 | 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: Battle of the Smithsonian
- Review Date: May 20, 2009
- PG
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 2009
Common Sense Media says
Fun, fast-paced sequel is more upbeat than the original.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this follow up to the smash hit Night at the Museum is very similar in content to the original movie -- so if your kids liked that one, they'll get a kick out of this one, too. Expect lots of generally lighthearted, effects-heavy chaos and action, with slapstick chases and confrontations and some moments of peril and danger (including scenes in which a somewhat scary giant octopus wreaks havoc and others involving creepy soldiers from the Egyptian underworld). Main characters get into fights and are threatened with weapons (guns, spears, swords) and words, but no one is seriously injured. One thing that's "missing" is the uneven father-son relationship from the first movie -- this one skips the family angst in favor of a more romantic subplot that helps keep things more upbeat overall. There's a little language and some kissing, but no drinking or smoking.
What's the story?
Having left the halls of Manhattan's Museum of Natural History behind for a successful career designing and marketing products like a glow-in-the-dark flashlight, Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) is dismayed when he finds out that all of his museum pals are being shipped off to deep storage at the Smithsonian to make way for new high-tech exhibits. But soon a distress call from miniature cowboy Jed (Owen Wilson) brings Larry to D.C., where he must outsmart cranky ancient Egyptian Kahmunrah (Hank Azaria) if he wants to save his friends. With the help of spunky pilot Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams), Larry just might come through -- but not before the entire Smithsonian museum complex comes to chaotic, colorful life.
Is it any good?
Fans of the first Night at the Museum are sure to enjoy this fun, fast-paced sequel -- which has just as many impressive effects as the first and a slightly more upbeat (if not more original) story. Larry is no longer a sad-sack divorced dad but a successful businessman who just needs a little course correction to get back to doing what he really loves. And even though the basic premise -- museum exhibits come to life at night with the help of a magic Egyptian tablet -- is the same as in the first movie, moving the action to the Smithsonian means that everything takes place on an even grander scale. Here, it's not just dioramas and dinosaur skeletons that perk up when the sun goes down -- sculptures roam the hallways, paintings move (shades of Harry Potter), and airplanes soar.
Like the plot, Stiller's performance is pretty much identical to the first movie -- he's wry, dry, and expert at tossing off quips. Adams is a welcome addition as the perky, slang-talking Earhart (even though her romantic interest in Larry seems a bit forced); Saturday Night Live's Bill Hader is manically charming as a blustery General Custer; and Azaria turns Kahmunrah into a somewhat more peevish version of The Blue Raja, the dandified underdog he played in Mystery Men. Other fun cameos abound, but, frankly, kids probably won't notice or care -- they'll be too busy watching the living exhibits fight and frolic. Battle of the Smithsonian may not be destined for a museum itself, but it's plenty of fun for adventure-loving tweens.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the message behind all of the fancy effects. Why is it important to do what makes you happy?
How is Larry inspired to go after his dreams? How have his dreams changed since the first movie?
Families can also discuss the historical figures and events that the
movie touches on. How could you learn more about Amelia Earhart, the
Tuskegee Airmen, and other characters featured in the movie? Parents:
Channel kids' excitement about the movie into a library trip or online
history session.
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- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Funny, Amusing, and Silly
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM 2 is a movie-going guilty pleasure. It is so funny and enjoyable, but so stupid and nonsensical that you feel weird for liking it so much. The script is full of holes, and sentimental dialogue cuts action sequences neatly in half (resulting in uneven pacing). There are plenty of groan-worthy "believe-in-yourself" moments, and, let's face it...who believes that Ben Stiller can understand the Capuchin language? Still, there are many, many moments in the film that are so effortlessly appealing that you can't help but beam and laugh. Amy Adams is perfect as Amelia Earhart, with her gutsy persona, 1920-isms, and charismatic grin. There are also several clever moments to remember: a troop of bobblehead Einsteins, General Custer discussing comically flawed battle plans, Honest Abe Lincoln (from the Lincoln Memorial) delivering famous quotes left and right at all characters, and a tiny Octavius being dragged through the grass by a squirrel. This is a good family movie for kids who won't ask too many questons. Adults will be able to see right through the cheesy plot and its holes, but will doubtless be amused and charmed, as I was. Plus, there is little objectionable content. There are two "d**n"s, and a couple of scenes that could be scary for kids, but aren't violent. All the main characters (except the four main villains) are exceptional role models who promote teamwork, friendship, and doing what you believe in.
