Flashback Friday: Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014)

When a film franchise becomes successful, the audience becomes more discerning. Based on the previous movies in the series, we have certain expectations of where the narrative will go.

Night of the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014) is the third movie in the Night at the Museum trilogy. Following the events of Night at the Museum (2006) and Night at the Museum: Battle for the Smithsonian (2009), Larry Dailey (Ben Stiller) has to save the magic before all is lost. Along the way, he is helped by old friends Jedediah (Owen Wilson), Octavius (Steve Coogan), and Teddy Roosevelt (the late Robin Williams in the next to last role before his untimely passing) and new friends. These new friends include Sir Lancelot (Dan Stevens) and Ahkmenrah (Rami Malek).

Though this movie is not as good as its predecessors, it is not all bad. It has the same energy and comedy as the first two films. But there is something missing, though I cannot put my finger on it.

Do I recommend it? Maybe.

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Throwback Thursday: Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009)

Movie sequels have a tenuous reputation. Some are worthy of the reputation created by their predecessors, others are nothing but an unnecessary retread of what came before.

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian premiered in 2009. In the sequel to Night at the Museum (2006), the audience is taken on another journey with Larry Dailey (Ben Stiller). When his friends Jedediah (Owen Wilson) and Octavius (Steve Coogan) are shipped to the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. by mistake, Larry has to find a way to return them to New York City. Along the way, he is helped by new pals Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams) and old Teddy Roosevelt (the late Robin Williams).

I liked this movie. It has the charm of the original with enough buildup to keep the overall narrative going. What makes it stand out from the first film is the subtle history lesson that the audience may or may not be aware of.

Do I recommend it? Yes.

Flashback Friday-Night At The Museum (2006)

The path that is life can often throw us strange curveballs.

In Night At Museum (2006), Larry Daly (Ben Stiller) has a dilemma on his hands. Divorced with as young son, Nick (Jake Cherry), Larry has no job and is about be evicted from his apartment. The only job he can find is a night guard at the Museum of Natural History in New York City.

Larry is replaced three security guards, Cecil (Dick Van Dyke), Gus (Mickey Rooney) and Reginald (Bill Cobbs) who are being forced to retire. Larry thinks the job will be easy. How wrong he is. At night, the exhibits come to life. Larry soon learns that his predecessors want the stone that brings the exhibits to life. Can he save the museum and prevent the theft?

While the movie has its slapstick moments, it’s also very well made. And, without knowing it, the audience is receiving a history lesson.

Do I recommend it? Yes.