Another on that list of movies I’m a little surprised I’d never seen before–yet I’ve seen enough random clips on YouTube shorts at this point that I feel like I have.

(Side note: This also came back to mind since Ben Stiller wrote a good amount of Severance of all things.)

In any case, it’s a ridiculous and fun movie. The whole premise–that a magical artifact somehow animates all the exhibits at the museum every night–yet somehow no one has ever noticed this? Doesn’t make the list bit of sense. But that doesn’t make it any less fun!

Easter Island Head: HEY!
[pauses]
Easter Island Head: Dum-dum.
Larry: Yes?
Easter Island Head: You give me gum-gum!
Larry: I give you gum-gum?
Easter Island Head: You new Dum-dum. You give me gum-gum.
Larry: Gee, okay, you know what? I have no gum-gum. Sorry. And my name isn’t Dum-dum. My name’s Larry.
Easter Island Head: No, your name Dum-dum.
[some people are running away]
Easter Island Head: Oh, you in trouble, Dum-dum. You better run-run. From Attila the Hun-hun.
[Attila yells and chases Larry]
Easter Island Head: See you later, Dum-dum!

There are a lot of fun action scenes in the movie. Just don’t think about it all too hard and enjoy the ride. I especially loved the chaos of the dioramas of thousands of tiny men come to life and fighting one another. 😄

Jedediah: No problemo, Gigantor.
Larry: Um, my name’s Larry, first of all okay, Jed? See, I call you Jed, I don’t call you tiny, right?
Jedediah: What’s that supposed to mean?
Larry: Hey teeny, how does that sound?
Jedediah: I… I don’t like it. It hurts my feelings.
Larry: Okay, well Gigantor makes me feel like some sort of freak.
Octavius: I don’t. I just call you Larry.
Larry: Don’t be a kiss-ass.

The casting in this movie is a big strength! Dick Van Dyke was a lot of fun as old former night watchman Cecil. Robin Williams (RIP :sad:) is always a delight and his Teddy Roosevelt was no exception. Rami Malek is certainly no Mr. Robot, but he’s got a perfect presence as Ahkmenrah. And Steve Coogan as Octavius and Owen Wilson’s Jedediah were hilarious (especially since the latter was originally a minor cameo).

And you know? Apparently ‘The real-life American Museum of Natural History had 20% more visitors during the holiday season following this movie’s opening.’ So good on them!

Now the sequels? No idea where they go from here, but you know what? Worth a try!