Published: January 15, 2007 08:22 am      

History comes alive in “Night at the Museum”

It’s not everyday that you will see the 26th President of the United States too nervous to ask out a famous Shoshone interpreter and guide. Nor will you see the remnants of a Tyrannosaurus Rex begging to play fetch with one of his own giant bones. However such sights can be seen in Ben Stiller’s latest movie “Night at the Museum,” a fun flick that incorporates history with wonder.

Stiller portrays Larry Daley, a down-on-his-luck kind of guy who can never seem to find the right job, apartment or way to make his son Nick (Jake Cherry) proud of him.

Larry bounces from job to job until he’s recommended to work as overnight security for New York City’s Museum of Natural History. The museum is downsizing, which translates to the retirement of the three current guards Cecil (Dick Van Dyke), Gus (Mickey Rooney) and Reginald (Bill Cobbs), leaving Larry to be lone security.

With a few suggestions and a guidebook, the three retire and leave the museum in Larry’s hands, who isn’t expecting much from the job. That is, until he realizes the T-Rex on display is missing.

Larry soon finds “Rexy” and discovers that he’s not the only living thing at the museum, noticing that everything from the African safari display to the caveman display have come to life and roam the halls of the museum at night.

With a little help from Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams), Larry discovers the secret as to why the historical displays come to life and what happens if they’re not back in place by sunrise.

As he learns more and more about the museum and its secret, Larry is eager to show his son. The only problem is, he isn’t the only one who knows what goes on in the building at night, as a trio of men attempt to rob the museum of its power, which leads to Larry and his newfound friends fighting to keep the secret — and exhibits — contained.

“Night at the Museum” takes comedy and history and fuses them together for a 108 minute trip through the ages. Ben Stiller is always great choice to play a loser/nerd and he fits perfectly into the role of Larry.

In addition to Stiller, Owen Wilson has a supporting role in the film as Jedadiah, a larger than life cowboy who is on permanent display in the miniatures section of the museum.

It’s good to see Stiller shying away from the toilet humor that made him famous. “Night at the Museum” is the perfect movie for both children and adults alike.

“Night at the Museum” is rated PG for mild action, language and brief rude humor. Runtime is 108 minutes.