My Review of the Night of the Museum Franchise

        So with the third Night at the Museum film (Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb) coming to theaters this weekend, I thought it would be fitting to review the two previous entries in the franchise. So without further ado...

Night at the Museum

        When Larry Daley (played by Ben Stiller), a divorced father who can't seem to keep a job for more than a week, applies for a job at the Museum of Natural History, he is assigned as a night guard. However, a seemingly easy job turns out to be a wild ride when he finds that an ancient curse has caused the "inhabitants" of the museum to come to life.

        This is a really solid movie. It's an original film that includes an all-star cast that all do their parts to make the film good. I really enjoyed the performances of Ben Stiller and Robin Williams who have great chemistry between each other and they both have great comedic timing. I also really liked the story eventhough it's pretty simple. There are some hilarious jokes and scenes that will keep everyone entertained. However the film's story is so original that it can get very predictable and somewhat boring. There are also a lot of characters that don't get development or some who are developed way too quick. Also not all of the jokes hit home and some can be dragged on for a while. Overall it's a solid film with a couple of performances and a lot of originality, but the film has little development and a sometimes boring plot. I give Night at the Museum a 7 out of 10. 

Night at the Museum: Battle for the Smithsonian

 

        Larry Daley (played by Ben Stiller), the unfortunate night watchman who was the nightwatchman at New York's American Museum of Natural History is now the CEO of  of Daley Devices, a direct response television company that sells inventions inspired by his experiences as a night security guard. Learning the terrible fate of the exhibits, Larry must head to the largest museum in America... The Smithsonian where he encounters a whole new slew of exhibits as well as Pharaoh Kahmunrah (played by Hank Azaria) brother to Prince Akhmenrah who plans to open the Gate of the Underwolrd and unleash terror upon the world. 

        This was a pretty bad film. While I enjoyed some parts of the film, it's pretty much a rehash of the first film. I mean the only thing that is different is the villain and the location of where the film is set. A lot of the jokes are repeat jokes from the first film and with the same plot the movie is really boring. I will say that the effects are top notch and I really enjoyed all of the performances and I loved the addition of Hank Azaria to the cast as he brought a little more life to the film. Overall it's the same story all over again but is has much better performances than its predecessor. I give Night at the Museum a 4.5 out of 10.

Overall Franchise rating: 11.5 out of 20

        So ladies and gentlemen are you excited for Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, what are your thoughts on the franchise so far and what did you think of my review? let me know in the comments section below and let your voice be heard.

                                                                                                                           Jonah Sparks