The computer-generated action in the museum is predictably flawless but cleverly executed to make events far wittier and more exciting than they have any right to be.
Night at the Museum (2006)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:126
Fresh:56
Rotten:70
Average Rating:5.3/10
Consensus: Parents might call this either a spectacle-filled adventure or a shallow and vapid CG-fest, depending on whether they choose to embrace this on the same level as their kids.
Runtime: 1 hr 48 mins
Genre: Comedies
US Box Office: $250,781,332
Synopsis: Ben Stiller plays Larry Daley, a down-on-his-luck divorced father in this family-friendly tale directed by Shawn Levy (JUST MARRIED, CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN). Larry has lots of ideas and dreams, but... Ben Stiller plays Larry Daley, a down-on-his-luck divorced father in this family-friendly tale directed by Shawn Levy (JUST MARRIED, CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN). Larry has lots of ideas and dreams, but none of them come to fruition. In an attempt to prove his stability to his ex-wife (Kim Raver) and his son, Nicky (Jake Cherry), Larry accepts a job as a night guard at the Museum of Natural History. But the elderly night guards who hire him (played by entertainment legends Mickey Rooney, Dick Van Dyke, and Bill Cobbs) fail to mention one crucial detail: when the museum is closed, everything inside comes to life. From Attila the Hun to miniature Roman soldiers, African mammals to Neanderthal men, and Egyptian mummies to dinosaur skeletons, the museum teems with lively activity. Now it's Larry's job to control the mayhem and show his son that he is, indeed, a great man after all. There might be a moral to this story, which is based on the book of the same name by Milan Trenc, but the screenplay and action remain light and breezy. Stiller is perfect as Larry, particularly in scenes with a sneaky monkey who repeatedly gets the better of him. Brief appearances by Anne Meara (Stiller's real-life mother) and Paul Rudd add to the fun. Carla Gugino plays a museum docent, Ricky Gervais portrays the incomprehensible museum director, and Robin Williams moonlights as a wax figure of Teddy Roosevelt that comes to life. Owen Wilson and Steve Coogan are particularly amusing as a bickering miniature cowboy and a Roman soldier. [More]
Starring: Owen Wilson, Ricky Gervais, Mickey Rooney, Ben Stiller
Starring: Owen Wilson, Ricky Gervais, Mickey Rooney, Ben Stiller, Carla Gugino, Dick Van Dyke, Bill Cobbs, Jake Cherry, Steve Coogan, Robin Williams
Director: Shawn Levy
Director: Shawn Levy
Producer: Chris Columbus, Michael Barnathan
Screenwriter: Robert Ben Garant, Thomas Lennon
Composer: Alan Silvestri
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Reviews for Night at the Museum
A clever and innovative concept inspired from an illustrated children's book that integrates historic figures and creatures, Night at the Museum could have been a riot, but is reduced to little more than a good idea.
This is a good example of Hollywood commercial calculation that actually pays off with a few entertainment dividends. It all seems very cold and calculated, and yet the film still turns out to be decently entertaining.
. Its narrative is just pitched toward adolescent fantasy and silly, frequently obvious shenanigans to a hearty degree, and with no sort of consistent inner logic the movie tilts toward fleeting entertainment, with no inherent replay value or strongly fel
Not everything on display is sufficiently alive in this museum-set comedy adventure.
it's one of those high concept childhood fantasy films that will stay in your heart long after watching it
What promises to be a fun Spielbergian romp for the whole family is a bit on the bland and mediocre side.
It's a better than average CGI-fest, more often silly than funny. But it makes some good points about courage, self-respect, and the importance of learning about history.
With this cast, there should be more laughs, and that blame falls partially on the script, but equally on how awfully Levy paces the film.
Just like 'Sack-a ja-we-a', let us guide you to a little treasure at the museum.
You know what? There are few better antidotes to intense Oscar-wanna-be releases and treacly holiday throwaways than a fun, high-concept starring 3-4 generations of comedians. Yeah, I said it.
'Night at the Museum' has a setup that's so juicy, it's easy to forgive the film when it falls short of its potential.
Latest News for Night at the Museum
November 14, 2008:
Ricky Gervais - RT's Dinner and the Movies Interview - Chapter 5
We continue our series of extended interviews by spending an hour in the company of Britain's funniest man. With a new chapter every day this week, today Gervais finds a job for... More...
November 13, 2008:
Ricky Gervais - RT's Dinner and the Movies Interview - Chapter 4
We continue our series of extended interviews by spending an hour in the company of Britain's funniest man. With a new chapter every day this week, today Gervais discusses the... More...
November 12, 2008:
Ricky Gervais - RT's Dinner and the Movies Interview - Chapter 3
We continue our series of extended interviews by spending an hour in the company of Britain's funniest man. With a new chapter every day this week, today Gervais discusses a... More...
November 11, 2008:
Ricky Gervais - RT's Dinner and the Movies Interview - Chapter 2
We continue our series of extended interviews by spending an hour in the company of Britain's funniest man. With a new chapter every day this week, today Gervais discusses his... More...
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