For the uninitiated, Night at the Museum.3 (often confused with Secret of the Tomb ) takes protagonist Larry Daley—played with everyman charm by Ben Stiller—on his most desperate adventure yet. The magical Egyptian tablet that brings exhibits to life at the American Museum of Natural History is corroding. The gold is flaking. The magic is dying.
To understand the significance of the third film, one must appreciate the foundation laid by its predecessors. Released in 2006, the original Night at the Museum introduced us to Larry Daley (Ben Stiller), a down-on-his-luck dreamer who takes a job as a night guard at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. The hook was irresistible: thanks to an ancient Egyptian artifact, the exhibits spring to life the moment the sun sets. night at the museum.3
Next time you visit a natural history museum—when the crowds thin and the security guards start locking the side doors—look closely at the dioramas. The cavemen might not wink. The T. rex might not roar. But thanks to this little film that could, you might feel a faint shimmer in the air. That is the residue of a franchise that knew exactly when to lower its curtain. For the uninitiated, Night at the Museum
★★★★☆ (Four out of five stars. Minus one star for a slightly rushed second act. Plus a bonus star for Robin Williams’ final scene.) The magic is dying