Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A night security guard saves his miniature friends from a lisping pharaoh with the help of Amelia Earhart and a giant Abraham Lincoln statue… because why not?

🍿 Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Museum Upgrade and Departure

Larry Daley, now a successful inventor, returns to the Museum of Natural History to find it’s undergoing renovations. Most of the exhibits are being moved to the Smithsonian Institution’s Federal Archives in Washington D.C. Larry’s friends, including Jedediah and Octavius, are among those being relocated, leaving Larry feeling disconnected and nostalgic.

The Smithsonian Comes Alive

After the exhibits are moved, Larry receives a distress call from Jedediah. Dexter the monkey has taken the Tablet of Ahkmenrah to the Smithsonian, causing the exhibits there to come alive. An evil Egyptian pharaoh, Kahmunrah, Ahkmenrah’s brother, seeks to use the tablet to open a gateway to the underworld and conquer the world. Larry travels to Washington D.C. to rescue his friends and stop Kahmunrah.

Allies and Battles

In the Smithsonian, Larry teams up with Amelia Earhart, who is brought to life by the tablet. They navigate through the museum’s various exhibits, encountering historical figures and artifacts, both good and evil. They face challenges from Kahmunrah’s allies, including Napoleon, Ivan the Terrible, and Al Capone. The film features various battles and chases as Larry and Amelia try to secure the tablet and prevent Kahmunrah from achieving his goals.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Larry Daley (Ben Stiller): A former night security guard turned successful inventor who must save his museum friends when they are threatened at the Smithsonian.
• Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams): A spirited and adventurous aviator exhibit who joins Larry to fight Kahmunrah and develops a romantic interest in him.
• Kahmunrah (Hank Azaria): The evil Egyptian pharaoh who seeks to use the tablet to conquer the world with an army from the underworld.
• Jedediah (Owen Wilson): A miniature cowboy exhibit and friend of Larry’s who is captured, prompting Larry to embark on his adventure.
• Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams): A statue of the 26th president of the United States who aids Larry throughout the movie.
• Octavius (Steve Coogan): A miniature Roman Emperor who is Jedediah’s friend.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Kahmunrah: “What is that? What is that? What does it mean? I don’t know… you’ve lost me. Is that your breathing? Because I can’t hear myself think.” – Kahmunrah says this to Darth Vader, mocking his hand gesture and heavy breathing.
• Kahmunrah: “Let me tell you kindly, just simplify. There’s too much going on! You’re not evil, you’re asthmatic, and what’s with the cape? Are we going to the opera? I don’t think so. Goodbye!” – Kahmunrah continues to insult Darth Vader before dismissing him from his villainous alliance.
• Amelia Earhart: “Adventure is a great thing, but it shouldn’t be the only thing.” – Amelia tells Larry about finding the balance between adventure and a stable life.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $150,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $177,243,721
• Worldwide Gross: $413,106,170

💥 Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went in with low expectations, but I ended up having a blast. The first movie was fun, but this one just throws everything at the wall. Hank Azaria as Kahmunrah was hilarious, and Amy Adams was perfectly cast as Amelia Earhart. It’s pure silliness, but that’s what I wanted. The scene where they jump into the V-J Day photo was awesome, and it made me laugh like a kid again. It is not an award-winning movie, but who cares?

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families with children”
  • “Fans of Ben Stiller comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in history and museums”
  • “Those who enjoyed the first Night at the Museum movie”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild action violence”
  • “Some scary images (mummies and underworld scenes)”
  • “Brief suggestive humor”

Professional Reviews

• Roger Ebert: “Though visually ambitious, ‘Night at the Museum 2’ lacks the heart of its predecessor. The jokes feel forced, and the constant barrage of special effects becomes exhausting, overshadowing the story and characters.
• A.O. Scott: “This sequel doubles down on everything that made the first film tolerable – the historical cameos, the frenetic pacing – but somehow manages to be less charming. A decent distraction for kids, but adults may find it tiresome.
• Claudia Puig: “‘Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian’ offers impressive visuals and a few genuinely funny moments, especially thanks to Hank Azaria’s performance. However, the convoluted plot and underdeveloped characters prevent it from reaching its full potential.

