Critics Rating: 2.5 Stars

Cast: Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Owen Wilson, Steve Coogan, Dan Stevens, Ricky Gervais, Rebel Wilson, Ben Kingsley

Direction: Shawn Levy

Produced: Chris Columbus, Michael Barnathan.

Written: David Guion and Michael Handelman

Genre: Comedy

Duration: 98 Mins

Ben Stiller’s Larry Daley has come a long way since the divorced dad and clueless security guard from the first film. He’s a concerned father and despite some successful ventures in the previous film, resumes his responsibilities because who wouldn’t want to work in a museum abuzz with nocturnal activity?

The characters are the same (with a few more joining the fray), but the setting is different. After two films where the Tablet of Akhmenrah serves as the MacGuffin to trigger a series of misadventures, we get the backstory on its origins. This exposition is all-important since the tablet is losing its powers and in turn, the ability to transform the museum exhibits into living artifacts. A lesser security guard would be relieved at the reduced work load, but Larry is determined to keep his archaic friends up and running. Three films spanning eight years can do that to a man. For added nostalgia, the makers throw in a scene where Dick Van Dyke is shaking a leg in the retirement home. “Still got it,” his Cecil Fredericks grins. Yes sir, you do.

 

In order to unravel the mystery regarding the tablet, Larry and the usual suspects blunder their way to and through the British Museum of Natural History for answers. But a new museum is unknown terrain and even the tablet’s fading powers can have the various displays running amok. Add Sir Lancelot (Dan Stevens) to the melee who insists that Larry reminds him of a court jester with “dangly bells” and there is an eventful enough night lined up. There’s also Ricky Gervais and Rebel Wilson adding humour as the disbelieving camp, but their appearances are too short-lived to be of much consequence in the film.

 

Secret of the Tomb may well be the best film in the trilogy but that does not make it the most befitting conclusion to round up the trilogy. There is, however, a quality of breathless silliness in the film, a constant pace and a good ensemble performance to keep you in your seat. All one has to do is ignore logical lapses about how easily characters destroy ancient relics and how most of the senselessness does not get captured on security camera unless the contrivance is essential to the plot. The story is not above using defibrillators, urinating monkeys for gags and a creepy primate-human kiss (Planet of the Apes, anyone?) either.

Despite the absence of rationale, you still get a fun guest appearance towards the end and an interesting sequence where key characters navigate their way through M. C. Escher’s lithograph print Relativity, where the normal laws of gravity are not at play, making it an enjoyable watch.
Secret of the Tomb is also one of Robin Williams’ final films. It may not be the best send-off, but it is one he lights up with his characteristic effervescence. His final words towards the end as Theodore Roosevelt resonate when he says, “Smile, my boy! It’s sunrise!” Perhaps it makes the moment more poignant than the makers or the legend himself intended. With that, the curtains close, the lights dim and the dust finally settles in the museum, which will be missing the most regal and genial of its denizens.