Director: Shawn Levy
Starring: Rami Malek, Ben Stiller and Carla Gugino
‘A Captivating Comedy’
Not many actors in Hollywood have earned the appreciation of Rami Malek. Ever since his rise to stardom in the 2000’s, Malek has become a celebrated icon. Whether it’s famous singers, museum figures or political leaders, Malek has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Malek’s finest strength as an actor has often been his commitment. He is one of those stars thar has always poured his heart and soul into every role. Malek has never been afraid taking risks in his career playing characters that are not always likeable. Through his ability to play characters which prove compelling, Malek has built a legacy that is lasting. An actor with bold commitment to his craft, Malek has proven an icon in entertainment. Throughout his enduring career, Malek has made countless captivating films that are definitely without a single doubt worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Malek and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “Night at the Museum” is my favourite. Released back in 2006, Shawn Levy’s movie has stood the test of time as a comedy classic. Packed with bold production design, engaging storytelling and strong acting. It’s one of the best comedy films ever made. At the centre of it all is a powerful performance by Rami Malek, who embodies an Egyptian pharaoh coming to life in a museum. Ultimately, what makes “Night at the Museum” a commemorated comedy classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies in the comedy genre, it discusses powerful themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about power of friendships which would definitely resonate with everyone. A captivating comedy about a magical museum, there are many strong reasons why “Night at the Museum” is a movie that is worth seeing.
Set in a museum, “Night at the Museum” tells the story of artifacts which come to life with wisdom. Ben Stiller portrays Larry Daley, a dedicated watchman that devotes his life to taking care of a natural history museum. Larry has always excelled at doing his job taking care of a museum he loves dearly. However, Larry’s dreams are ruined when he awakens an ancient curse causing disaster. Suddenly, the artifacts in the museum magically come to life. Among the artifacts is the Egyptian king Ahkmenrah (Rami Malek), who is determined to wreak havoc in the museum. Faced with a stressful dilemma, Larry begins to question if it’s possible for him to take care of artifacts in a museum causing trauma. As all the odds are stacked against favour, Larry questions if he will ever be able to take care of a commemorated museum that faces disaster.
Shawn Levy has always excelled at making comedies. A fantastic filmmaker, Levy has always made great movies about comical situations. With “Night at the Museum”, however, Levy created his first ever museum comedy. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the tensions faced by museums that cause disaster but he succeeded immensely. Through spellbinding cinematography, Levy captures a caretaker struggling to care for a museum causing tragedy. Levy successfully uses handheld camerawork to capture chaos in a museum facing catastrophe. For instance, handheld camerawork enhanced the museum awakening scene. During this hilarious scene, Larry is shocked to discover the artifacts in a museum coming to life causing disaster. One appreciates handheld camerawork capturing tensions that museum caretakers are always enduring. Handheld camerawork isn’t an easy technique to use in movies. As Bryan Singer’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” suggested, handheld camerawork enhanced musical biopics about legendary musicians. Nerveless, it works well in this movie. Through groundbreaking visuals, Levy captures frightening tensions caretakers of museums are facing.
Another phenomenal aspect of “Night at the Museum” that merits appreciation is the set-design. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Levy effectively uses the production design of a museum to capture the lives of caretakers facing a decline. Levy’s decisions to shoot the movie in a real museum is tricky but works immensely. For instance, the set of the museum elevates the pharaoh curse scene. During this unforgettable scene, Larry faced a tense situation when he accidentally awakens a grim tomb of an Egyptian pharaoh. Through the larger than life museum locations, Levy creates a character which audiences can easily relate to. Museums are tricky settings to use in movies. As Spike Lee’s “Inside Out” did suggest clearly, museums elevate crime films about bank robberies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Alan Silvestri’s commemorated music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a whimsical atmosphere capturing tension that museum caretakers face causing despair. Through phenomenal production design, Levy captures museums that decline.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “Night at the Museum” is a film about museums which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to illustrate tensions which caretakers of museums are facing. For instance, silence elevates the museum farewell scene. During this heartfelt scene, Larry bids farewell to the exhibits in a museum in tearful farewells. One appreciates silence capturing the lives of museum caretakers facing tension. Through silence, Levy creates a character that audiences can easily relate to. Silence isn’t an easy technique to use in films. As Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” suggested, silence is suited to movies about atomic bomb inventors. John Krasinski’s “A Quiet Place” demonstrated that silence elevates films about horror films. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a superb screenplay, Levy captures magical museums which come with a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Rami Malek delivers one of his greatest career performances as Ahkmenrah. Malek achieved appreciation for playing troubled teenagers in dark institutions. With “Night at the Museum”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a pharaoh coming to life in a museum but Malek succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. Malek has always had a sharp sense of humour, and “Night at the Museum” showcase his strengths as an actor. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures angst, desperation and grief of an Egyptian pharaoh coming to life in a museum. It’s a bold performance from one of the most celebrated actors working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Rami Malek, the supporting cast is terrific and also worthy of appreciation. Ben Stiller is brilliant, capturing the anxiety of a caretaker struggling to care for a museum which faces disaster. Robin Williams is wonderful, bringing a strong sense of authority toward a legendary president in American history. Lastly, Ricky Gervais merits praise. As a hotel manager, he brings hilarious comical relief to the movie.
Finally, “Night at the Museum” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing the magical appeal of a commemorated museum. Unlike most comedies made by Ben Stiller, it discusses strong themes everyone would relate to. It tackles compelling themes including identity, history and legacy which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of commemorated museum movies to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about history which will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Night at the Museum” is one of those rare comedies which everyone would definitely without any doubt adore.
Fans of Rami Malek will definitely appreciate “Night at the Museum” and so will audiences seeking meaningful entertainment. A riveting comedy classic, it honours an actor that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking film about stressed caretakers struggling to take care of commemorated exhibits coming to life in magical museums that are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has built a huge fan following earning recognition for his abilities to portray compelling characters in captivating movies which are definitely without a single doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 