|
One of the better additions to this film is
the supporting performance of Ricky Gervais who is utterly hilarious
here. Inserting much of his David Brent sensibilities, this man is a
laugh riot whenever he’s on-screen. His failed attempts to be
authoritative, his flat analogies, and his nimble threats are what make
“Night at the Museum” worthy of a glance. Fans of Gervais best take
heed, this man is hilarious here. And then there’s Steve Coogan who is
great as the miniature Roman ruler Octavius who looks like he’s having
some fun with this role, playing off of Wilson, well. Sometimes it takes
a Brit to show you how comedy is done.
Ben Stiller’s career can almost be
paralleled with Eddie Murphy’s. Both started out providing original and
edgy comedy, and were almost under-appreciated in their ways. Both
finally debuted in film starting off once again providing us with a
refreshing look at the comedy genre, and both have completely revamped
their image starring in nothing but rehashed really bad movies, that are
now leading into family films. It was really only a matter of time for
Stiller. The man’s career, beyond “The Ben Stiller Show,” has been
mostly abysmal. “Night at the Museum” is not the worst film out there
for family entertainment, but damn, it sure is mediocre.
|
There’s barely a single laugh in the
entirety, and what chuckles do arise, come from the British
nationality. Stiller is sadly treading over the same
material yet again as this uptight and well meaning shlub
who finds himself in love with a woman wholly out of his
league. This is more man hating genre devices, as we have a
night security guard falling for a beautiful well educated
woman who works at the museum, conveniently enough. |
|
 |
Meanwhile, the plot is just completely
rehashed from previous family fare as Stiller’s Larry Daley finds his
son slowly drifting away, while his wife moves on to another husband
played by the criminally under used Paul Rudd. Not to mention, Daley’s
son is an utterly petulant little shit who really insults and berates
Stiller’s character at every turn, until he manages to prove himself.
What little class the likes of Mickey Rooney, Dick Van Dyke, and Bill
Cobbs provide is undermined by a completely convoluted sub-plot
involving a museum heist that makes zero sense, whatsoever. All of which
basically meanders off into a rather dull finale, and your typical
characterization that you’d expect. Carla Gugino is the attractive tour
guide, Stiller discovers something about himself, alliances are made,
and villains are thwarted. All in one over blown mess, that would have
been entertaining thirty years ago.
Ricky Gervais and Steve Coogan are highlights in a basically overblown
and utterly mediocre family film. Stiller goes over the same material
yet again, convoluted sub-plots pepper the overall narrative, and "Night
at the Museum" is just a flat affair, and one I won't have a hard time
forgetting.
|