Audience Reactions

The visual effects are stunning, especially the scenes with the paintings coming to life.: Viewers generally appreciated the creativity and spectacle of the special effects.

Hank Azaria’s performance as Kahmunrah is a standout, bringing a lot of humor to the film.: Many agreed that Azaria’s comedic timing and voice acting were highlights.

Amy Adams shines as Amelia Earhart, adding charm and wit to the story.: Adams’ portrayal of the famous aviator was well-received, with viewers praising her energy.

Overall Consensus: While not as tightly written as the first, ‘Night at the Museum 2’ offers plenty of visual spectacle and comedic moments, making it a decent family-friendly adventure, especially for younger viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Shawn Levy sought the Smithsonian Institution’s support early in production. The Smithsonian’s curators offered valuable insights into the historical characters portrayed in the film.”
• “During the production of the Darth Vader cameo, a LucasFilm employee was present to ensure Vader’s actions and behavior were consistent with the character’s established traits.”
• “Additional humor was added to the German version of the film with Albert Einstein’s voice dubbed by Jean Pütz, a well-known science journalist and TV host.”

🖥️ How to Watch Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian?

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for cable and streaming options. You may also find it on Disney+, depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, you might like these similar films:

• Night at the Museum (2006): The original film that started the franchise, offering a similar blend of fantasy, comedy, and historical figures coming to life.
• Jumanji (1995): A classic adventure film where a board game brings jungle dangers to life, creating a chaotic and exciting experience.
• The Mummy (1999): Features ancient Egyptian mythology and a resurrected mummy causing mayhem, blending action, adventure, and humor.
• Pixels (2015): Modern comedy where classic video game characters invade the real world, requiring a team to stop them, similar to historical figures coming to life.
• Army of Darkness (1992): Cult classic where a man is transported to the Middle Ages and battles the undead, blending horror, comedy, and fantasy elements.

🛒 Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian Related Products

• Night at the Museum Trilogy [Blu-ray]: Complete your collection with all three Night at the Museum movies in high-definition Blu-ray format. Includes special features and behind-the-scenes content.
• Night at the Museum Movie Poster: Officially licensed Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian movie poster. Perfect for decorating a home theater or a kid’s room.
• Kahmunrah Action Figure: Highly detailed Kahmunrah action figure. Features multiple points of articulation and movie-accurate accessories.
• Night at the Museum Board Game: Relive the adventure with the official ‘Night at the Museum’ board game! Play as your favorite characters and race against time to save the museum.

🎧 Soundtrack

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “7th Cavalry Regiment” – performed by Traditional

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Did you know that in NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: BATTLE OF THE SMITHSONIAN…

Did you know that in ‘Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian’, the villain, Kahmunrah, states that he can kill Larry and his friends in an instant, but then never actually blinks throughout the entire movie? Intriguing, isn’t it? It’s a small detail but adds a bit of depth to his character.

2009 Night at The Museum Battle of the Smithsonian set of 8 McDonalds Happy Meal Collection

If you grew up watching ‘Night at the Museum’ and loved the movie, then this video will bring back some fond memories! It gives us a detailed look at the McDonald’s Happy Meal collection that was released alongside the film. I had a few of these toys when I was younger, so it was really fun to revisit them after all these years.

Jonas Brothers in Night at the Museum 2~Behind the Scenes

For Jonas Brothers fans, this video is a must-watch. It takes us behind-the-scenes of ‘Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian’ and shows the Jonas Brothers recording their voices for the cherubs in the film. It’s always interesting to see how movies are made, and this video gives us a glimpse into the process.

Night at the Museum Movie Reviews (but 20% are about Jedtavius)

If you’re interested in reading reviews of ‘Night at the Museum’ but want to get a variety of perspectives, this video is perfect for you. It compiles reviews from the website Letterboxd, and while most of them focus on the film itself, there’s also a healthy dose of discussion about the tiny cowboy and Roman soldier’s relationship. It’s a fun and informative watch for anyone who loves ‘Night at the Museum’.

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