Night at the Museum

Release Date: December 22, 2006

Watch Date: April 2 – April 3, 2023

 

    One thing most people know about me is that I love history. Now, normally, the history I love is around the time of the ancient Greeks or the Tudor period, but really if it’s old news, I want to learn all I can about it. So a film where history literally comes to life? That’s a dream come true. A film that heavily features Robin Williams? Bob was also immediately on board. Especially since this was one of the rare Robin Williams films he’d never seen before, in an astounding change of pace. I think it’s one of his greatest, so how it had managed to escape Bob’s notice I have no idea.

    The setting of this movie, while extremely interesting and pulled off very well, is merely a backdrop for a story about a man who is trying to prove himself to be a good father – which is a message I can get behind. The relationship between Nicky and Larry is something that is instantly relatable to anyone with a kid, and especially to anyone who’s experienced a strained relationship with a parent due to a divorce. Now, does every father go out and get a job where a magical tablet makes a museum come to life? I have to say it’s probably only in extremely rare cases where that occurs. But the focus on Nicky and Larry is not taken away by any romance, which the movie clearly considered doing but decided at some point in the writing process to push aside. It’s still there, but barely, and you only notice it to wonder why they aren’t pursuing it more since it was clearly meant to be pursued at some point.

    I think the historical figures are done justice, and I love the way they interact with each other. Though Robin Williams as Teddy Roosevelt steals the show, Jedidiah and Octavius come a close second. I wish there was a little bit more context given to each character, but then it would be a documentary, not a film, but I like documentaries so I wouldn’t be mad. I always think this film takes place over the span of a month, but it’s really less than three days, so the amount of research he’s shown to do is bare minimum anyways, so he doesn’t know enough to expand on the historical figures he’s interacting with anyways.

    This is, honestly, a great way to get people interested in history. If you liked Atilla the Hun, look him up. Learn more about him. If you liked Sacagawea, research her. Take the time and learn about the characters you were interested in on your own. Take an opportunity handed to you to learn. I say this all knowing I sound preachy, but I like history and I like learning, and if this gets more people off to their own local museum in the hopes of capturing a similar sense of magic…well then I’m all for it.

    This is a strong start to what will become a trilogy, and eventually Robin Williams’ final film, and while I only ever start this series with a bit of trepidation knowing that I will eventually have to get to the point where I have to say goodbye to one of the all time greats, I always find the beginning extra sweet for the absolute joy the man brought to every project he ever participated in. ‘Night at the Museum’ is no different, and it remains one of my all time favorite films.