Catholic Exchange

USCCB’s Review of Night at the Museum

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U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

in

Night at the Museum (Fox) is a lightweight but diverting comedy-fantasy about Larry Daley (Ben Stiller), an impractical dreamer and perennial loser who takes a job as night watchman at New York's Museum of Natural History only to learn to his amazement that the dinosaur bones, stuffed animals, mummies and diorama characters all come to life after closing time.

The statue of Theodore Roosevelt (Robin Williams), a cowboy (Owen Wilson), a Roman soldier (Steve Coogan), an Indian maiden (Mizuo Peck) and others join the pachyderms, lions and a mischievous monkey named Dexter in leading Larry on a whirlwind adventure of slapstick and mayhem. Larry must keep order, as the disapproving (and dimwitted) museum president, Dr. McPhee (Ricky Gervais), will notice if anything is amiss.

At first, Larry is overwhelmed by the sheer anarchy of the creatures' nocturnal activities, but eventually he's able to restore order and earns back the respect of his young son, Nick (Jake Cherry), as well as win the appreciation of the pretty museum docent, Rebecca (Carla Gugino), whom he befriends.

Director Shawn Levy's film — and Robert Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon's script — could be much funnier. A loony confrontation where Larry pep-talks Attila the Hun (Patrick Gallagher) about the love he apparently lacked as a child briefly demonstrates how witty the entire film might have been. Nonetheless, the effects are pretty terrific, Stiller is appealing, and old-timers such as Dick Van Dyke, Mickey Rooney and Bill Cobbs as the feisty daytime guards, and Stiller's mom, Anne Meara, as an employment counselor, add to the fun of this entertaining family film. Oh, and there's the standard, but always worthy, message about proving yourself against impossible odds.

The film is being shown in IMAX theaters as well as on conventional screens, and looks splendid when it's as big as the tyrannosaurus rex who gets the astonished Larry to play "fetch."

The film contains light slapstick violence. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-I — general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

Comments

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    Guest

    There is an excellent theme in this film that is easily missed. Larry tries first to get the various creatures to bend to his will by sheer trickery and phoniness (pardon the neologism). This tact is unsuccessful until he tries genuine leadership in appealing to a common cause. Then the whole anarchic lot come together and accomplish the seemingly impossible. I took my teenage boys to this movie and did not have to cringe, and we had a good discussion about this theme afterwards. It is a useful leadership lesson, as I am always looking for leadership examples to teach from. Of course, I have to mention Robin Williams’ Teddy Roosevelt: my favorite comic playing my favorite President. What a hoot! Worth the money to go see this movie, which is more than can be said about most films today. No drugs, no disordered sexuality, minor family issue of a divorced dad whose son is living with his mother and new husband (modern living).
    —charles, just a dad of 4 teen boys in south dakota

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    Guest

    Having grown up in Brooklyn, NY and having been the the American Museum of Natural History any number of times, this was a fanatasy come true for me. Yes it could have had a bit more wit, but it was a very enjoyable, Family friendly film. And word of mouth is proving this at the box office. Now, this must just be a “me” thing, but when dealing with actual locations in a fantasy,sometimes it its a good thing to use the actual place than a poor studio replica. They did reference the museum as “The Museum of Natural History” not “The American Museum of Natural History” ( the real place in NY). Anyway, I would recommend this film to anyone who is tired of the other stuff that is out there.

  3. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    cjm0316 – March 16th b-day, maybe? – what’s wrong with neologisms? I’m chockful of the critters, myself –

    And, I will go see the film if you forward your four teen-age sons (God bless their mother!) to go with me. JoeLukowski can throw in his own brood, has he one, to make a veritable party out of the occasion.

    I remain your obedient servant, but God’s first,

    Pristinus Sapienter

    (wljewell @catholicexchange.com or … yahoo.com)

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