The Museum Of Natural History in New York offers more than meets the eye to a few select people. Three elderly security guards named Cecil (Dick Van Dyke), Gus (Mickey Rooney), and Reginald (Bill Cobbs) know those secrets, and have kept them to themselves for a long time. However, the trio is being forced into retirement as the result of budget cuts and low attendance. In Night At The Museum, they are assigned to find a suitable replacement. They find the man they want in Larry Daley (Ben Stiller), an unemployed, divorced, and struggling inventor. Larry wants the job so he can have some stability in his relationship with his son, Nick (Jake Cherry).

When he takes the job, though, he learns what the former guards knew. All of the museum's exhibits come to life at night, thanks to one exhibit acquired years ago. Cecil gives written instructions to Larry for how to handle the situations that will arise, but those notes are destroyed by a mischievous monkey. On his first night, Larry gets some help from Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams), but he also reads about the people and civilizations that are shown at his workplace. The live displays cause problems for Larry with Dr. McFee (Ricky Gervais), the museum's curator. He creates more problems when he insists that tour guide Rebecca (Carla Gugino) leave when the museum closes. He invites Nick to come to see the secret of his new job, but real trouble ensues.

Night At The Museum is a fun movie until the night that is the climax of the movie. Larry learns how to do things like control a playful dinosaur and keep a cowboy named Jedediah (Owen Wilson) and Roman general Octavius (Steve Coogan) from going to war with each other. However, thieves plan to take away the exhibit that makes the others come to life. Harm comes to both Larry and Nick, and that provides an unwelcome change of tone. Director Shawn Levy has done some light, but entertaining, fare like Cheaper By The Dozen, but here, he can't finish what he started. Also, the screenplay adaptation by Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant (of Reno 9-1-1!) loses track of time and logic in spots. How have the museum professionals never been there after sundown? I don't buy that the guards always have the nights to themselves. The story is also very lacking in characterization. The best thing the exhibits know how to do is misbehave.

It was great to see Van Dyke, Rooney, and Cobbs turn in spirited performances. They have the energy the rest of the film tends to lack. Stiller is adequate as yet another meek person who has to learn his inner strength. The other actors get little time, and don't teach living history. History takes a back seat to action that has nothing to do with the lives of the museum figures. Night At The Museum, consequently, is a disappointing visit.

(An Epinions Lean & Mean review)

Recommended:
No

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: None of the Above
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12