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Movie Review: Night at the Museum II
Jul. 27th, 2010 08:24 amI adored the first Night at the Museum movie. It was fast-paced and funny and its central conceit – the museum exhibits come to life at night! –well-executed: the workings internally consistent, if zany, and the explanation why this happened spaced so the viewer desperately wanted to know the information when it arrived.
Tragically, Night at the Museum II has none of these strengths. Its pacing is jerky and many of its jokes strained. (What idiot thought that the middle of the climactic battle would be a hilarious time for Larry-our-hero to lecture the capuchin monkeys about not slapping him?) The central bad guy is about as sinister as a Muppet, despite his stated intention to take over the world.
( Spoilers. )
Also, the treatment of historical characters is disappointing. Mind, the first movie wasn’t hardcore historically accurate either, but – as the movie explained – the mannequins were echoes of the people they represented, not embodiments. And besides, they were awesome characters in their own right! Teddy Roosevelt, Sacajewea, Jedediah, Octavius, the capuchin monkey…their encore is the best thing about the second movie.
None of the characters in the second film could reasonably be called an echo of any historical figure. Amelia Earhart is an air-headed flapper. (And played by Amy Adams, who I normally like! I was terribly disappointed.) Abe Lincoln is an addled wind-up toy that spouts portentous quotes. Napoleon is obsessed with being short, Ivan the Terrible is characterized mostly by saying “Da!” and – actually, I’m not sure we meet anyone else remotely interesting.
No, wait, George Armstrong Custer shows up. He has two scenes are actually funny, if somewhat belabored. And there’s this giant red balloon dog which bounces around in the background; that was totally cool.
Mostly, though, it’s a terribly, terribly disappointing movie.
Tragically, Night at the Museum II has none of these strengths. Its pacing is jerky and many of its jokes strained. (What idiot thought that the middle of the climactic battle would be a hilarious time for Larry-our-hero to lecture the capuchin monkeys about not slapping him?) The central bad guy is about as sinister as a Muppet, despite his stated intention to take over the world.
( Spoilers. )
Also, the treatment of historical characters is disappointing. Mind, the first movie wasn’t hardcore historically accurate either, but – as the movie explained – the mannequins were echoes of the people they represented, not embodiments. And besides, they were awesome characters in their own right! Teddy Roosevelt, Sacajewea, Jedediah, Octavius, the capuchin monkey…their encore is the best thing about the second movie.
None of the characters in the second film could reasonably be called an echo of any historical figure. Amelia Earhart is an air-headed flapper. (And played by Amy Adams, who I normally like! I was terribly disappointed.) Abe Lincoln is an addled wind-up toy that spouts portentous quotes. Napoleon is obsessed with being short, Ivan the Terrible is characterized mostly by saying “Da!” and – actually, I’m not sure we meet anyone else remotely interesting.
No, wait, George Armstrong Custer shows up. He has two scenes are actually funny, if somewhat belabored. And there’s this giant red balloon dog which bounces around in the background; that was totally cool.
Mostly, though, it’s a terribly, terribly disappointing movie.