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AGE
hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Its the most funniest movie ive ever seen
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AGE
e.g. Perfect for older kids, but not for tweens
Ok, so this is a movie my 9-year-old loved, but...not me. Good historical information, however, I don't approve of the following:
1. Amelia Earhart slapping the main character
2. The monkey slapping scene where the main character slaps the monkies (same as 1st movie)
3. The characters saying "I'm going to kill you", "I'm going to kill your friends", "Kill them!", etc. and also the word "murder".
4. The long overly passionate kiss
5. And words like "stupid", dum-dum to name a couple.
6. The main character stealing the badge after man-handling the security guard.
What is the need to put all this in the movie? It would have been fine without it.
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AGE
One questionable line in an otherwise kid friendly family film
I have to say, though movie was enjoyable, I didn't find as much clever humor for the adults that I've seen in more recent family comedies. I think the violence could be concerning for younger kids who may not yet know the difference between fantasy and reality, but it was "over the top" enough for older children to know it was meant for excitement, rather than replication.
What stuck with me was a specific joke. There is a Scene when Ben Stiller gives Amy Adams an innocent hug while he has the Mini Owen Wilson in his shirt pocket. After the hug he pulls him out and apologizes for squishing him. Owen then makes a joke about rounding bases. I don’t want to say too much in case there are kids reading this, but it was completely out of place and had the kids asking us what he meant. I thought it was pretty inappropriate and out of place for the film. That just really stuck with me.
Other than that however, the movie will entertain the kids and there is plenty to look at during the whole film. For the parents, the jokes will seem forced at times and there certainly isn’t much new humor here, so if your kids aren’t dying to see it, it may be worthy of saving this one for the DVD release.
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AGE
some language
its good except for about 2 bad words
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AGE
Great Family Movie
My 3 year old daughter and 6 year old son laughed and talked about this movie all the way home and are still talking about it!
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AGE
Language is Crap
Kids shouldn't be so close to words like these. They aren't even close to what THIS freshman in high school hears, but still, 7 year old kids shouldn't be listening to this crap. But still a good movie.
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AGE
A Fun, Mindless Sequel
This movie is good, but not as good as the first movie. They spend too much time in the art building of the Smithsonian rather then other buildings. The violence is mild, and ofthen played for comic effect. In one scene, Kahmunrah disappears into a cloud of sand and dust.
A mild sexual innuendo from Amelia Earhart. Language is fairly mild.
A big problem with this movie is that the plot gets juimbled by the film's attempts to show lots of the Smithsonian exhibits coming to life, and then there's a big plot hole towards the end, where the characters say that no one will know about the Battle of the Smithsonian when they really make a mess in the museum; at least the first movie didn't skip that. Overall, the plot isn't as good as the first film, but its brainless fun as all the exhibits come to life with humor. 3 out of five. The film is OK for any age, and 6 and up should be OK.
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AGE
Sequels are mostly never as good as the origanal, but this one isn't too bad.
I'm so glad they had Amy Adams be Amelia Airheart (sorry I got the name wrong). This movie isn't as good as the first. Thier one scene that I didn't like where a evil pharo says "Oh God" angrily over and over and over again. The D word is said occassionaly, once by Amelia. You see butts from 3 different flying statues of Cupids. On the up-side, Sesame street and Star wars fans will love seeing Oscar the Grouch and Darth Vader in a little skit.
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AGE
The Musuem Strikes Back!
Not as good as the first Night at the Museum. This movie is great for any age. A great film that gives a lot of brief history about each wax character. Like the Tuskegee Airmen, I particularlt interested in them as I learned in 8th grade.
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy, adventures, misfits and underdogs |
| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox |
| Director: | Shawn Levy |
| Cast: | Amy Adams, Ben Stiller, Hank Azaria, Owen Wilson |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 105 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | May 22, 2009 |
| DVD release date: | December 1, 2009 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | mild action and brief language |
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