by Cookie N Screen
Family fun now comes in threes. Or fives by today’s Hollywood standards. Frankly, if you have succeeded in thrilling the children once then you are guaranteed to spout out loads of different movies with the same characters because nothing thrills the pint-sized kiddiewinks more than repetition. It’s all smart concoction that peddles out these films in order for you to shell over more dosh to keep your children snot-nosed and happy. Only, there are sometimes family movie trilogies that have forethought and planning so by the time the third movie roles around, you feel as though an entire story has been completed and characters have journeyed well.
This is kind of the feeling Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb has.
Family fun now comes in threes. Or fives by today’s Hollywood standards. Frankly, if you have succeeded in thrilling the children once then you are guaranteed to spout out loads of different movies with the same characters because nothing thrills the pint-sized kiddiewinks more than repetition. It’s all smart concoction that peddles out these films in order for you to shell over more dosh to keep your children snot-nosed and happy. Only, there are sometimes family movie trilogies that have forethought and planning so by the time the third movie roles around, you feel as though an entire story has been completed and characters have journeyed well.
This is kind of the feeling Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb has.
Returning to the National History Museum in New York, Larry and his gang of museum exhibits are back and are impressing the entire city with their special effects performances. However, during a special night, the likes of Atilla The Hun and Teddy Roosevelt start to act peculiarly. The Tablet of Ahkmenrah is rotting and the only way to restore it is to head to London to the British Museum in order to reunite Ahkmenrah with his family who know more about the magic of the tablet than anyone. But can Larry, his son and the wax works solve the mystery before they are lost forever?
They often say that the best things come in threes and for a finale film, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb is good enough to allow the series to conclude on a high note. However, it feels as though the entire film is holding back, not hitting as many punches as it good and kicks off so slowly that you’ll be forgiven for not entirely caring about the plot or characters. Though we are used to the collection of old historical statues and sprung to life tableaus, the first half of the film relies on our familiarity and it isn’t exactly engaging enough for us to feel any danger or plight, therefore making it a rather dull affair. It’s as though director Shaun Levy and the team are afraid of going overboard and falls on the knowledge of the first two films to pull you through.
They often say that the best things come in threes and for a finale film, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb is good enough to allow the series to conclude on a high note. However, it feels as though the entire film is holding back, not hitting as many punches as it good and kicks off so slowly that you’ll be forgiven for not entirely caring about the plot or characters. Though we are used to the collection of old historical statues and sprung to life tableaus, the first half of the film relies on our familiarity and it isn’t exactly engaging enough for us to feel any danger or plight, therefore making it a rather dull affair. It’s as though director Shaun Levy and the team are afraid of going overboard and falls on the knowledge of the first two films to pull you through.
It’s only when we are introduced to Lancelot played hilariously by Dan Stevens that the movie kicks off in a rather great way. Stevens lauds up the performance as the handsome, somewhat silly and raucous knight that steals every scene he is in. Because the minute he arrives on the screen, you can tell that the rising star actor is having a whale of a time, chortling in a medieval hysteria that is very akin to Robin Hood: Men In Tights and similar to how Ewan McGregor gives no shits in Jack The Giant Slayer. He is romping through the role and it is so incredible to watch. And when he arrives, so do the jokes and it's no longer just Lancelot pulling Night at the Museum 3 up to a stunning and comical film (incidentally, Ben Kingsley has one of the best, albeit uncouth, jokes in the entire film). There is an excellent cameo too that will have you splitting your sides and roaring with laughter.
Though you’ll cringe at the Rebel Wilson edition, an actress who seems to suffer when she isn’t in great films like Pitch Perfect, and there are some jokes that feel more awkward than they do funny, you’ll ultimately leave Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb on a high. Mainly due to the second half and also because Ben Stiller’s Larry is endearing, the family film fuels festivities in these harsh winters months. It is also a loving film to say goodbye to the late great Robin Williams and Mickey Rooney, and beloved swan song for these acting legends.
Though you’ll cringe at the Rebel Wilson edition, an actress who seems to suffer when she isn’t in great films like Pitch Perfect, and there are some jokes that feel more awkward than they do funny, you’ll ultimately leave Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb on a high. Mainly due to the second half and also because Ben Stiller’s Larry is endearing, the family film fuels festivities in these harsh winters months. It is also a loving film to say goodbye to the late great Robin Williams and Mickey Rooney, and beloved swan song for these acting legends.
What Do You Think?
Is this film as big as Lancelot's hair?
Or is it as flat as his nose?
Let us know in the comments below!
Night At The Museum 3: The Secret of the Tomb is out now!
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