Larry Daly (Stiller) was the former night security guard for the Museum of Natural History; a place where the exhibits literally come to life after dark. Larry moved on to start his own company, "Daly Designs," where he invented the glow-in-the-dark flashlight. He still visits his old stomping grounds occasionally but is generally caught up in marketing his inventions. Larry returns to the museum to find the old wax exhibits and marble statutes being replaced by new interactive models. Unable to stop the Board of Directors, Larry learns they will be sent to storage at the Federal Archive, under the Smithsonian's grounds. Ahkmenrah's tablet, which brings the inanimate objects to life, is unexpectedly taken on the trip to the Smithsonian. Larry tasks himself with finding the tablet and returning his old friends back home.
The villain of this new adventure is Ahkmenrah's older brother Kahmunrah (Hank Azaria; "Run Fatboy, Run"), who was passed over for pharaoh and has a serious grudge about it. Seeking to take the tablet for his own diabolical purposes, Larry must save his historical friends while keeping the tablet from Ahkmenrah’s clutches. Needless to say, the action is fun and fast-paced with an undercurrent of danger. Ahkmenrah enlists the assistance of Ivan the Terrible, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Al Capone to capture Larry. Each of these supporting performances bring different humor, whether its the dry and slightly mad Ivan or the overcompensating Napoleon. Azaria is concurrently threatening and humorous as the Egyptian with a chip on his shoulder.
There are so many worthwhile and enjoyable performances in the movie, it is hard to single each one out. Bill Hader ("Forgetting Sarah Marshall") gives the audience a pitch-perfect General Custer, mixing bravado and slow-mindedness successfully together. Stiller works his funny straight man magic, stammering his way off the skilled cues served to him by the plethora of comedians. But the real stand-out performance belongs to the ever-likeable Adams as high-flyer Earhart. Adams is more plucky than "Enchanted" perky as Earhart. Adams weaves early 20th century slang in and out of her dialogue. An enchanting character, Larry and the audience are instantly infatuated by her energy and self-confidence. She serves as Larry's overeager buddy on his adventure while also serving as a potential romantic interest.
There is so much else I wish I could add about this film; it is chock full of entertaining performances and hilarious situations. Instead, I will allow you to enjoy how the story unfolds yourself. The wonderful thing about these "Museum" movies are that people of all ages can see them together and possibly learn something in the process. The only negative I can think of mentioning is the loss of intensity in the last action scene, as it degenerates into a comedic free-for-all. But the movie is soon back and track to a touching and satisfying conclusion. I heartily recommend "Night at the Museum II" as a worthy successor to the original.
Rated PG for mild action and brief language.
