I laughed out loud quite a lot during this movie. And I enjoyed the creative ways in which the filmmakers brought such a variety of museum exhibits to life—from that historically significant moment with the Tuskegee Airmen to Larry grabbing the old farmer’s pitchfork from Grant Wood’s classic painting, American Gothic.

Instead of making it feel derivative or cobbled together, this tale’s liberal appropriations of other films and TV shows actually seems to accentuate its good-natured ribbing style. Along for the ride are influences from National Treasure and Mission: Impossible, cribbed dialog from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Monty Python and the Holy Grail and The Last of the Mohicans, and even a catchphrase from American Idol.

Stiller should thank his parents every single day. He has none of their talent

Strongly disagree.

It was kinda cool that the first one had Mickey Rooney and Dick Van Dyke in it playing the bad guys.

kingsjester on May 23, 2009 at 9:32 AM

Well, of course.

It’s a museum movie.

We got a Netflix subscription from the (grown) kids for Christmas, so are looking for suggestions. Saw “The Rocketeer” recently (great fun) and “Outsource” last night (charming comedy and very true-to-life view of India); revisited “Murder on the Orient Express” (worth seeing twice to get all the clues and funny lines). Ideas welcome—just nothing depressing, please, nor overly gross and violent. I have never understood the modern obsession with ‘realistic’ dialogue, meaning four-letter words—not a one in “Casablanca,” arguably the greatest movie ever made.

“Let’s Roll”

Your review has me excited to do so. I especially like that there isn’t cursing or a lot of innuendo.

Have a great vacation!

It depends, our local IMAX in St Augustine got my 14 bucks for Star Trek, some movies just have to be done right :)

Squid Shark on May 23, 2009 at 12:49 PM

OH yes! We saw Star Trek at IMAX too. We will probably see the Harry Potter there as well. Unless… there is a little town in Washington State, Leavenworth. It has a tiny little theater, it probably seats about 30. That’s my hometown actually. And we have seen many of the Harry Potter’s for the first time there. It is very intimate and sort of adds to the fun. We should be there at the right time again this year…

After much anticipation, I was so disappointed with Angels and Demons. Granted, that and DaVinci Code were far better reads than movies, Angels and Demons was just horrible.

The Goode Family

Often we wait a see movies at the $3.oo theather. On Tuesdays it’s only $1.50!

petunia on May 23, 2009 at 12:30 PM

It depends, our local IMAX in St Augustine got my 14 bucks for Star Trek, some movies just have to be done right :)

Often we wait a see movies at the $3.oo theather. On Tuesdays it’s only $1.50!

petunia on May 23, 2009 at 12:30 PM

We do the same thing. I can’t remember the last time we paid regular movie prices.

I will buy the DVD of this. Seldom go out to the movies anymore. The popcorn tastes awful and the ticket prices are stupid.

dogsoldier on May 23, 2009 at 12:06 PM

I saw a movie last night too. I won’t say which, it might offend my Catholic friends… I would have seen this but both the girls had sleep overs and I didn’t want to see it twice. I loved the first one!

In fact… my three-year-old twin grandsons are coming for a very long stay (My son is in a Phd program at Stanford and is splitting the summer with us and the inlaws.) I think getting the original on DVD and then going to an actual museum with the boys would be a hoot! Dinosaur bones!

But… about movie prices! Grrrrr! And then I had to watch commercials too! The one where the sweat squirts from the underarms! I’d almost pay another buck not to have to see that commercial!

Often we wait a see movies at the $3.oo theather. On Tuesdays it’s only $1.50!

Yeah, well, take a look at the route from Branson to the Twin Cities and try to find an interesting halfway point. ;-)

Ed Morrissey on May 23, 2009 at 9:12 AM

This is true. It beats driving across Kansas or Nebraska though. (sorry KS and NE people!)

Thanks for the review Ed. My 10 yr old wants to see it. With Stiller, I was wondering if he’d (they’d) try to push the envelope in the sequel. Glad to hear it’s appropriate for kids.

I’m sure we’ll get great movies from now on.