I was one of the minority who didn’t get out to see Night at the Museum in the theaters. I wish I would have. This is one movie I think I would have enjoyed a little more on the big screen.
It’s a great (if not original) premise, and a fun story. The only downside is that I think they spent slightly too much emphasis on the spectacle, and not quite enough on the heart. It’s not too far off balance, but it was noticable.
Ben Stiller was very funny in this, but there were some key scenes that I thought would have been handled better by different actors, or maybe it’s just that the director’s choices on those scenes left them looking like Stiller was trying too hard. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I want to lay the at the feet of the director. Robin Williams also didn’t come across with as much heart as I know he’s capable of mustering, and as I sit here I’m having more small examples come to mind of things that weren’t paced “correctly” (though obviously that’s just my opinion as there is no strict right/wrong in these things) or that could have been shot to greater effect. For example, the monkey slapping—that was a great idea and a great scene, but the close-ups ran a couple of slaps too long.
The best thing about the movie, looking past the effects and craziness, were the supporting players. The three guards (Dick Van Dyke, Mickey Rooney, and Bill Cobbs) and the Curator, Dr. McPhee (Ricky Gervais of the UK version of “The Office”) were fantastic—especially Van Dyke and Gervais. Gervais’ frustrated inability to verbalize his point was priceless. Van Dyke did a great job with what he was given and played off his fellow actors beautifully. It’s a shame his best moment doesn’t come until during the credits when they’re dancing (the guy is still really loose; for a second I was wondering if they used CG on him).
Despite its flaws, though, it was a fun, energetic, light, family movie. Plus it had some really cool effects. I had a good time watching it.
Three and a half stars.
[tags] Dick Van Dyke, Mickey Rooney, Bill Cobbs, Ricky Gervais, Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, fantasy, family movie[/tags]
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