Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? No.
Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? If you enjoyed the previous two “Night at the Museum” instalments.
Secret ending? No.
Running time: 98 minutes (~1.5 hours)
“Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb” is an adventure comedy, and the final film in the “Night at the Museum” trilogy (bet you didn’t even realise it was a trilogy). It follows the adventures of a museum security guard and his living museum exhibit friends as they race to find the secret of their origins. It stars Ben Stiller (Larry Daley, Laa), Robin Williams (Theodore Roosevelt), Owen Wilson (Jedediah), Steve Coogan (Octavius), Ricky Gervais (Dr McPhee), Dan Stevens (Sir Lancelot), Rebel Wilson (Tilly), Skyler Gisondo (Nicky Daley), Rami Malek (Ahkmenrah), and Ben Kingsley (Merenkahre).
“Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb” works well as a standalone movie – the premise is easy to grasp, and all references to previous movies are minor or easily explained. It features many of the returning cast, and takes place in the streets of London as well. There aren’t quite as many jokes as you’d expect, but there’s plenty of action (though light on story) to keep the plot flowing.
Also, there’s that amusing thrill of seeing Ben Kingsley act as an Egyptian pharoah when just a month ago, he appeared in “Exodus: Gods and Kings” as a Jewish elder.
Highlights
Good animation and creative graphics
The costumes and special effects are well executed, bolstered by the constant action (either fighting or chaos). The dinosaur skeletons are a bonus – animated dinosaurs are already a draw, but animated dinosaur skeletons are incredibly fun to watch. Of special note are the costumes – they provide variety and detail to what would be the standard exhibits in an American museum, and continue to be the visually arresting element in the film.
Good closure to the series
There’s a finality to the film as it begins – after all, the stakes are that the museum exhibits might no longer come alive if they don’t solve the problem in time. It gives each of the major characters a good send off, as well as a proper resolution to the hero of the series, Larry Daley. A bittersweet farewell, to be sure, but a good one nonetheless.
Letdowns
Denouement drags on for too long
Unfortunately, the definitive closure comes at a cost – the movie drags on for far too long after the climax as it tries to resolve all the threads and give each character his or her moment in the spotlight. A montage would have done it much better – some of the dialogue is just plain pointless.
Too many plot holes
There are simply too many problems with the logic of the script, with the single most glaring one to do with the passage of time. The effort to stick to the premise of the title is appreciated, but not at the expense of what is believable.
Nicky Daley and Dexter (the monkey) are gratingly irritating
These are the two most annoying characters in the film. Nicky Daley’s presence might help cement the themes of the film, but his entire raison d’etre is just to complain about life – in a high-pitched, prepubescent voice no less. Dexter provides over-the-top slapstick that has grown wearisome in the third film.
“Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb” still manages to entertain with its inventive scenarios and fast-paced action. It’s a family movie that everyone will enjoy, and serves as light entertainment for the holidays.
“Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb” opens in cinemas 25 December, 2014 (Thursday).
This review was also published on Yahoo Singapore.
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