Sequel comes alive

Ben Stiller and his gang of lively statues are back for another night of fun when history comes alive. Director Shawn Levy returns for the sequel, with Larry Daley (Stiller) deciding to leave his night guard position at the museum after he hits it big with one of his inventions.

Upon a return visit to his old job site, he learns that many of the artifacts will be shipped away to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., in place of newer, more interactive displays.

The plot revolves around Daley and his mission to save his waxy friends from their destined home in the nation’s capitol.

Missing from the 2006 film is Rebecca (Carla Gugino), who seemed to be a potential love interest for Daley. In “Smithsonian” Amy Adams plays the female lead as pilot Amelia Earhart, one of the new characters who help breathe life into this spunky sequel.

Much of the film shows Daley and Earhart traveling around the Smithsonian in search of the combination to unlock the magical tablet that helps the wax statues come to life. They must do so amid impending danger, as the evil Kahmunrah (Hank Azaria) chases them down so he can use the tablet to rule the world.

In addition to Earhart, other new characters include General Custer (Bill Hader) as well as a host of other famous figures, from Ivan the Terrible to Oscar the Grouch.

Many of the characters from the first film have diminished or nonexistent roles, as they become more of an afterthought with the addition of the new characters.

The acting is solid from the new cast members and the returning Robin Williams as Teddy Roosevelt. The many fight scenes are reminiscent of other action films such as “The Mummy”  and those of the “Indiana Jones” series.

The film manages to take the coming alive thing to new heights, but at times it gets to be over-the-top, just like in most sequels. Still, fans of the first movie should be pleased with this one.