rex comes to life followed by everything else in the museum. Quickly, chaos reigns and Larry is subjected to the brutal mein of Attila the Hun (Gallagher) and his fighting men. He is also tied down by thin string by Jedadiah (Wilson) and his men although he does meet Teddy Roosevelt (Williams) and is encouraged to return to the job.

Larry learns all about the Egyptian tablet of Akmenrah (Malek) which allows the museum to come to life. Larry retires for the evening and reluctantly returns the following evening but this time after taking a few measures which prove to allow him to momentarily assume the upper hand.

One is succinctly aware of Larry's relationship with his son Nick (Cherry) and it's clear that they film is going to focus on how they interact with one another. For all its special effects and histrionics this is a family film that celebrates the bond between father and son. Nick needs to believe in his father because he has been disappointed so many times before and really cannot stand another one. Larry, for his part, wants to prove his worth to his son so he takes him along to show him the shenanigans that have been taking place at the museum. At first nothing happens and Nick groans assuming

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>