Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again
Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again is an animated sequel to the popular franchise starring Ben Stiller. The characters are the same, as is the type of adventures the characters face. Though the violence and peril are cartoonish, younger viewers could be scared, especially by the evil characters, one of whom shoots fire from his eyes. Jokes and goofy asides lighten the mood. But one beloved figure appears to die (he's alive), and there are fights, falls, threatening creatures, explosions, crashes, chases, near-drownings, swords, mummies, and an army of statue-like figures. Teenager Nick (voiced by Joshua Bassett) has taken over the night guard position from his dad, who hopes Nick will gain some much-needed confidence. He learns that it pays to try new things and that teamwork relies on individual strengths. There's also some crushing and flirting between Nick and a classmate. The museum gang, diverse in ethnicities, nationalities, and historical periods, supports and makes sacrifices for one another. Language includes a laugh at the word "boobie" and barbs such as "idiot," "jerk," and "stupid."
What's the Story?
In NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: KAHMUNRAH RISES AGAIN, night guard Larry Daley (voiced by Zachary Levi) is leaving New York for a job at a Tokyo museum. The museum figures who come alive after sundown suggest he appoint his son, Nick (Joshua Basett), to replace him. Nick is an insecure 18-year-old who doesn't want the job, but his parents convince him it'll be good for him. On his very first night, Nick has to go deep into the basement he's always been afraid of to lock a door. When he does an incomplete job, the evil spirit of Egyptian ruler Kahmunrah (voiced by Joseph Kamal) emerges to wreak havoc in his pursuit of world domination. He steals the magic tablet that gives the museum figures their waking lives, and he'll lead the group into peril in ancient Egypt. Will they stop his evil plans and make it back to the museum by sunrise?
Is It Any Good?
It's impossible not to miss the actors of the original series while watching this animated sequel. The cartoon characters of Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again just can't compare, and it feels like the creators tried to compensate by blasting the animated action. There are plenty of funny one-liners still, especially from the always long-winded Teddy Roosevelt and valiant-yet-humorless Joan of Arc. It's cute, not to mention a historical wake-up call, when Joan and Sacagawea remind Nick they were his age or younger when they led armies and explorers. The character humor keeps the mood light, and younger audiences might be interested in the teen angst in the film's introduction.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again differs from the previous live-action installments in the franchise. Which do you like better, and why?
What does Nick learn about the value of teamwork? Which characters teach him the most, and why?
Do you recognize the characters the museum figures represent? Where could you go for more information on, say, Joan of Arc, Teddy Roosevelt, Sacagawea, or the Easter Island heads?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: December 9, 2022
- Cast: Joshua Bassett, Thomas Lennon, Alice Isaaz
- Director: Matt Danner
- Studio: Disney+
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Character Strengths: Courage, Teamwork
- Run time: 77 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: action/peril and some mild rude humor
- Last updated: December 9, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
Night at the Museum
Cute adventure; OK for tweens, but a little scary for kids.
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Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Fun, fast-paced sequel is more upbeat than the original.
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Hercules
Lighthearted, but scary stuff is too much for littlest kids.
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The Emperor's New Groove
More fun, goofy cartoon antics than Disney polish.
For kids who love history
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
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