Night watchman Larry is going to move to Japan, where he found a job in one of the museums in Tokyo. Problems are created by the features of the previous place: the search for successors is complicated by the fact that at night the exhibits come to life, frightening applicants. The ideal candidate for the position is the eighteen-year-old son of Larry Nick, who is in an active search for a life purpose.
The original Night at the Museum was based on a children’s book by Milan Trenc published in 1993. The creators were able to convey the central idea of the work by creating a cult comedy: the clumsy Larry found himself in fantastic conditions, getting an ordinary job. The dramaturgy of the first film was built on the breaks of everyday life: getting acquainted with historical figures, a man showed sympathy for them, which contributed to a change in his own character.
The second part not only retained the central elements of the original, but also added new details: a full-fledged antagonist appeared in the form of the evil pharaoh Kahmunrah, who dreams of getting a golden plate, as well as the opportunity to penetrate the paintings. The success of the sequel allowed 20th Century Fox to think about another project with beloved characters, which was released in 2015 and received lukewarm reviews.
After the House of Mouse acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2017, it was decided that new parts of some franchises would begin to appear on the Disney + online service: in January of this year, Ice Age: Buck’s Adventure was released, and in December, an animated version appeared. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”
The fourth part of “Night at the Museum” also changed the format to animation: the approach is explained more likely not by the concept, but by the desire to save money. The tape is made in the style of the 90s with a characteristic bright color scheme and lack of realistic proportions, which can be perceived in two ways: most will appreciate the nostalgic touches, because the original also resembled comedies of the late 20th century, but there will also be those who consider the animation outdated.
The picture is dedicated to the offspring of Larry Nick – a typical teenager who is in search of a life purpose: the boy writes music, but believes that creativity will not be popular. To add confidence to his son, his father offers him a job in a museum; in the past, the position helped a man cope with employment problems and constant quarrels with his wife. The continuation is dedicated to the younger generation: Nick is afraid that he will not achieve anything in life, because most celebrities have achieved success at a young age.
Once in the basement, Nick is unable to lock the door, which leads to the return of the Egyptian pharaoh Kahmunrah: the ruler wants to regain control of the plate. The boy will have to overcome fears, teaming up with brave heroes, and cope with the antagonist. The problem is that the scenario is secondary: the guard first has to listen to the instructions of the exhibits that have come to life, and then understand that the fate of the world depends solely on his personal abilities.
Jeanne d’Arc joins the company of adventurers from previous films. The introduction of the character is explained not only by the desire of the creators to dilute the almost male contingent (the shaman Sacagawea returns), but also by the modern policy of the studio, which brings forward strong female characters.
The animators copy scenes from previous films – the audience has already seen an identical episode with the characters traveling in public transport. Let other subtexts hide on the screen, but it’s impossible to note the originality. There is no sympathy even for the characters: the change in the cast, as well as the long break between films, makes one think about the appropriateness of the continuation.
The new Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again looks like an optional addition to the trilogy that you can safely skip.
