Finally got to see Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb
SPOILER FREE
Before discussing this one, it's probably best to revert back to the previous two installments in the popular family-oriented trilogy. The first Night at the Museum was a solid entertaining family film that had a neat concept to it while also carrying a healthy amount of heart to it. Ben Stiller was appealing in the lead role leading a supporting cast of iconic characters that are actual artifacts in a museum. The second film wasn't quite as good as the first but wasn't terrible, though by that time, it became abundantly clear the scripts were beginning to grow stale. Amy Adams brought a nice breath of fresh air to the film, and so did Hank Azaria as the villain. Now 9 years after the franchise started, we reach it's conclusion which is a sad one I might add with the recent deaths of Robin Williams and Mickey Rooney. I went into this film not allowing those two incidents to influence my opinion of the film and to judge the movie on it's own right. So how did Night at the Museum 3 perform you might ask?
For the most part, the movie succeeds as being a decent piece of entertainment, and a fitting end to a luxurious career that Robin Williams led. However, the film as a whole isn't that great and shows that the franchise was truly in desperate need of retiring. Usually by the time a comedic trilogy reaches it's third film, the jokes have grown to be quite stale. The same can kind of be said about this one. The plot of the film deals with the character Larry played by Ben Stiller, going across the globe uniting new characters while embarking on an epic quest to save the magic before it is gone forever and his museum inhabitants return to being pure statues. What makes the story work for this one is it still carries with it a good ounce of heart, giving the audience the feeling that this is truly the end. These characters that you have grown to like since the first film are in the fight of their life and unless they can get back the magical tablet that allows them to roam free throughout the museum, they will be finished. Even though the storyline works, it feels underdeveloped at times like it could've and should've been bigger in scope. The whole subplot between Stiller's character and his son in the film leaves a lot to be desired in the audiences eyes, and a question mark looms of what happened with the fateful meeting of Amy Adams human form at the end of the second movie. Her absence is missed here, and a really good opportunity to see where Stiller's character ended up with his moment of good fortune at the end of the second film is wasted. Stiller gives an admirable performance as the kind and adventurous museum guard whose getting a real kick out of the magic he's unearthed but is heartbroken to see it all come to an end and having to move forward. Other actors who give strong performances are Robin Williams as Teddy Roosevelt, making you just fall in love with his depiction of the iconic figure while also feeling an ounce of sadness to his character. Owen Wilson shines as Jedediah, Dan Stevens as Sir Lancelot, Steve Coogan as Octavius, and Ben Kingsley as Merenkahre. There's even a nice celebrity cameo involving Hugh Jackman in the films third act which is sure to bring in laughs from the audience.What starts off as a rather dry first part of the film gradually improves once the museum characters take off to search for the magical tablet, and concludes with a heartfelt climax. One of the film's best moments comes near the end when Teddy Roosevelt bids farewell to Larry, feeling almost like Williams is saying goodbye to the audience.
Overall, Night at the Museum 3 is a solid conclusion to a franchise that's directly aimed at young children and families. It may not be as good as it could've been as a series wrapper, but it is not the disaster that it could've been like another third film in a similar series called Mummy 3:Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor. If you want some decent laughs and a sense of adventure, then this film is recommended. If you're looking for something with a stronger script and more serious tone, then Exodus is the direction to head towards.
7/10
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