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Movies / Upcoming / Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

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

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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 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

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Reviews for Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

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81 - 100 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
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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.

Full Review Source: Detroit News | comment Comment
05/22/09
Tom Long
Tom Long
Detroit News

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.

Full Review Source: Baltimore Sun | comment Comment
05/22/09
Chris Kaltenbach
Chris Kaltenbach
Baltimore Sun

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?

Full Review Source: Movie Retriever | comment Comment
05/22/09
Brian Tallerico
Brian Tallerico
Movie Retriever

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.

Full Review Source: About.com | comment Comment
05/22/09
Rebecca Murray
Rebecca Murray
About.com

Compared with the wit and humour of any Pixar movie or Aardman feature this is shoddy stuff.

Full Review Source: Daily Express | comment Comment
05/22/09
Allan Hunter
Allan Hunter
Daily Express

humor consisting of silly slapstick, people falling down and others making goofy faces, which is what 10-year olds love more than anything else.

Full Review Source: WaffleMovies.com | comment Comment
05/22/09
Willie Waffle
Willie Waffle
WaffleMovies.com

This is a funnier and more coherent slice of kids’ entertainment.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
05/22/09
Derek Adams
Derek Adams
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Fine in the 'rather more than adequate' rather than 'really rather wonderful' sense.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
05/22/09
Richard Luck
Richard Luck
Channel 4 Film

Unlike most sequels, this “bigger, busier” strategy pays off, resulting in a romp that’s as affable as it is inventive.

Full Review Source: Times [UK] | comment Comment
05/22/09
Ed Potton
Ed Potton
Times [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

This is a throwback to those disreputable 70s comedies that found a spot for every unemployed layabout in Hollywood.

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
05/22/09
Andrew Pulver
Andrew Pulver
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Parental Content Review

Full Review Source: Screen It! | comment Comment
05/22/09
Jim Judy
Jim Judy
Screen It!

The sequel is missing what made the first film so special; magic and mystery. The first flick is far superior.

Full Review Source: BDK Reviews | comment Comment
05/22/09
Kevin McCarthy
Kevin McCarthy
BDK Reviews

Upstaging its predecessor with colorful new characters and energy the kids will love.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Spectrum | comment Comment
05/22/09
Jolene Mendez
Jolene Mendez
Entertainment Spectrum

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.

Full Review Source: Daily Telegraph | comment Comment
05/22/09
Tim Robey
Tim Robey
Daily Telegraph

Like too many sequels, more money and fewer ideas has made for a disappointing film.

Full Review Source: MovieTime, ABC Radio National | comment Comment
05/22/09
Jason Di Rosso
Jason Di Rosso
MovieTime, ABC Radio National
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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.

Full Review Source: Total Film | comment Comment
05/22/09
Total Film

Kids are well served with slapstick hi-jinks and mild peril but there are too few laugh out loud moments to keep adults entertained.

Full Review Source: Heart 106.2 | comment Comment
05/22/09
Simon Thompson
Simon Thompson
Heart 106.2

A comedy adventure that the whole family can enjoy, right down to the age of five.

Full Review Source: Daily Mail [UK] | comment Comment
05/22/09
Christopher Tookey
Christopher Tookey
Daily Mail [UK]

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.

Full Review Source: Sunday Mirror [UK] | comment Comment
05/22/09
David Edwards
David Edwards
Sunday Mirror [UK]

Night at the Museum 2 is a fistful of family fun... brimming with amusing lines, great effects and a series of smart cameo performances.

Full Review Source: Sunday Mirror [UK] | comment Comment
05/22/09
Mark Adams
Mark Adams
Sunday Mirror [UK]
 
 
81 - 100 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
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