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Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian


What it's about:

Security guard Larry Daley (Stiller) infiltrates the Smithsonian Institute in order to rescue Jedediah and Octavius, who have been shipped to the museum by mistake.The centrepiece of the film will be bringing to life the Smithsonian Institution, which houses the world's largest museum complex with more than 136 million items in its collections, ranging from the plane Amelia Earhart flew on her nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic and Al Capone's rap sheet and mug shot to Dorothy's ruby red slippers and Archie Bunker's lounge chair.

What we thought of it:


The second installment of Night at the Museum sees Larry as an inventor and infomercial mogul, but sadly, his latest gimmick is a glow-in-the-dark flashlight – not a very bright idea. Although he's now financially successful and has built a comfortable life for himself and his son Nicky (Jake Cherry), something's missing.

When Larry takes a visit to the museum he finds out that all the exhibits are getting shipped to the Smithsonian Institution, the largest museum in the world.

The movie reintroduces some of the favourites from the previous movie such as crusty and wise Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams), the mischievous capuchin monkey Dexter, and the aforementioned cowboy and centurion (once again played by Owen Wilson and Steve Coogan).

During the move to the new museum, Dexter takes the magic tablet along only for a very disgruntled, lisping Egyptian ruler Kahmunrah (Hank Azaria) to go after it. He enlists the help of a bunch of other resuscitated baddies, including Ivan the Terrible (Christopher Guest), Napoleon (Alain Chabat) and Al Capone (Jon Bernthal) in his plan for world, or at least museum, domination. Larry is called to the rescue and accepts both the help and the affections of one of the Smithsonian's most esteemed denizens, the firecracker adventuress Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams).

The movie reminds us why history is as amazing as it is and it takes an entertaining approach at reintegrating historical and memorable facts that one may have forgotten.

It might not be as fantastic as the first Night at the Museum, but this is definitely one for the whole family to enjoy. One actress, though, surpasses the material and our expectations. Amy Adams plays Amelia sweet and lovable, although from what I gather, in real life that was not necessarily the case, but she’s a tough cookie nonetheless, able to do whatever a guy can do.

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