Review of Night at the Museum (2006) by Ben L — 13 Feb 2012

Sometimes the most outrageous idea for a movie plot actually works. In this case the concept of everything in a museum coming to life is that outrageous idea. Yet somehow they made it work. The story is written brilliantly and actually has a couple unexpected twists to it. For kids it not only can entertain but it might just get them interested in some history.

The story is really funny and it is Ben Stiller who plays the straight man most of the time, as the supporting cast makes the audience laugh. Robin Williams is great, Ricky Gervais is brilliant, and Mickey Rooney steals the show every time he speaks. Then they add in present day people interacting with historic people/creatures and you really have a bounty of humorous things to draw from. I would say, though, that the movie spends too much time on Larry's battle with a monkey which feels kind of stupid with all the more interesting things he could interact with in a museum.

The almost romantic angle they throw in feels extremely unnecessary, and I would be just as happy if they left Carla Gugino out completely. Not that I have a problem with her as an actress, it's just her role that felt superfluous. Otherwise I enjoy pretty much everything in this movie. It's a great one for kids and has enough going on to entertain adults as well. It's surprising to me because I didn't expect to like it as much as I do, but Night at the Museum provides what it promised in the trailers...fun!