The next few nights offer more of the same (with some escalation in the cartoonish violence) and a deepening relationship between Larry and the historical figure to whom he feels a particular affinity, Teddy Roosevelt ( Robin Williams). Astride his horse, Texas, the 26th U.S. president mouths assorted maxims, most frequently "Some men are born to greatness, others have greatness thrust upon them." He tells Larry that "this is that very moment." Though Larry doesn't quite believe that he can be great, he's been hoping to be. Not only must he find a way to bring the nightly chaos under some control, but he must stop thieves from stealing treasure from the museum.
Although the individual creatures can be entertaining, "Night at the Museum" is repetitive and too invested in its silly explanation of how the coming-to-live phenomenon came about (something about an Egyptian pharaoh's tablet). The movie makes a cursory case for the significance of the "first working mother," Lewis and Clark guide Sacajawea (Mizuo Peck), even though -- stuck behind a soundproof glass exhibit -- she's unable to speak or hear the action for much of the film. And it even promotes reading, as Larry researches all his new charges in a bookstore (apparently in one day). Entertaining as it is, though, "Night at the Museum" falls short of "greatness" ... not that kids will care.
Fans might also like thematically similar movies like "Jumanji," "Zathura," and "Ghostbusters."
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
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