Plot
A newly recruited night security guard at the Museum of Natural History discovers that an ancient curse causes the animals and exhibits on display to come to life and wreak havoc.

Release Year: 2006

Rating: 6.3/10 (97,570 voted)

Critic's Score: 48/100

Director: Shawn Levy

Stars: Ben Stiller, Carla Gugino, Ricky Gervais

Storyline
In New York, unemployed and divorced Larry Daley is a complete loser. His son Nick is very disappointed with his father who is going to be evicted. Larry accepts the job of night watchman in the Museum of Natural History and takes the place of three old security guards that have just retired in order to raise some money and pay his bills. On his first shift, Larry soon realizes that everything at the museum is not as it seems as the statues begin to come to life after the sun sets. The Museum transforms into complete chaos with the inexperienced Larry in charge as he learns that an old Egyptian stone that came to the Museum in 1950 brings these statues to life until dawn. When Larry brings his son to spend a night with him, the three old guards break into the Museum to try to steal the magical stone. Larry organizes all the historic characters to help him stop the criminals and save the museum.

Writers: Robert Ben Garant, Thomas Lennon

Cast:
Ben Stiller - Larry Daley
Carla Gugino - Rebecca
Dick Van Dyke - Cecil
Mickey Rooney - Gus
Bill Cobbs - Reginald
Jake Cherry - Nick Daley
Ricky Gervais - Dr. McPhee
Robin Williams - Teddy Roosevelt
Kim Raver - Erica Daley
Patrick Gallagher - Attila The Hun
Rami Malek - Ahkmenrah
Pierfrancesco Favino - Christopher Columbus
Charles Q. Murphy - Taxi Driver (as Charlie Murphy)
Steve Coogan - Octavius
Mizuo Peck - Sacajawea

Taglines: Where History Comes To Life

Release Date: 22 December 2006

Filming Locations: American Museum of Natural History - Central Park West and 79th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office Details

Budget: $110,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend: $42,212,651 (USA) (24 December 2006)

Gross: $574,480,841 (Worldwide) (15 March 2009)

Runtime: 108 min

Trivia:
Ben Stiller watched the first two "Mission: Impossible" films in order to run the way his long-time friend 'Tom Cruise did.

Goofs:
Continuity: When Larry sets Jed and Octavius down on the bench, they are closer together in the next shot.

Quotes:
[first lines]
Taxi Driver: [as Larry walks into the street] Hey, watch it!

Another movie let-down by bad marketing.

Rating: 8/10

I came into this movie thinking that it would suck AND disliking Ben Stiller very much. But I thought, hey, free tickets, Monday night, how bad could it be? Well, it wasn't. It was much funnier and had a much better script than I had anticipated. Stiller, famous for being *in* funny situations and not making them, actually acted like a comic character, something of a cross between Jim Carrey and Adam Sandler. Usuaully he's a passive element, but here he propelled the comedy further. Great job. Also, a fantastic group of supporting characters like Gus, Mr. McPhee and Atilla the Hun. The only problem I really had was the son, who was much too perfect and pacific to be of any interest, and was, at most times, quite annoying.

So all of you nay-sayers who judge the film by its previews, tut-tut to you. It's funny, it's fast, and wastes no time with kicking it into high gear. Great special effects, especially the T-Rex. Also, with the poor previews, it leaves you to enjoy the many delightful small twists and turns that keep the movie fresh.

So take off that cloak of prejudice and enjoy, it won't disappoint.

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