Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian

Director: Shawn Levy
Starring: Ben Stiller, Amy Adams, Owen Wilson, Hank Azaria
Details: US/105mins (PG)

The first Night at the Museum was pretty much your archetypically broad American comedy, designed to appeal to as many people as possible, thus offending no one. It was the epitome of comedic bland, so naturally was a huge box-office success, bringing in the masses and making damn sure that this sequel would soon follow. This one is marginally better than that insipid effort, as director Levy throws more stars, more special effects and an even heavier underlining message at us - learning is cool, kids. But this is still little more than some talented comedians dumbing it down and picking up a paycheque.

This time out, Stiller's former night security guard has become a big success, having started his own company and invented lots of cool, useless gadgets - the kind they sell on cheesy infomercials. Occasionally he'll head back to the Natural History Museum and frolic with his buddies, but he's too busy with his company to really put his heart into it. When he finds out that all of the exhibits are being shipped to Washington for storage, he hits the capital city to protect his pals from Hank Azaria's dastardly Kahmunrah; an Egyptian Prince, with a chip on his shoulder the size of a pyramid. During the trip at the Smithsonian, he meets Amelia Earhart (Adams), the famous American adventurer, and soon feels sparks.

Obviously aimed squarely at the kids, you still can't help but feel that nobody's heart is fully in this. Stiller is not an actor built to play the straight man, and despite one overtly slapstick scene (where he literally spanks two monkeys) there really isn’t a lot of opportunities for him to be funny. When they do fall, they land mainly at the feet of Azaria, who does manage to raise a few chuckles; but the likes of Jonah Hill, Owen Wilson and Ricky Gervais are basically the crust of a shoddy comedy pizza. Adams still lights up the screen, even in a silly role, though - and a sillier ending. A positive message it may project, but there is not a lot here to engage anyone over 12.

Review by Mike Sheridan :

Share |

Agree/Disagree? Write your own review.

Most Popular Reviews

	Scott Pilgrim vs the World
	The Switch
	Grown Ups
	Salt
	The Last Exorcism

Most Popular Trailers

	Inception
	Scott Pilgrim vs the World
	Grown Ups
	The Switch
	Salt

Your Reviews

Write a review and tell us what YOU think! And what's even better is that your reviews can earn you Review Points and cinema tickets or iTunes Music vouchers.

Worth a Sunday Evening Watch - Will

If you are looking for breakthrough cinematography or Oscar winning performances this isn't for you. Night at the Museum 2 is a funny light hearted entertaining romp that revisits the life of Larry... MORE
Review Published 04 November 2009

Star Rating:

Post your review - have your say

You need to be logged in to post a review. If you have an account use your details to log on. Alternately, you can create an account by entering a valid email address and a password will be sent to you.

Your Email:
(Your email address will NOT appear on the website)
I already have a uLike account
I am a new user
Password: Lost Your Password?
Display Name:
(This is the name that will appear beside your review on the website)
Review Summary:
Your Review:
Star Rating:
Terms and Conditions: I have read the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Search for Cinema Listings

County:
Film:
Cinema:

Entertainment Ireland