RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Found a Bug? Squash It! Report Bugs Here
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / Upcoming / Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Buy Poster External Icon
Bookmark and Share

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
44 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:158

Fresh:69

Rotten:89

Average Rating:5.1/10

Consensus: Night at the Museum: Battle at the Smithsonian is busy enough to keep the kids interested but the slapstick goes overboard and the special effects (however well executed) throw the production into mania.

Australian Rating: TBC

Runtime: 1 hr 45 mins

Genre: Comedies

Australian Theatrical Release:
May 21, 2009 Wide

US Box Office: $177,118,775

Synopsis: Shawn Levy (CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, JUST MARRIED) directs the sequel of his hit film NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM. Night guard Larry Daley (Ben Stiller), now a successful entrepreneur, returns to the Museum... Shawn Levy (CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, JUST MARRIED) directs the sequel of his hit film NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM. Night guard Larry Daley (Ben Stiller), now a successful entrepreneur, returns to the Museum of Natural History to visit his friends--the exhibits that come to life at night--only to learn that they are being shipped off into deep storage at the Smithsonian Institution. To make matters worse, the exhibits at the Smithsonian, including the pharaoh Kahmunrah (Hank Azaria), are suddenly coming to life--and they aren’t at all happy about their new visitors. Determined to save his friends, Larry rushes to Washington, D.C., and makes his way into the inner workings of the largest museum complex in the world while Kahmunrah recruits the likes of Ivan the Terrible (Christopher Guest), Napoleon (Alain Chabat), and Al Capone (Jon Bernthal). Larry, meanwhile, finds himself with spunky Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams) as a co-conspirator and love interest, and General Custer (Bill Hader) leading the battle for the Smithsonian. The stakes are higher in this sequel, where even the paintings on the Smithsonian walls come to life at night. Stiller is his capable deadpan self as the now-successful Larry who finds purpose again while helping his friends, and Adams is spot-on as feisty, adventure-seeking Earhart, complete with period lingo. Azaria is a scene-stealer as Kahmunrah, who is menacing despite his lisp. Owen Wilson, Steve Coogan, Robin Williams, and Ricky Gervais also reprise their roles in this sequel, which is the first film to be shot at the Smithsonian. [More]

Starring: Ben Stiller, Amy Adams, Owen Wilson, Hank Azaria

Starring: Ben Stiller, Amy Adams, Owen Wilson, Hank Azaria, Robin Williams, Christopher Guest, Alain Chabat, Steve Coogan, Ricky Gervais, Bill Hader, Jon Bernthal

Director: Shawn Levy

Director: Shawn Levy
Screenwriter: Robert Ben Garant, Thomas Lennon
Producer: Shawn Levy, Chris Columbus, Michael Barnathan
Composer: Alan Silvestri
Studio: 20th Century Fox

[See More Credits]

  • Trailers
  • Pictures
  • Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon
    >
    Trailer
    >
1 - 2 of 2

See More Movie Trailers & Pictures

Reviews for Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
 
 
41 - 60 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Stiller helps bring a new group of characters to life and they in turn bring this franchise to life again. Adams and Azaria shine.

Full Review Source: jackiekcooper.com | comment Comment
05/25/09
Jackie K. Cooper
Jackie K. Cooper
jackiekcooper.com

a scattergun trawl through human (albeit mostly American) history and culture, with the emphasis more on entertainment than instruction.

Full Review Source: Little White Lies | comment Comment
05/25/09
Anton Bitel
Anton Bitel
Little White Lies

If only [Ben] Stiller in real life would take a hint from his latest character and miss whatever career he had before acting and go back to it.

Full Review Source: Tri-City Herald | comment 4 Comments
05/23/09
Gary Wolcott
Gary Wolcott
Tri-City Herald

More engaging and better-paced than its predecessor, relocated to the world's largest repository of history, art and pop culture, the sequel ups the ante on all sides to deliver delightful family fun.

Full Review Source: TheDivaReview.com | comment Comment
05/23/09
Diva Velez
Diva Velez
TheDivaReview.com

Fitful and flighty, it's a frenetic diversion destined for a popular niche on the dvd shelf.

Full Review Source: SSG Syndicate | comment Comment
05/23/09
Susan Granger
Susan Granger
SSG Syndicate

The Lincoln Memorial statue is something of a travesty.

