"Night at the Museum:Battle of the Smithsonian" Review

Very seldom is a sequel as good as the original and even rarer is when the sequel is even better. In most cases the sequel is worse and such is the case with "Night of the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian".

What was a good idea in the original--bringing museum pieces to life--is way overdone here. The animation, the special effects, are stunning and making paintings and photographs as sets for action amazes the audience.

So what's wrong?? After a 1/2 hour the effects become excessive and the story intrudes which, as in the first movie, is to teach Ben Stiller a life lesson. I found myself nodding off more than once while waiting for a laugh which are few and far between.

I don't think acting even counts/matters in a film like this though there is an all star cast playing characters ranging from Rodin's "The Thinker", Teddy Roosevelt, Al Capone (in black and white), Ivan the Terrible, a cowboy, Pocahontas, pharaohs, not to forget Lincoln and the Lincoln Memorial!!!

Hank Azaria stands out as a lisping, British accented, pharaoh and is also the voice of The Thinker and Lincoln. Ben Stiller just repeats his role and performance from the first film as does Robin Williams. The annoying capuchin are back as is the slapping scene here extended way too long.

The most interesting performance in the film is Amy Adams as Amelia Earhart who could play any of the heroines in the 30s and 40s screwball comedies.  Her comic timing is impeccable and she brings a much natural needed sass to a bland story line.

Kids will probably like the film and adults who saw the first one don't need to see the sequel unless they want to take a nap while the kids look at the come to life history figures or are just interested in different aspects of animation.