Review of Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009) by Filipeneto — 21 Aug 2018

This film is the sequel to "The Night at the Museum" and it happens time after the action of this film. Larry is now a successful man but is surprised by the renovation of the Natural History Museum, where he worked and made friendship with all the creatures and historical figures who are statues during the day and come alive at night.

Thus, he will try to prevent his friends from spending the rest of their existence in crates at the Smithsonian Museum, Washington DC. Although it no longer has the novelty impact the first film had, this sequel honoured, most of the time, the previous film.

It's humor explores well the way Larry seems to be in permanent disagreement with his new way of life as a businessman, though he cannot see it. The comedy and jokes follow, roughly, the model previously established but they still can be funny enough.

The script gives great emphasis to Amelia Earhart, portrayed as fearless and adventurous, but the bad side of that is the great romantic interest between her and Larry, an involvement whose outcome, although romantic and moving, was very predictable and gives us the will to shout "what's the point?" Ben Stiller remains impeccable as the protagonist and the supporting cast makes an excellent performance, keeping some of the previous names (Robin Williams, Owen Wilson and Steve Coogan) along with the villain, Hank Azaria, maybe one of the best voice actors of our time.

So this is a rare case where sequel was able to honor the previous movie and gives us good entertainment.