Review: Night at the Museum

I caught this movie today - a perfect, mindless flick for the Christmas vacation. Surprisingly, there were few children at the matinee. The basic story is Larry (Ben Stiller) has trouble holding a real job, for fear that it will interfere with his moneymaking schemes. His ex-wife convinces him that if he doesn't find a job, she'll have the custody agreement changed. So he gets a job as a night security guard at the Natural History Museum. What the retiring guards fail to tell him is that the museum "comes to life" at night. Larry's first indication that things are awry is when he catches the skeleton of the T Rex drinking from the water fountain!

The idea of inanimate objects having a "secret" life is one that has intrigued me since childhood. How many times have we contemplated our dollhouses, wondering if the figures inside continued to "live" when we left the room. And at the Natural History Museum - what intriguing possibilities, as Larry discovers. The tiny figures in the dioramas lead attacks on "Gigantor" - the monkeys wreak havoc - and Teddy Roosevelt harbors a crush on Sacagawea! The special effects are terrific, and the performances good. It was particularly nice to see Dick Van Dyke and Mickey Rooney back on the big screen - Robin Williams was palatable - and Owen Wilson a doll, as usual.

If you're looking for some lightweight holiday fun - a chance to catch your breath and relax after the onslaught of family - check out "Night at the Museum."