25 July,2009 08:52 AM IST | | Tushar Joshi
What's it about: Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) is back. This time around he isn't an ordinary night guard at the museum but the owner of multi-utility franchise.
Bidding goodbye to his friends at the museum, Larry decides to start a new life that has no drama and surprises in store. However, letting go isn't easy for him when he finds out his good friends Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams) and Jedediah the cowboy (Owen Wilson) are being shipped to the Smithsonian museum.
Now its upto Daley and his team to stop the evil king and send him back to his ancient times.
What's hot: There are plenty of gags and acts that come to life as the movie unfolds. Right from the famous thinker statue to Abraham Lincoln everyone participates in Daley's bid to fight off the evil Kahmunra.
Amy Adams as Amelia Earhart the first woman pilot to fly across the Atlantic is superb. She's easily the most vivacious character in an otherwise ensemble of lifeless slapstick acts.
The cupids rendering a soulful, rather contemporary version of 'more than a woman' for Daley and Amelia stands out as a smart act. Despite being stuck in an hourglass for most of the film, Owen Wilson is likeable and earnest as the cowboy who wants to conquer the world.
What's not: Ben Stiller sleepwalks through the entire film.u00a0 In fact, replace Ben with any other actor and you still would have had the same opinion of the experience.
Stiller who has a remarkable on screen appeal and energy seems overburdened with the prospect of recreating the magic of the first.
After the makers have already set the premise of antiques coming to life at night, they don't have much to do this time around.
There's a scene with Stiller engaging in a slap flight with two exotic monkeys, which makes you cringe wondering if this is what's left of the actor. Hank Azaria's accent as the Egyptian ruler is as annoying as the motive of this film to outdo its predecessor.
What to do: A case of too many cooks spoiling the broth, the film ends up looking more of a fish market and less of an adventure. Stiller's energy-lacking performance sums up every exhibit the movie has to offer.
Night at the museum 2
U/ fantasy
Dir: Shawn Levy
Cast: Ben Stiller, Amy Adams, Owen Wilson, Robin Williams, Hank Azariau00a0
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Night at the museum 2u00a0At a theatre near you
Inox Nariman Pt (7, 9.15, 11.30 pm)
Metro Big (6.45, 8.30, 10.50 pm)
PVR Parel (2.50, 6.55, 8.25, 11 pm)
Fun (10.35 am, 3, 8.15 pm)
Fame Big (6.30, 10.45 pm), Fame Malad (6.45, 8.30, 10.50 pm)
