“Night at the Museum” was released during the crowded holiday season of 2006. I avoided seeing it right away because I just wasn’t excited about the premise from the trailers and commercials. But once I did check it out, about halfway through I realized I was watching something special.
2009’s copycat sequel, “Battle of the Smithsonian”, which took NYC Museum of Natural History Security Guard Larry Daley (played by Ben Stiller) to Washington D.C., was a major disappointment. The originality and elements of wonder of the first film were nowhere to be seen.
And, unfortunately, they don’t return in this threequel, either – released a whopping five and a half years after “Smithsonian”.
The plot of “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb” is so paper thin it’s surprising that returning director Shawn Levy was able to stretch its runtime to an hour and a half. The opening scenes are straight-out of “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “The Mummy”, as an archaeologist and his son, in 1938 Egypt, discover an ancient tomb and very special tablet. The son, as we soon learn, is Cecil, former museum security guard and nemesis of Larry in the original “Night at the Museum”.
On to present day and the critical problem that propels the story: The tablet, which is what brings the museum pieces to life every night, is losing its power. Dick Van Dyke returns as Cecil, as do his partners, played once again by Bill Cobbs and the late Mickey Rooney. Cecil tells Larry that he should go to the Egyptian exhibit at the British Museum in London to get the real truth about the tablet and try to save his friends.
“Tomb” also includes a side storyline involving Larry and teenage son Nick, who wants to put-off going to college and become a DJ, a plan Larry isn’t happy with. This material isn’t nearly compelling enough for the amount of time it gets, especially in what’s supposed to be a high-energy, family action/adventure. Stiller often looks like he’s more than ready to put this franchise to bed, and the always reliable (with the right material) Ricky Gervais, who was great in the first film and barely in the second, is wasted here again.
Several new characters are introduced and all have their problems. A caveman/Larry look-alike named Laaa (also played by Stiller) doesn’t provide any laughs. Sir Ben Kingsley, as an Egyptian ruler, only gets a few minutes of screen time. Rebel Wilson, as the British Museum Security Guard, does her “Rebel Wilson” thing, but it seems awkwardly out of place here. And the schtick of noble knight Sir Lancelot (Dan Stevens), gets old rather quickly. However, he is part of the film’s most entertaining scene, which involves a surprise cameo by a well-known actor, hilariously playing himself. It’s one of two fond memories I’ll have of this movie.
The other is watching the late Robin Williams one last time, in his final live-action and notable role, once again playing 26th President of the United States, Teddy Roosevelt. There is a sentimental and touching scene near the end of the film with Williams and Stiller saying goodbye which, obviously, carries much more meaning that it did when it was filmed. In the closing credits, a line under Williams’ name reads – “Magic Never Ends”.
However, it is time for the “Night at the Museum” franchise to end, and you can tell while watching it that Levy and all the regulars knew it, too. “Secret of the Tomb” is only slightly better than “Smithsonian”, as it tries way too hard to be cute and clever, and rarely succeeds. The theme of this story, which we hear over and over, is the importance of letting go. Let’s hope everyone involved with this series practices what they preach.
On The Official LCJ Report Card, “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb” gets a C-.