Just a little bit of inappropriate stuff, but the violence is kept slapstick. Funny, and good for kids around the double digits.
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Fun, fast-paced sequel is more upbeat than the original.
Themes in this movie include: friendship
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 7 and Up
The good stuff
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Educational value:
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Role models:
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Sexy stuff:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian was written by Betsy Bozdech
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.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- 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.
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
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.
Movie Details
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox, Director: Shawn Levy
Run time: 105 minutes
Theatrical release: 5/22/2009, DVD release: 12/1/2009
MPAA Rating: PG for mild action and brief language
Run time: 105 minutes
Theatrical release: 5/22/2009, DVD release: 12/1/2009
MPAA Rating: PG for mild action and brief language
Our Members Say
See all 77 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- My highlights are:
- Educational
Great fun for 9+
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive consumerism
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Better than the first!!
My concerns are the heavy mentioning of Wal-Mart at the beginning, and in one scene, Larry is in a painting where a man is kissing a woman, and to hide from some foes, Larry goes into the painting and pretends to be the guy kissing the girl. Other than that, nothing else is wrong. My highlights are how Amelia Earhart (played by Amy Adams) shows some strong independence. It is very fun for the family! What was cool is that Larry is so comfortable and used to the museum coming alive, so it was fun to see Larry be able to understand what the Hun was saying, and understand Dexter.
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive consumerism
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams) steals the show!
I love this movie, but the ending wasn't great. Amelia definitally shows that girls cn do anything boys can do. Some little kids could get scared. Walmart is a very big deal in the beginning of the movie.
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
The Ending ruined everything
I think it would've been a great movie if it wasn't for the ending. The ending just ruined the whole movie. THey shouldn't have let everybody else in the museum at night.
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Great for adults and kids!
Night at the Museum 2 is a great movie with heart. A few uses of d**m, and a few kisses, but nothing too bad. It's hillarious and also filled with action. Kids under seven may be scared of the part where you see the creatures come from the underworld, but it's a quick scene and there is not much violence. Jed, the little guy, is so funny in the movie. 67 times better than the first!! Overall, it's a story about friendship and teamwork. Great family movie to rent!
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
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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I rate this title iffy for age 6 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Negative role models
great movie
It's a great movie with teamwork!
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
fun to watch.
I enjoyed the movie.
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
A fun family flick
Mild language - a few uses of d***. Full of action. I could not stop laughing the first time I saw it - so, great for adults as well, but I have to admit it wasn't as funny for me the second time I rented it. Lots of creative sight gags and things that keep the movie full of action and playful twists. Imaginative CGI work.
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
not a great movie, but the kids would like it ok...RENT!
I'm sure kids would like this movie well enough. I found it to be funny in parts, but I got those from the trailer anyways. I'm glad I didn't buy it as I was planning on, it's just not that good. I'm sure my kids would like it well enough however I limit their movie/tv time and I don't think this movie is "quality" enough to take up their time!
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
Fun for the Whole Family, but Nothing Else.
This is a good movie, but nothing hugely special. I laughed a couple of times and PARENTS, there's nothing really to worry about here. there's a lot of action but no gore. Thanks for reading - Movie Man.
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
Fun for the Whole Family, but Nothing Else.
This is a good movie, but nothing hugely special. I laughed a couple of times and PARENTS, there's nothing really to worry about here. there's a lot of action but no gore. Thanks for reading - Movie Man.
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
good for the family
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
this movie is probably not as good as the first one in terms of plot management and depth but it gets by in both, the acting is good. the laughs are twice as funny as night the museum 1 and better yet there,s more of them, a nicely done movie all in all but the plot is bad in this one its sort of a repeat of number one but the laughs make up for the bad plot. the new characters are great alot more of them and even more when they go to the museum of air and space.a good watch
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I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
Wonderful family movie!
Loved this movie! It was even better than the first one! Loved the history, the characters, and it was just plain hilarious. :)
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
good and funny for family 9 and over
good movie for family and kids 9 and over better then first
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Ok.
Hee hee. Funny, although Ben Stiller got a little stone-faced. Nothing really bad, but consider the fact that there is naked statues that display their private parts and some kissing.Its really not TOO violent or scary but if you don't want your child too see fights, altough the fights are cartoonish, mybe not take him to see this.
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
Not as good as the first!!!
I expected a lot of funny scenes (there were some funny scenes, just not as many as I expected). This movie is still good ,but it is not quite as good as the first movie. The violence is comical, but there is a battle that may scare children 6 and under. There are only one or two kisses and mild flirting. The language isn't bad except for one bad word. I gave this movie a 3 out of 4 stars. I think kids ages 7+ will like this movie. I recommend this movie to anyone who has seen and/or loved the first movie or to anyone who is a fan of the cast in this movie.
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
The 1st one is better
The first one is better because it has a little less language, and the story is better.
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
boring
..........
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