 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Night at the Museum
- Review Date: April 22, 2007
- PG
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 2006
Common Sense Media says
Cute adventure; OK for tweens, but a little scary for kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that kids will definitely want to see this much-hyped, effects-heavy adventure. The effects are good (the dinosaur skeleton is especially fun), but the plot is uneven and the action hectic, with some point-of-view camerawork that could potentially startle younger viewers. The movie features spastic, cartoonish violence by the museum exhibits that come to life. This includes shooting (Civil War soldiers), explosions (miniature cowboys and miners), poison dart-shooting (miniature Mayans), chasing and hunting (dinosaur skeleton, lions), fighting, and car-crashing. Weapons include arrows, swords, guns, catapults, spears, axes. There's a repeated joke about Attila the Hun's preference for ripping off victims' limbs. Larry has an antagonistic relationship with a monkey and repeatedly disappoints his son (who acts sad) -- until the end, when he's impressed by his father's quick decision-making.
What's the story?
In an effort to maintain contact with and provide some level of stability for his 10-year-old son, Nicky (Jake Cherry), divorced father Larry (Ben Stiller) needs to get a job. To that end, Larry applies to be a night guard at New York's Museum of Natural History, a job he believes will be "ordinary." So he doesn't really listen when retiring security guards Cecil (Dick Van Dyke), Reginald (Bill Cobbs), and Gus (Mickey Rooney) advise him to read their handwritten instruction manual and follow the steps exactly and in order. When Larry falls asleep on his first night, he wakes to find that an amazing change has occurred: The exhibits have come to life! The next few nights offer more of the same and a deepening relationship between Larry and the historical figure to whom he feels a particular affinity, Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams). Not only must Larry find a way to bring the nightly chaos under control, he must also stop thieves from stealing treasure from the museum.
Is it any good?
Mostly cute and often spastic, NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM runs out of story early. Although the individual creatures can be entertaining, the film is repetitive and too invested in its silly explanation of how the coming-to-life phenomenon came about (something about an Egyptian pharaoh's tablet). The movie makes a cursory case for the significance of the "first working mother," Lewis and Clark guide Sacajawea (Mizuo Peck), even though -- stuck behind a soundproof glass exhibit -- she's unable to speak or hear the action for much of the film. And it even promotes reading, as Larry researches all his new charges in a bookstore (apparently in one day). Entertaining as it is, though, Night at the Museum falls short of "greatness" ... not that kids will care.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the message behind all of the fancy effects. Why is it the important to pursue your dreams -- and to learn, read books, and discuss ideas as you do so?
How is Larry inspired by his new friends to go after his dreams?
Does Larry's relationship with his son seem realistic to you? Who seems more grown-up of the two? Does that change over the course of the movie?
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AGE
Great for older kids, and even some 4 or 5 yr olds
My 4 1/2 daughter really loved this movie and has watched it many times but I'm sure she doesn't get all of it. But she doesn't find any of the parts she doesn't get overly scary or disturbing and there's lots she finds funny.
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AGE
e.g. Perfect for older kids, but not for tweens
I did not at all approve of the main character slapping the monkey.
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AGE
A really smart Movie
I really loved this movie i think that the idea the that museum coming to life seems really cool. for my end of the year field trip we saw the secend
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AGE
One of my favorites, the original night at the museum is much better than the first. While learning some random facts about history, you'll also be laughing till you cry as Lary interacts with all of the fun characters, (especially Jed and Octavious.) Some language might be a little inappropriate for the very little kids and there is some crude humour involving a slap fight with a monkey, but overall is a fun family film.
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AGE
great movie
It is a hilarios movie with lots of action!
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Kid, 10 years old
January 21, 2010
AGE
good
I love the movie! there's not a lot of violent stuff. no blood. and there's a dinosuar too.
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AGE
Fun at the museum!
Just loved it...good fun with history lessons thrown it.
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Kid, 11 years old
April 23, 2010
AGE
Love it!!!
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Kid, 11 years old
March 20, 2010
AGE
wonderful
Fun Movie the only part that sraced me was the mummy .
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy, adventures, misfits and underdogs |
| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox |
| Director: | Shawn Levy |
| Cast: | Ben Stiller, Carla Gugino, Robin Williams |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 100 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 22, 2006 |
| DVD release date: | April 24, 2007 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | mild action, language and brief rude humor |
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