"Night at the Museum"

Rated PG

Now playing

** 1/2

THE PLOT: Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) is in desperate need of a job to stabilize his financial situation and convince his ex-wife that he can be trusted with their son, Nick.

The only job the employment agency offers him, however, is the position of night security guard at New York City's Museum of Natural History. Larry soon learns that, at night, history literally comes to life at the museum.

(Photo: Larry Daley, played by Ben Stiller, runs for his life in "Night at the Museum." Credit: Rhythm and Hues -- Twentieth Century Fox.)

THE ACTING: Most of the characters in this movie are too eccentric to be realistic, such as the feisty trio of elderly security guards and the clueless British museum director. But this is a movie in which you really have to step away from reality and just watch the action unfold.

The best acting is done by the big-name actors: Ben Stiller as the overwhelmed security guard and father, Owen Wilson as a whiny cowboy and Robin Williams as the eloquent Teddy Roosevelt.

Lesser-known Carla Gugino realistically portrays the role of the museum's resident history buff, while Jake Cherry seems out of place as Larry's son with his Bambi eyes, overly mature attitude and an intangible father-son connection.

However, the main focus of the movie is on the museum's varied characters, who do deliver their computer-animated and well-costumed parts extremely well.

THE SPECIAL EFFECTS: Let's be honest. Plot, acting and character development aren't the stars of this movie. The special effects rule here. They're astounding and provide plenty of laughs. There's a running, tail-wagging T-Rex skeleton, and an abundance of animated wax and plastic figurines -- ranging from incoherent Huns to maniacally mischievous monkeys to a gum-chewing Easter Island head.

Among the characters brought to life: mannequins, extinct and living animals, and legions and legions of tiny people. The sheer number and diversity of characters are the best part of the film.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Watch this movie in the theater if you love special effects and want a light-hearted break from your first weeks back at school. If not, wait for the DVD. Just be sure to watch the credits for some security guard boogeying.

-- Michelle Kang, St. Francis High, Mountain View