Review: Night at the Museum: Battle for the Smithsonian
Starting a few years after the first Night at the Museum left off, this sequel is a fun return to the same characters and situation that made the first installment memorable.
Amy Adams is one of my favorite new editions as Amelia Earhart. The little flirtation was a little awkward with Ben Stiller's stiff delivery, but I guess that could be taken as a sadness for her waxy fate at the end of the night. Her spunk and moxie really brightened up the sequel-scape. My favorite 1930's euphemism was "jimmyjacked"!
The other supporting roles played by Hank Azaria, Owen Wilson, and Steve Coogan (Hamlet 2) had great chemistry and played off each other better than Ben Stiller with any other character.
Stiller and the monkies should have stayed on the cutting room floor, but little gags like the scene with the Einstein bobbleheads were gold! Plus, some of the visual effects with the paintings and modernist sculptures in the Smithsonian Castle were fascinating. Amy Adams sparkled on-screen but these interesting background effects filled my eye and captured my attention every time.
If the first Night at the Museum was enjoyable, then this installment is definitely worth seeing in theatres and later on. There were some laughs and the take-away value is definitely high. I was surprised this sequel actually lived up to its predecessor.
Rating (1 to 5): 3.5 Miniature Cowboy Owen Wilsons
Amy Adams is one of my favorite new editions as Amelia Earhart. The little flirtation was a little awkward with Ben Stiller's stiff delivery, but I guess that could be taken as a sadness for her waxy fate at the end of the night. Her spunk and moxie really brightened up the sequel-scape. My favorite 1930's euphemism was "jimmyjacked"!
The other supporting roles played by Hank Azaria, Owen Wilson, and Steve Coogan (Hamlet 2) had great chemistry and played off each other better than Ben Stiller with any other character.
Stiller and the monkies should have stayed on the cutting room floor, but little gags like the scene with the Einstein bobbleheads were gold! Plus, some of the visual effects with the paintings and modernist sculptures in the Smithsonian Castle were fascinating. Amy Adams sparkled on-screen but these interesting background effects filled my eye and captured my attention every time.
If the first Night at the Museum was enjoyable, then this installment is definitely worth seeing in theatres and later on. There were some laughs and the take-away value is definitely high. I was surprised this sequel actually lived up to its predecessor.
Rating (1 to 5): 3.5 Miniature Cowboy Owen Wilsons