Full Review Source: Christianity Today | comment 1 Comment
05/23/09
Steven D. Greydanus
Steven D. Greydanus
Christianity Today

They fixed everything I found wrong with its predecessor, so I can only assume the filmmakers read my review and addressed my concerns point by point.

Full Review Source: Can Magazine | comment Comment
05/23/09
Fred Topel
Fred Topel
Can Magazine

No passado, quando um grupo de comediantes deste calibre se reunia em uma produção, o filme era um evento. Hoje em dia, trata-se apenas da continuação ruim de um longa apenas razoável e que terá sido esquecido em menos de seis meses.

Full Review Source: Cinema em Cena | comment Comment
05/23/09
Pablo Villaca
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena

The best, and possibly only, reason to watch Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian is the enchanting Amy Adams.

Full Review Source: What Would Toto Watch? | comment Comment
05/22/09
Christian Toto
Christian Toto
What Would Toto Watch?

Maybe not as fresh and unique as the first one, the sequel has enough laugh-out-loud moments to enjoy.

Full Review Source: The Movie Kit | comment 1 Comment
05/22/09
Kit Bowen
Kit Bowen
The Movie Kit

Talented comedians Robin Williams and Ricky Gervais are wasted in small roles. Grownups chaperoning the youngsters will be bored as the 105 minutes seem interminable.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Spectrum | comment Comment
05/22/09
Keith Cohen
Keith Cohen
Entertainment Spectrum

It seems that the actors got together for this film just to have some fun, interacting with one another in an overblown SNL sketch with plenty of special effects.

Full Review Source: 7M Pictures | comment Comment
05/22/09
Kevin Carr
Kevin Carr
7M Pictures

Maybe the movie would be more fun if the ancient Egyptian tablet could bring Ben Stiller to life.

Full Review Source: Salt Lake Tribune | comment Comment
05/22/09
Sean Means
Sean Means
Salt Lake Tribune

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, is breezier than the first Museum, at least to me, which means in three years I'll be revising my opinion downward.

Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
05/22/09
Michael Phillips
Michael Phillips
Chicago Tribune

The plot of this film feels like a garage sale jigsaw puzzle: its pieces out of order, warped and shoved into places they don't go with a few extra pieces thrown into the box.

Full Review Source: HollywoodChicago.com | comment Comment
05/22/09
Adam Fendelman
Adam Fendelman
HollywoodChicago.com

Musters only a few lackluster laughs...[but] has one trump card: it's a kid-friendly, "PG" film that celebrates museums.

Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews | comment Comment
05/22/09
Peter Canavese
Peter Canavese
Groucho Reviews

Azaria pretty much steals the show.

Full Review Source: Toronto Star | comment Comment
05/22/09
Greg Quill
Greg Quill
Toronto Star
N/R

The museum sparkles, but the movie is awfully dull.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
05/22/09
Dan Kois
Dan Kois
Washington Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Marvel at the movie's cheerful idiocy, which seems definitive -- even though the summer season has just begun -- and at the efficiency with which the filmmakers have dumbed down a dumb premise of proven success.

Full Review Source: Wall Street Journal | comment Comment
05/22/09
Joe Morgenstern
Joe Morgenstern
Wall Street Journal
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

In bringing history, literally, to life, and having as much fun with it as it is computer-graphically possible to have, director Shawn Levy and Reno 911 writers Robert Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon at least make [Museum] worth noticing.

Full Review Source: TIME Magazine | comment Comment
05/22/09
Belinda Luscombe
Belinda Luscombe
TIME Magazine
 
 
41 - 60 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
all

Latest News for Night at the Museum: Battle of the...

May 26, 2009: Tune In to the Rotten Tomatoes Show This Week!
This week, The Rotten Tomatoes Show will be looking at the movies that opened over the weekend, with help from you (the Rotten Tomatoes community), the Current TV community, and... More...

May 25, 2009: Box Office Guru Wrapup: Museum Terminates Salvation
Fox won the holiday battle of the sequels as the adventure comedy Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian debuted at number one over the long Memorial Day frame easily... More...

May 22, 2009: Review Terminator Salvation, Night at the Museum 2, and Dance Flick on TV!
Did you miss last night's episode of the Rotten Tomatoes Show on Current TV? Watch it online here for slam-bang reviews of last weekend's Angels & Demons, The Brothers Bloom,... More...

