Product Description

Ben Stiller, Dick Van Dyke, Mickey Rooney, Robin Williams, Ricky Gervais, Steve CooganDirector: Shawn Levy

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7159 in DVD
• Brand: Blu-ray Kids & Family
• Released on: 2007-04-02
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .26 pounds
• Running time: 104 minutes

Synopsis
Ben Stiller plays Larry Daley, a down-on-his-luck divorced father in this family-friendly tale directed by Shawn Levy (JUST MARRIED, CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN). Larry has lots of ideas and dreams, but none of them come to fruition. In an attempt to prove his stability to his ex-wife (Kim Raver) and his son, Nicky (Jake Cherry), Larry accepts a job as a night guard at the Museum of Natural History. But the elderly night guards who hire him (played by entertainment legends Mickey Rooney, Dick Van Dyke, and Bill Cobbs) fail to mention one crucial detail: when the museum is closed, everything inside comes to life. From Attila the Hun to miniature Roman soldiers, African mammals to Neanderthal men, and Egyptian mummies to dinosaur skeletons, the museum teems with lively activity. Now it’s Larry’s job to control the mayhem and show his son that he is, indeed, a great man after all. There might be a moral to this story, which is based on the book of the same name by Milan Trenc, but the screenplay and action remain light and breezy. Stiller is perfect as Larry, particularly in scenes with a sneaky monkey who repeatedly gets the better of him. Brief appearances by Anne Meara (Stiller’s real-life mother) and Paul Rudd add to the fun. Carla Gugino plays a museum docent, Ricky Gervais portrays the incomprehensible museum director, and Robin Williams moonlights as a wax figure of Teddy Roosevelt that comes to life. Owen Wilson and Steve Coogan are particularly amusing as a bickering miniature cowboy and a Roman soldier.

Customer Reviews

Night in with a great DVD
I avoided this at the cinema because it had Ben Stiller and Ricky Gervais in it - I'm kicking myself for missing out on seeing it first on the big screen! Still, Blu-ray discs are made for films like these.

Night at the Museum is a film that children will love and - although this is said incorrectly about many films - adults will love it just as much.

There are some big names in the cast and an even bigger special effects budget. Robin Williams tries as always to steal the show, but Ben Stiller proves that he is a far better and likeable actor than I previously thought. You genuinely want him to do well and prove to his young son that he isn't a failure. The time the museum exhibits come to life for the first time is one of the best fantasy sequences I have ever seen. I haven't laughed out loud so much at a comedy film for ages, and can see that in years to come, people are going to look back at this film and regard it as a classic.

Perfect Family Entertainment
I only saw this film recently and straight away I was bowled over by its many qualities. Ben Stiller, playing frustrated inventor Larry Daley, is really on form as the central character and father to Nicky. It seems that everything in life is against Larry Daley as the film starts with a parking ticket and missing his son's school event. I must admit that the introductory section of the film does drag a little, but the fun really kicks off when Larry goes to the museum about a job, which he desperately needs. Little does Larry know what happens at night within the walls of the museum.

You will find a lot of stars in this film, some neatly tucked away with minor roles, but they still shine. Robin Williams is great playing a waxwork version of President Teddy Roosevelt. Whereas most films with genius Robin Williams in them seem over the top and sickly sweet, in Night At The Museum Robin Williams plays things just right making his role a superb cameo.

The CGI is first class and brings everything to life perfectly. Watch out for the T-Rex and the neat twist to it's character, the dioramas with the little people all at war with everything and the Egyptian area full of mystery and magic. Everyone's favourite character though is Dexter, a cheeky monkey, who often steals the show, much to Larry's annoyance - "There's a storm coming!" One of my favourite scenes of the film involves monkey slapping.

The picture on the Blu-ray version is 1080p. On a large LCD television it really looks stunning with vibrant colours and a nice sharp image. One thing I was disappointed about are the limited special features. These days I would expect more than just a trailer and commentary. Maybe they are saving it for the Blu-ray special edition??

So, if you want a perfect evening's entertainment look no further. This is great fun for all the family.

At night history comes alive
Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) a dreamer, an entrepreneur and an inventor is in-between income opportunities again. This would o.k. except ex-etux (Kim Raver) is under the impression that he is a drifter and a negative influence on their son. Realizing she may be right it is off to serfdom. After a frantic one day search he lands a position as a night guard at the museum. He is handed instructions and told not to let anything in "or out."

Getting to the point takes some time in this movie but it is necessary as we are watching a balance between a serious parent child exchange and an almost, o.k. a slapstick quasi animated movie. It is difficult to rate the movie with any meaning as you have to be predisposed to Ben Stiller type of humor or it will be just down right dumb and dull formula. However for those that are predisposed this is one of his best and mostly improved performances.

The supporting cast and adds greatly to the fun. Who would ever in a million years expect that maniacal smirk on Dick Van Dyke's face? The monkey was in great form and had a good sense of aim. Robin Williams that usually ruins a film with over acting was subdued enough to let his wax character take front stage.

Everyone went out of the way to make sure the actors and one-liners took precedence over the back-drop and sets, however you do not need HD formatted DVD's to appreciate that you never once think they are props. However a 1080p display helps.

For me one of the highlight is finding out the nature of the Tyrannosaurus Rex and the scene with his dyno toe on the water fountain.