Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb Parent Guide

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.

About author

Kerry Bennett

Kerry Bennett is interested in media from both a journalist and parent perspective. Along with authoring articles for several family-oriented publications, she has written for Parent Previews for over 15 years. As a parent herself, she believes parents play a powerful role in teaching media literacy in their homes.