Battle of the Smithsonian is packed with odd characters, eccentric arguments and ornate special effects, and while it's never transcendently funny enough to be seriously impressive, it is chock full of family-friendly giggles.
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:157
Fresh:69
Rotten:88
Average Rating:5.2/10
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 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
Reviews for Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
The sense of wonder the movie engenders is palpable, and anything that makes museums look cool (which this movie does, in spades) deserves a vote of thanks from civilization as a whole.
Imagine a hyper child running through the entire Smithsonian as fast as possible, screaming and waving his arms the entire way. He would probably be entertained, but would anyone around him?
Kids should still get a kick out of this Museum, but adults may have a harder time finding something worth laughing at this time around.
Compared with the wit and humour of any Pixar movie or Aardman feature this is shoddy stuff.
humor consisting of silly slapstick, people falling down and others making goofy faces, which is what 10-year olds love more than anything else.
Fine in the 'rather more than adequate' rather than 'really rather wonderful' sense.
Unlike most sequels, this “bigger, busier” strategy pays off, resulting in a romp that’s as affable as it is inventive.
This is a throwback to those disreputable 70s comedies that found a spot for every unemployed layabout in Hollywood.
The sequel is missing what made the first film so special; magic and mystery. The first flick is far superior.
Upstaging its predecessor with colorful new characters and energy the kids will love.
I can only recommend Ben Stiller’s comedy sequel in the way I might a burnt sausage when there’s nothing else to eat: it’s not terribly appetising, but it’ll have to do.
Like too many sequels, more money and fewer ideas has made for a disappointing film.
This rushed Smithsonian visit skims over laughs and excitement to cram in more museum paraphernalia and messages. Like the original but bigger and faster, it’s harmless but throwaway.
Kids are well served with slapstick hi-jinks and mild peril but there are too few laugh out loud moments to keep adults entertained.
A comedy adventure that the whole family can enjoy, right down to the age of five.
It's not quite as good as the unfairly maligned first instalment but, for parents, this is a foolproof way of filling a slot over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Night at the Museum 2 is a fistful of family fun... brimming with amusing lines, great effects and a series of smart cameo performances.
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...
More Movies
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
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

Hollywood.com ponders whether or not an animated film could win Best Picture.

The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox

Tim Burton's costume designer talks to Movieline about her long collaboration with the filmmaker and Johnny Depp.

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

20 double passes to win to the new animated film, produced by Tim Burton.

Free double passes to join Spike Jonze's wild rumpus.



Top Critic

