So we were a little hesitant to watch the new Night at the Museum movie. We were afraid we would just want to cry through the whole thing, seeing Robin as the much loved Teddy Roosevelt wax figure. And so we didn't go wait in line to see it in the theatre, as we did with both of the previous NATM films. And when we saw it was on Amazon to rent, we kind of let it lay for a while.
Sunday afternoon, however, we were spending a very leisurely day at home after church -and the SEC Champsionship Game (GO CATS!!!!) - and we decided that, since my Mom was hanging with us, we would rent Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb from Amazon and see if we could survive it.
(This rental was a $4.99 - 48 hr rental.)
The thing I love about the NATM movies is how creative they are, and how they just feed the heck out of my imagination. I mean, I would move in to a museum that did that and just sit and talk to the figures. I would annoy the crap out of them, learning more than I ever thought I could. I'm a history nut, so that plays into my love of these movies too. The first one, I mean, it was incredible. Everyone knows that. The second one... there was sooo much going on, there were so many new characters.... and while it was good, while Amy Adams did a great Amelia Earhart, Hank Azaria was hilarious as Kah-mun-Rah, and we did have a little eye candy by way of Jon Bernthanl (Shane from The Walking Dead) as young Al Capone, it wasn't quite as good as the first one, IMO. It was just too much.
So I was almost ready when the opening started playing to be just a teench more disappointed.
Nope.
Not at all.
Before I begin.... I think it's safe to say, if you've been following my WIW's that there are SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
Larry Daley is in charge of what is called the "night program" at the museum and has arranged a somewhat spectacular fundraiser type dinner which included appearances from the usual exhibits and from the limited time planetarium exhibit. Just as he's getting everyone lined out for the performance Ahkmenrah comes to him and says that there is something wrong with the magical golden tablet. You know, the magical golden tablet. The one that is responsible for all the museum coming alive every night.... It's beginning to corrode, and turn green with some sort of rust.
But the show must go on. Teddy rides into the main room, filled with tables of wealthy patrons and everyones favorite museum coordinator Dr. McPhee - once again played by Ricky Gervais. Teddy introduces himself, gives an extremely brief history of the museum and talks about the stars... and then he introduces us to the constellations. They come streaming in, alive, and beautiful...
It's magic, and I knew from that moment I would love this movie.
But then something goes wrong. The tablet grows a little bit more decayed and it throws the entire exhibit haywire. Dexter the Money jumps on Larry's face, Jed and Octavius start tripping the horrified party goers. Teddy appears to have a short in his operating system, sparking different reactions, fast motion talking, slow motion talking, repetitive saluting... he even holds Larry at gunpoint and heartbreakingly says "I don't know you."
After the mess is cleaned up, Larry goes home to find Nick (his son, played in this movie by Skyler Gisondo), a soon to be High School graduate, having a party and learns that he wants to forego college to become a DJ. Oh my. The next day, he decides to do some research on the tablet, gets some great advice from Cecil, the original guard from the first movie played by the adorable Dick Van Dyke (and an appearance by another dearly departed treasure: Mickey Rooney) and pretty much forces the newly fired Dr. McPhee to arrange transferring Ahkmenrah to the British Musuem in London.
Enter Rebel Wilson as the guard at the museum. She does what she does best, making you laugh and shake your head all at the same time. Anyway, Larry and Nick sneak in after the "transfer" is complete and are surprised when they discover that instead of just Ahky (as I like to call him) being in London, Teddy has come, Sacajawea tagged along, Atilla couldn't leave it alone and of course Jed and Octavius came. Oh yes... and Dexter, can't forget Dexter. Aaaaand then there's the new Neanderthal... La, an exact copy of Larry. One of Dr. McPhee's little jests. He calls Larry "Dada." He's so funny!!
So the deal here is, Ahkmenrah and Larry need to get the tablet to Ahky's father (Sir Ben Freaking Kingsley!) so that he can tell them how to fix this problem. And the "Egypt" exhibit is deep inside the museum, and they have to get there before the tablet completely corrodes, otherwise it's the end for everyone.
Along the way, they lose Jed and Octavius. Of course. And on their sidetrack quest to find them, they encounter the super dreamy Sir Lancelot played by Dan Stevens (Matthew from Downton Abbey). He made us laugh SO HARD when he started talking.... He's just too funny. Watching him with long hair and a beard made me get even more excited for Beauty and the Beast!!!
As with any NATM movie you have your funny moments and your more serious moments. Like when Lancelot tries to take the tablet for himself, thinking it's the Holy Grail or some such relic, becoming the bad guy instead of the cute knight in shining armor. And then your right back to funny when he finds a London production of Camelot starring Hugh Jackman (who he keeps calling "Huge Ackman") and once again right back to serious when he starts losing it and throwing things into the audience, causing the tablet to corrode just a little bit more.
The lady guard and La!!! HAHAHAHA! Just watch! It's too funny!!
In the end, the New York exhibits tell Larry that they feel like Ahky and the tablet should stay in London, so that he can be with his family. There is just enough time to get back to New York while everyone from there is still awake....
I didn't find much that I disliked about this film... and there was honestly nothing that I disliked so much as to even tell you about. All in all I loved it.
And of course, I did cry, just a little bit, when Teddy said goodbye. Cause this time... for real, in real life, it was forever.
But what is a NATM without a dance party at the end!?!? We get one, and it's HILARIOUS!
If you were on the fence about watching this movie, like we were, don't be, it's funny, and definitely a perfect way to end this series. It's sad, so so so sad, watching Robin Williams' last performance, but he does it so well, and Teddy is one of his characters that, like Genie from Aladdin, will be with me forever. It spoke to my imagination and I'll forever be grateful for that.
It was SOOO worth the $5.17 (with tax) that I spent to rent this movie and I FOR SURE will be buying it on DVD to add to our collection.
This movie has all your favorites in it, has a few new faces, and in the end, when the credits roll, you will smile and say "That was a good movie."
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