Film Review: "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb" (2014).

"One final night to save the day" in Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb. This comedy adventure film directed by Shawn Levy, written by David Guion and Michael Handelman, and based on the characters created by Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant. It is a sequel to Battle of the Smithsonian and the third and final installment in the Night at the Museum film series. Larry spans the globe, uniting favorite and new characters while embarking on an epic quest to save the magic before it is gone forever.

In late January 2010, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian co-writer Thomas Lennon said: "I think it's a really outstanding idea to do Night at the Museum 3, in fact. I wonder if someone's not even already working on a script for that. I cannot confirm that for a fact, but I cannot deny it for a fact either... It might be in the works." In October 2011, Stiller confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that a sequel was in the "ideas stage." In February 2013 it was announced that Levy would return to direct, with a December 25, 2014 release date. In mid January 2014, the film's release date was moved up to December 19, 2014. Later the same month, Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Owen Wilson, Steve Coogan, Ricky Gervais, Patrick Gallagher, Rami Malek, Mizuo Peck, Brad Garrett, Dick Van Dyke, Mickey Rooney, and Bill Cobbs would return to reprise their roles. Rachael Harris, Dan Stevens, Rebel Wilson, Ben Kingsley, and Andrea Martin rounded out the film's cast. At the same time, with a budget of $127 million, principal photography commenced, and wrapped in May. Filming took place in London, England and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. In early May, it was announced that the film would be titled Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb. This film is dedicated to the memory of Williams and Rooney who both died before the film's release.

The film stars Stiller, Williams, Wilson, Coogan, Gervais, Harris, Stevens, Wilson, Malek, Gallagher, Peck, Kingsley, Garrett, Van Dyke, Rooney, Cobbs, and Martin. Thanks to the talented cast, the film has plenty of life. I'm not sure if anyone in this film actually acted alongside anyone else, or if the performances were all cut together in the editing suite. But it's Wilson who gives it zing. She's terrific - a show-stealing screen presence. As always, Williams is a master of comic timing. His grandiose, comical Roosevelt is equally insightful when he's spitting out insightful quotes. It's an interesting collection of some of the most interesting versions of figures throughout history and some of the most talented performers we have working today.

Like the sequel, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb doesn't have the originality of the first film and feels a little boring as such. This is one lazy movie, and little more than an obligatory response to a 2009 box office heap of garbage.

Simon says Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb receives:

Also, see my review for This Is Where I Leave You.