Night At The Museum review

Night at the Museum is what until relatively recently would have been called a concept movie by Hollywood producers, in an attempt to disguise the fact that its concept far outweighs any sense of drama, characterisation or depth. It's directed by Shawn Levy, whose soft and cuddly CV includes both Cheaper By The Dozen films and last year's underwhelming Pink Panther remake.

Ben Stiller plays Larry Daley, a slightly desperate divorcee who as a final resort takes a job at his city's Natural History Museum in order to keep the wolf from the door, as well as being a last-gasp attempt to keep his son out of the clutches of his new stepfather.

Larry has barely spent an hour alone in the institution when he realises something is afoot: the exhibitions may be family-friendly and more importantly still during the day, but by night they come alive and run amok throughout the building. Chief among them are Robin Williams as President Roosevelt, and a warring Owen Wilson and Steve Coogan playing a Wild West cowboy and a Roman leader respectively.

It says something when Ben Stiller is outshone comedically by two octogenarians, but that's exactly what happens as Dick Van Dyke and Mickey Rooney are let loose as the former night security guards that Larry just can't shake. Indeed, Stiller sleepwalks his way through the whole affair, unable to unleash his naturally hilarious side (the film is very, very short on laughs) and forced to be the warm and fuzzy father figure.

While the technical effects are undoubtedly impressive, they seem somewhat wasted in a film which has a plot that is paper-thin. The so-what factor here is very high, and adults expecting a feelgood factor for all the family will be left feeling slightly queasy. It is possible that young children may enjoy the experience, but for everyone else this is likely to be a very long night indeed.

Paul Hurley