Director: Shawn Levy
Writers: Robert Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon
Ben Stiller
Amy Adams
Robin Williams
Owen Wilson
Hank Azaria
Bill Hader
Night at the Museum was a fun film that delivered comedy fit for children and adults. NATM: Battle of the Smithsonian delivers a bunch of cheap jokes, poorly developed characters and a very forced relationship between Larry Daley (Stiller) and Amelia Earhart (Adams).
The second film is based on the characters from the first film being moved into storage. Larry Daley has gone on to greener pastures thanks to a few cool inventions and no longer has time for his magical friends. He goes to Washington after finding out the monkey took the tablet with him. Daley spends a day searching for a way into deep storage and finds it by taking the ID badge of a security guard.
By the time he makes it to deep storage all of the items are coming to life. We meet Gen. Custer (Bill Hader), all talk and light on follow through, and Amelia Earhart, a fast talking “independent” woman who immediately falls for Larry.
The film's villain is Kamunrah (Azaria), the younger brother of Akmenrah from the first film. Kamunrah has waited centuries for his opportunity to avenge the way he was treated by his parents. He gathers a predictable group of sub-villains from storage, men like Napoleon and Capone who would never have followed him in real life. Azaria is entertaining (as always) as the younger brother with an inferiority complex.
The worst part of the film is the “relationship” between Larry and Amelia. It is like watching middle-school fanfic brought to life. Everyone who sees them comments on what a cute couple they are and how they should be together. Amelia waffles back and forth from independent to needing a man. The writers really missed the mark on this and unfortunately this storyline is a large part of the film.
The film will entertain the kids but as an adult I found it boring in many places. Save your money and just watch the original.
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