Though far from perfect, Night at the Museum was a very fun and worthwhile experience.
Packed with solid comedic actors (from star Ben Stiller to Owen Wilson to Robin Williams and Ricky Gervais), it would’ve been difficult for Night at the Museum to fall flat. The real question was, however, how would this film work in balancing the comedic aspects and the larger-than-life spectacle that the premise of the film promises– all the while making it accessible for a family audience? The answer is a resounding yes, as there is truly something here for everyone. Kids will appreciate the slapstick humor that most notably comes from Stiller’s often bizarre interaction with some of the characters in the Museum, while the older bunch will enjoy Steve Coogan and Owen Wilson in their playful banter. As an added bonus, to see Mickey Rooney, Bill Cobbs, and Dick Van Dyke acting together was a real treat. What keeps this movie from being the kind of film that is revered by audiences though is that, like the museum, the movie works best when the museum comes alive. Everything else, perhaps intentionally, appears rather plain, including the relationship between Stiller’s character and his son– something that is supposed to be central to every other aspect of the plot. So what we’re left with is a film that, once it finds is groove, is thoroughly entertaining– and fortunately there’s a lot more of that than anything else. It’s just everything else that happens to stand in the way from making Night at the Museum something that much more special.
Overall Rating: 79
