Night at the Museum (DVD, 2007, Full Frame)

Night at the Museum is a movie about unemployed Larry (Ben Stiller) and him desperately wanting the respect of his 10 year-old son. Larry takes a job at the Museum of Natural History to try to gain some stability and keep a place close to his son. When Larry decides he finally wants to make this job stick, he uses clever and interesting ways to keep the peace and destruction down to a minimum. The “advice ridden” and responsible presence of Robin Williams was great. Robin was toned down and believably smitten with Sacagawea. The film is filled with excellent CGI museum displays running amuck and wandering the halls. There was so much to see I’m sure the family will enjoy this movie much more upon DVD re-viewing. In the theater, my 6 year-old son cheered aloud when he saw Owen Wilson (Shanghi Knights, Shanghi Noon, Cars) as a cowboy with his feelings on his sleeve. With him was Steve Coogan (Around the World in 80 Days) and also present briefly is Paul Rudd (Clueless). I have to admit that the presence of an actor named Ricky Gervais as the Museum director seemed to have a “cameo feel” I just didn’t get. He received way too much screen time and attention, especially for someone I had no idea who he was, coupled with the fact that he was totally unfunny and a bad actor to boot… well, it was painful to watch. The three old guys playing the former security guards were just that, the director could have saved some money and cast just one, although hearing Micky Rooney (The Black Stallion) calling Ben Stiller “butterscotch” was pretty funny. I missed the chemistry between Owen Wilson and Ben Stiller present in their other movies (Zoolander, Meet the Parents), probably due to the fact that because of the special effects, neither really shared screen time. Owen and Steve did sneak in some funny references to other movies that the kids definitely won’t (probably for the best, shouldn’t) catch. Don’t forget this is a FAMILY film and you will like this movie.

Ben Stiller plays Larry Daly, a divorced dad who has had many different careers as well as apartments in New York. He can't seem to hold down a 'real' job, and is faced with the prospect of moving again, his car is immobilized with a Boot, and his ex-wife, wanting more stability for their son, wants him to grow up. To prevent him moving to Queens, he takes a job at a the Museum of Natural History; replacing the 3 older night guards who are being downsized. As he assumes his responsibilities, he receives the "instruction manual" on what to do, and the order to do it in. Soon, after a nap, Larry wakes up to find the T-Rex Skeleton getting a drink from the bubbler, he meets Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams), Attila the Hun, Sacagawea, Christopher Columbus, Dexter the monkey, cavemen searching for fire, Civil war figures that come to life, and a giant talking Easter island head that loves chewing gum. The story goes that in the 50's when the pharoah Akmen-Rah was brought to the exhibit with his most prized possession, the tablet of Akmen-Rah, that night the entire museum came alive, and every night since. Larry, only wanting the love of his son, brings him to the museum one night, and uncovers and foils a plot by the 3 downsized former night guards to steal the Tablet, as they also get 'new life' at night. Larry rallys the entire museum to save the tablet, and in the process, unites all the exhibits to become friends. This was an excellent family movie, and the visual effects are top-notch. I took my 6 year old daughter to see it in the theatre, without even having seen a preview for it, and she absolutely loved it. I highly recommend this as a Must See family film. Enjoy, and don't forget the popcorn. Samantha's Daddy

Ben Stiller,Dick Van Dyke,Owen Wilson and Mickey Rooney.

Ben Stiller plays a divorced father trying to make ends meet, traveling from one job to another. Dick Van Dyke is an aging nightwatchman along with mickey rooney and one other man. They are being replaced because they are too old. The museum wants someone younger. In walks Ben Stiller (meet the fockers). Dick Van Dyke (mary tyler moore show, Mary Poppins) gives him a piece of paper and tells him do everything on the list, and you will be fine. Poor Ben, doesnt get a chance as the museum comes to life, before his eyes. The next day he decides he is going to get out of the job and go and find another job. His son sees him get fired, but he ends up begging for his job back. The next day as he reads history on all things in the museum and goes to work that night Teddy Roosevelt (robin williams) finds him and helps him out as well. Soon his son joins him at the museum and they soon discover a plot by the aging watchman in a plan that is hatched to let Ben Stiller take the fall for their crime. As they make off with an old artifact that makes them young again. And all the gold they are taking, they could live very well off for the rest of their lives.

This is a great family film, one you can watch over and over again, and still enjoy it as if seeing it for the first time.

In my opinion, you've seen one Ben Stiller character, you've seen them all...his acting technique never changes, but he makes some great movies so you don't really mind. In this movie, he gets a job as a night guard at a museum and finds it's not what he expects! My 4 year old LOVED this movie, the dinosaur mostly, and it actually kept her whole attention which is rare for a non-animated movie. Robin Williams and Owen Wilson execute their supporting roles beautifully! This is definitely a great family flick, the twist will keep you all enthralled :)

Ben Stiller is very funny in this cute movie about a man struggling to find work and set a great example for his young son. When he takes a new job as a security guard he has no idea what he is in for. Everything in the museum comes alive and he has to maintain control. Once the plot is unveiled of the former security guards he needs all the help he can get, even that of the warring figurines in the museum to stop burglary. Highly recommend for the whole family........