Night at the Museum:  Battle of the Smithsonian - out of 5 reels, this film receives *** (3 reels)

Can you say - 'FAMILY FUN NIGHT'?  This movie is so much fun for all ages!  If you didn't see the original Night at the Museum, make a point to rent and enjoy the movie.  Then gather the entire family up and catch this sequel at the theaters.  My kids laughed through most of the movie and so did I.  The original movie for me was good.  The writers, director, and cast make a special effort to take this sequel to the next level and up the ante for laughs.  Although the script is a bit unbelievable, it's a kid focused movie - so in some ways it should be over the top.

Museum security guard Larry Daley, played by Ben Stiller, is no longer a failure.  His 'big' ideas have finally paid off and he is at the top of his game.  He is successful and in demand making him less available to his nighttime friends at the museum.  Chaos breaks out when the museum decides to go digital and eliminate all wax displays.  Larry is lured by a familiar voice into a journey which takes him to Washington D.C.'s Smithsonian museum.  Get ready for some old friends, history lessons, laughs, and adventure as Larry tries to save the night.

I loved the movie for multiple reasons.  First, it is always nice to feel as if you were entertained enough to justify your movie cover charge - for this movie I did.  Second, most of the movie occurs in Washington D.C., introducing children to many of D.C's historical facts and sites guaranteed to make anyone's next visit to D.C. all the more fun.  Thirdly, I'm a huge fan of Amy Adams.  Her performance in Enchanted (another family favorite) as Giselle was superb and won her a lifetime fan in me.  In this film she does another great performance as Amelia Earhart, the first woman pilot to fly over the Pacific Ocean.

If you are looking for your family to be entertained - this movie is for you.  It provides laughs for all ages.