Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb parents guide

Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb Parent Guide

Best of all, this movie carries on with the notion that the world is full of things to learn - and you never know what you might discover at a museum.

Overall B-

When it looks like there might be an end to the magic that brings the NYC museum collection to life, security guard Larry (Ben Stiller) heads to the British Museum in London hoping to learn how to preserve the power of the Egyptian tablet.

Release date December 19, 2014

Violence B-
Sexual Content B-
Profanity B
Substance Use A

Why is Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb rated PG? The MPAA rated Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb PG for mild action, some rude humor and brief language.

Run Time: 98 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

Director Shawn Levy hit upon an intriguing project with the 2006 movie Night at the Museum. Who wouldn’t be totally amazed by exhibits that came to life as soon as the sun went down? The production may have done more to rekindle an interest in museums than any ad campaign could ever hope to achieve. So far the movie has grossed over $574 million at the global box office and contributed to the huge popularity of a sleepover program at the facility. The sequel Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian hauled in over $413 million worldwide. It seems a third film about Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) was inevitable.

In this story the single dad has returned to his security job at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. But he’s also been placed in charge of nighttime operations. To help raise interest in the new planetarium, he’s planned a spectacular evening show with special effects. Unbeknownst to the museum’s director Dr. McPhee (Ricky Gervais), the special effects are actually the exhibits come to life. However, after a spectacular beginning, things start to go terribly wrong and Ahkmenrah (Rami Malek) discovers his golden tablet (which brings everyone to life) is deteriorating.

To resolve the problem before everyone permanently turns back in to wax and plastic, Larry and his son Nick (Skyler Gisondo) make an emergency trip to the British Museum of Natural History with Ahkmenrah and the magical tablet. Of course, the franchise’s favorite characters manage to sneak a ride across the pond as well. When Larry uncrates the Egyptian prince and his tablet, he finds Attila the Hun (Patrick Gallagher), Sacajawea (Mizuo Peck), Dexter the monkey (Crystal the Monkey), Jedediah (Owen Wilson), Octavius (Steve Coogan) and Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams). There’s a new Neanderthal in the box too (also played by Ben Stiller).

The group’s arrival at the British Museum allows for the introduction of several new characters including Sir Lancelot (Dan Stevens) and Tilly, the affection-starved security guard (Rebel Wilson). With any luck, their adventures in London will also spark a renewed interest in that city’s exhibitions.

The action doesn’t differ dramatically from the first two movies, with lots of silly slapstick and mad capers. The fascination with monkey urination continues and there are several mildly suggestive comments from the Roman soldier Octavius who has a pronounced interest in the blue-eyed Lancelot. The story ends with a kiss that only a die-hard animal lover wouldn’t find a little creepy or disgusting.

However the franchise’s finale wraps up with a fond farewell to the menagerie of historical characters we’ve come to know. And in a touching scene between Larry and Teddy Roosevelt, who mounts his horse for the last time, the former U.S. President tells his friend it’s time to let him go. The comment becomes a tribute to one of movie’s two comic geniuses that passed away this year (the other is Mickey Rooney who played one of the older security guards). But maybe best of all, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb carries on with the notion that the world is full of things to learn—and you never know what you might discover at a museum.

Directed by Shawn Levy . Starring Robin Williams, Dan Stevens, Ben Stiller, Rebel Wilson. Running time: 98 minutes. Theatrical release December 19, 2014. Updated

Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
Rating & Content Info

Why is Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb rated PG? Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb is rated PG by the MPAA for mild action, some rude humor and brief language.

Violence: A man attacks a boy. Animals run wild at a benefit dinner. Characters start things on fire. A figure shoots arrows. A man shocks himself on the head with a defibrillator. A character uses a defibrillator to kill an aggressive beast. Characters try to out run flowing lava. A man uses his sword to fight off an attacker. A man is electrocuted. Another character is hit on the head with a hammer. A man threatens others with a weapon.

Sexual Content: A male character makes several mildly suggestive comments about other men. A female security guard flirts with a couple of men. A man and monkey kiss on the mouth.

Language: The script contains a handful of mild profanities and some name-calling.

Alcohol / Drug Use: None noted.

Other: A monkey urinates on two men. Several other jokes about defecation and urination are included.

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Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb Parents' Guide

Learn more about The British Museum.

Larry’s son Nick is getting ready to graduate and wants to take a year off from school. Why does Nick seem more interested in hanging out with Sir Lancelot than his dad? Why does Larry tell Laa the Neanderthal not to imitate him when it comes be being a parent? What other father/son relationships are depicted in this movie?

How do you feel about ancient artifacts being recovered and put into museums? Should they be left where they are found or is there benefits of having them exhibited for more people to see?

Note: Robin Williams, who appears as Teddy Roosevelt in this film, died before it released in theaters. Learn more the comedian here.

Mickey Rooney who plays one of the older security guards also died this year. Learn more about his life and career.

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb movie is March 10, 2015. Here are some details…

Home Video Notes: Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
Release Date: 10 March 2015
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb releases to home video (Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy) with the following special features:
- Seven Deleted and Extended Scenes
- Improv, Absurdity and Cracking Up - The Comedy of Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
- Two Galleries
- The Theory of Relativity
- Becoming Laaa
- A Day in the Afterlife
- The Home of History: Behind the Scenes of The British Museum
- Fight at the Museum
- Creating Visual Effects
- Audio Commentary by Shawn Levy

Related home video titles:

This movie is the third in a franchise. The first two in the series are Night At the Museum and Night At the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.

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