It’s painful to watch Bill Hader struggle for funniness as General Custer by spitting out mispronunciations of Sacajawea – “Cinco de Mayo” being the worst offender. It’s sheer agony to witness the Jonas Brothers flit about as three cherubs singing the love song from Titanic. But, that’s enough of my knocking a movie that’s ultimately just a good-spirited attempt at summer fun. And Night at the Museum does have its pleasures.
Soaring over the movie’s comedic mess is Amy Adams as an Amelia Earhart statue come to life. Adams is so luminous that she makes any movie enjoyable. She’s redeemed many a weak movie and she does so here charmingly, effortlessly, and with almost nothing to work with. At one point, Ben Stiller’s Larry Daley says to Adams’ Earhart, “You look like someone I know.” She replies, “I get that all the time.” And that wonderfully expresses Adams’ considerable appeal.
And there is something easily relatable at the movie’s core. I have a crazy dog at home named Dingo. I often imagine what he does when we’re away. If he’s so wild and weird in the evening, he must really cut loose during the day. I imagine him raiding the fridge and pawing at the remote control until Animal Planet appears on the television. Maybe he throws doggy parties.
Night at the Museum is like Day at the Fords if Dingo simply stared out the window waiting for our return.
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