(The 'DO NOT DISTURB' sign was not to be taken lightly)Cast: Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Steve Coogan & Robin Williams
Directed by: Shawn Levy
Screenplay by: Robert Ben Garant & Thomas Lennon
Plot:
Larry Daley (Stiller) becomes a night guard at the Museum Of Natural History, expecting it to be a breeze but soon gets more than he bargained for when the exhibits start to come to life.
Verdict:
"Everything Comes To Life!" screams the tagline for Shawn Levy's latest directional effort, Night At The Museum. Hmmm the problem with that particular statement is the fact that, everything about Night At The Museum actually fails to spring to life, from the big potential of the plot, through to the array of comedic talent on show here.
Sure, plenty of intriguing museum exhibits do indeed come to life but when they do, nothing exciting ever happens. A T-Rex skeleton for example just decides it wants to play fetch. So you know you've pretty much had it when the highlight of the film proves to be, two tiny squabbling miniatures; Centurion Octavius played by Steve Coogan and a Cowboy played by Owen Wilson. The duo manage to bring some decent laughs to proceedings. Meanwhile, cameos by Ricky Gervais and Robin Williams are dull at best and Ben Stiller just goes through the motions as leading man, learning life lessons, etc, etc.
To be fair, the CGI throughout is excellent and the appearances of, Dick Van Dyke, Bill Cobbs and Mickey Rooney as former night guards at the museum raises a smile or two. Naturally the kids will have a blast too as in the end, Night At The Museum very much is family friendly fare that is sure to make millions, no matter what anyone has to say about it. Maybe a sequel - which is bound to materialise somewhere down the line - could do more with the huge potential that is clearly here.
DD
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