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Hello Cinephiles,
Today we’re talking about the 2006 movie Night at the Museum, the 2009 movie Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, and the 2014 Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
*I reviewed Battle of the Smithsonian in 2009* I didn’t re-read that review when writing this one. Ratings may vary, I’m grumpier and older.
Story
Night at the Museum 1
The concept for this story is fantastic, a wonderful idea. The story is a little uneven I really can’t stand the interludes of stupid humour.
Score: 0.5
Night at the Museum 2
The story was an entertaining modern D&D adventure. It was cute and clever but there was something unsettling about the shoehorned love plot. It was also terribly busy and seemed to ignore parts of the first movie. (If Dick Van Dyke can turn the tablet off, why can’t Stiller?)
Also the Smithsonian has the worst security in existence. Why was Ben Stiller not arrested, he should have been on a million cameras.
Score: 0.5
Night at the Museum 3
This is a movie that knew it was the last in a series, but left a lot of openings for spin-offs. (Thank goodness that didn’t happen.) The story was a slight variation on the previous ones with a London twist. Definitely the weakest of the group.
Score: 0
Characters
Night at the Museum 1
The self awareness of Teddy Roosevelt along with the stellar cast and characters makes this movie. Roles that could have been boring or cliché are brought to life with depth and heart. It’s also nice that there wasn’t a romantic subplot with the historian. I truly hate dumb characters and needless bosses which made this less fun. Ben Stiller and Ricky Gervais’s antics are frustrating at best and boring at worst.
Score: 0.5
Night at the Museum 2
Ben Stiller is still annoying but there’s less of him. I felt like leaving the room when he talked with Jonah Hill or the monkeys. There was certainly not enough time given to the characters from the first movie.
That being said, Amy Adams was spectacular as was Hank Azaria. It was also nice to see that Stiller’s character had evolved not reverted which is common for movies.
Score: 0.5
Night at the Museum 3
Ben Stiller’s humour is still not my thing and there were two of him in this. I would have taken another six of him over Rebel Wilson. Not my style of comedy. The rest of the cast, as usual, did a great job. This is Robin Williams’ last live action movie and he’s great. The new additions are funny and well done. It was nice to see the trio of nightguards again.
Score: 0.5
Dialogue
Night at the Museum 1
There are gags and moments of true depth in this movie. Everything from Robin Williams is gold and a lot of the other secondary characters dialogue is wonderful.
Score: 0.5
Night at the Museum 2
The dialogue was much more developed in this one, lots of fantastic banter between the characters.
Score: 1
Night at the Museum 3
When they weren’t making melting nose jokes or peeing monkey commentary the movie had some very funny lines and a few very deep moments.
Score: 0.5
Visuals and Music
Night at the Museum 1
The special effects are a little dated but still hold the beauty and wonder of a museum coming to life. The cinematography has a few moments of genius.
The music is epic and grandiose and used perfectly.
Score: 1
Night at the Museum 2
This movie took all the beautiful visuals from the first one and doubled down. The special effects are bigger and prettier. The hall of paintings was excellent world building. Visually this was wonderful to watch. And that fight scene at the end was fantastic.
The music didn’t disappoint and although I won’t be running out to buy the soundtrack, it was suitably epic.
Score: 1
Night at the Museum 3
The movie is beautiful and absolutely well done visually. The Esher painting scene and the snake dragon thing fight were stunningly beautiful. It was a beautiful movie that was well shot.
The music once again elevated the silliest gag to epic.
Score: 1
Fun
Night at the Museum 1
This movie is entertaining nearly throughout. Again I dislike Stiller and Gervais but the rest made up for it.
Score: 0.5
Night at the Museum 2
There’s a little cringe at the beginning and the whole Brundan thing took too long, but after that it was a fun thrill ride. I still was uncomfortable with the love story though, and that took some pleasure out of it.
Score: 0.5
Night at the Museum 3
This movie had more awkward in it and longer anoying gags. It’s the shortest of the three but felt like the longest. It also felt like it took a long time getting to any sort of plot.
Score: 0.5
Overall
Night at the Museum 1
This is a lovely movie with a good message and some exceptional actors doing their comedic best. It’s fun and despite a few really dumb moments, it’s a classic. I also have to give the film makers credit for a racially diverse group that is actually properly cast.
Finals Score: 3 Stars
Night at the Museum 2
This was a good sequel that built on the first and brought some fantastic action and visuals. Amy Adams is spectacular as is Hank Azaria. Definitely worth a watch.
Finale Score: 3.5 Stars
Okay, so I went and looked at my previous review and it’s pretty consistent.
Night at the Museum 3
It’s a fitting end to a series of movies that was okay but not great. It didn’t fully live up to its potential, but was elevated by brilliant actors.
Overall, I like the background info on the tablet but it made me wish for a TV show spinoff starring a kooky off-the-wall librarian museum curator and his 3 apprentices.
Final Score: 2.5
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