Review of Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014) by Leon B — 29 May 2015

Review:

I didn't really think that this movie was that great! The jokes weren't that funny and the storyline was a bit silly. Its about a tablet that controls the magic of the museum, which is disintegrating and fading away. Stiller and his trusted museum companions have to take the tablet to a museum in London so they can find out how to stop the tablet from losing its magic. Sir Lancelot confuses the tablet for the Holy Grail and ends up taking it from Stiller and his friends who are fighting to stay alive. The storyline really isn't that great and the movie seemed to go from one unrealistic situation to the next. On the plus side, it does look real and the snake fight was put together well but the patronising humour really didn't work. It seemed more like a final farewell to Robin Williams, who wasn't his usual amusing self and it was one of the last movies starring Mickey Rooney who also sadly pasted away last year. I did like the relationship between Stiller and the little monkey, who shared a touching farewell near the end but there wasn't that many comedic scenes from Stiller. In all, the script really could have done with a rewrite but the CGI is quite impressive. Average!

Round-Up:

The first movie in this franchise, really worked because it was fresh material and the whole museum coming to life thing was original but they really didn't bring anything new to the table in this project. The director, Shawn Levy, who also made Real Steal, The Watch, The Internship and the awful Pink Panther remake, has directed over 40 movies and TV series but the Night of the Museum franchise has to be his biggest triumph to date. Its a shame that he didn't end the magical museum adventures with a bang! Anyway, Rebel Wilson from Pitch Perfect and Bridesmaids, put in her usual funny performance alongside Rick Gervais and his dry sense of humour but I did find Stillers son quite annoying. I also liked Sir Lancelot, played by Dan Stevens who starred in the Guest and Stiller played Laaa quite well but the movie seemed more concerned with the CGI than the script.

Budget: $127million.

Worldwide Gross: $360.2million.

I recommend this movie to people who are into their magical/adventure movies about Stiller trying to save the magic in a tablet which brings the museum to life. 4/10.