May 21, 2009: Critics Consensus: Terminator, Night Are So-So Sequels
This week at the movies, we've got deadly machines (Terminator Salvation, starring Christian Bale and Sam Worthington); historical hysterics (Night at the Museum: Battle of the... More...

See All

More Movies

Coming Soon in Australia
Tomatometer Percentage Movie Date

75% 75% Sherlock Holmes 26/12
39% 39% The Lovely Bones 26/12
100% 100% The French Kissers 26/12
84% 84% Bright Star 26/12
71% 71% Nowhere Boy 26/12
— Alvin and the Chipmunk… 26/12
10% 10% Did You Hear About the… 26/12
05% 05% Old Dogs 26/12

What’s Hot On RT

New Alice Trailer

New Alice Trailer

Tim Burton returns to the rabbit hole

20 Must-See Films

20 Must-See Films

Your essential Summer Movie Guide

James Cameron

James Cameron

We look at the Avatar director's career

Golden Globes!

Golden Globes!

See who got nominated for the awards

Other News

  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • Bryan Singer Returning to X-Men for First Class Source: Superhero Hype
94
  • Mark Strong Talks Kick-Ass, John Carter, and Robin Hood Source: Collider.com
1
  • How Avatar Happened: The Path to Innovation Source: CinemaBlend.com
19
  • Rob Marshall Says Pirates 4 Is Still a Maybe Source: ComingSoon.net
30
  • ET Teases Iron Man 2 Teaser Source: Collider.com
28
  • Tobey Maguire Refutes Hobbit Rumors Source: Hollywood Reporter
9
  • Prince of Persia Featurette Posted Source: Yahoo! Movies
4
  • Trailer Bulletin: Robin Hood Source: ComingSoon.net
61
  • Mel Gibson Plans a Mexican Vacation Source: Variety
8
  • New Iron Man 2 Clue Posted Source: Screen Rant
26
Popular
Headlines Comments
  
  • Awards Tour 2009: Golden Globe Noms Here!
144
  • Total Recall: James Cameron Movies
72
  • Box Office Guru Wrapup: Girlpower Rules Again with Princess at #1
70
  • Critics Consensus: Avatar Is Certified Fresh
60
  • Awards Tour 2009: Inglourious Basterds Lead Critics Choice Noms
44
  • Awards Tour 2009: Avatar Best Picture at NYFCO!
38
  • Weekly Ketchup: James Cameron Plans a Fantastic Voyage
34
  • Awards Tour 2009: SAG Nominations Are In!
34
  • The Effects of Where the Wild Things Are
32
  • Friday Harvest: Iron Man 2, Tron Legacy, and more!
20
Interviews
Headlines Comments
  
  • Robert Downey Jr. talks Sherlock Holmes & Iron Man 2 - RT Interview
21
  • Director Ruben Fleischer Talks Zombieland
2
  • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
17
  • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
12
  • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
23
  • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
8
  • RT on DVD: Wassup, Bruno
3
  • Scott Hicks Talks The Boys Are Back
0
  • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
15
  • Richard Kelly chats about The Box
2
 
 

Sponsored Links

Around The Network

  • Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian at Rotten Tomatoes
  • Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian at IGN

Fresh Links

Featured
40 Best Films of the 2000s
40 Best Films of the 2000s External Link

Last week, Moviefone offered us their worst films of the 2000s. Now see their 40 best!

Virtuoso Vistas of The Lovely Bones
Virtuoso Vistas of The Lovely Bones External Link

Techland examines the visual splendor of Peter Jackson's upcoming film.

Worst Hollywood Remakes of the Decade
Worst Hollywood Remakes of the Decade External Link

Movieline gets bravely swept away with the recycled refuse of the 2000s.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes on Twitter
Follow Rotten Tomatoes on Twitter External Link

Get all the latest movie updates, reviews, interviews and features here.

Competitions
Win Alvin and the Chipmunks 2 prize packs
Win Alvin and the Chipmunks 2 prize packs External Link

We're giving away a bunch of stuff from the upcoming Squeakquel.

 
 
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Celebs List| Newsletter
IGN Logo

IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive | Green Pixels


By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN RSS Feeds
IGN's enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA
Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.