Why Night at the Museum Works

On the day of writing this, the third Night at the Museum movie is being released this coming Friday. It's always been a wonderful franchise, filled with whimsical characters, captivating stories, and heart within every film. But, what really does make this film so special, even aged almost ten years. Here's my list of three reasons why Night of the Museum works.

1. The comedy

Night of the Museum, first and foremost, is a comedy. It has elements of action, adventure, Dick Van Dyke, etc., but what it never stops doing is being funny. The source comes from its amazing cast and crew. Specifically, its writing crew of Robert Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon, veterans writers of Reno 911! and cast members of MTV's The State (never seen either), who each give their funniest to this ingenious undertaking of a film.

Better than the writing, however, the films are riddled with incredible comedic talent on screen. Immediately, the mind jumps to legendary Robin Williams, who plays the iconic twenty-sixth President of the United States Theodore Roosevelt. It's actually quite a serious role, yet he sneaks in his gift of humor in many a scene. The man, of course, is an acting genius!

Even further, though, Museum has taken comedians from every avenue and grafted them in this somewhat odd historical fiction. Everyone from Ricky Gervais, Jonah Hill, Bill Hader, Hank Azaria, and, in this latest edition, Pitch Perfect's Rebel Wilson.

My personal favorite, though, are the miniatures played by Steve Coogan and Owen Wilson, who make use of their size to create hilarious action scenes of less-than-epic proportions.

All in all, the comedy used here puts it in a category all of its own.

2. The history

Not exactly something you'd find in a usual film, but Night of the Museum's titular setting is most useful when sugarcoated by its accurate historical content. Each film contains a wealth of great figures from every point in history imaginable and surprisingly educates better than many a purposely-educational program.

A great example of its use of world history characters can be found primarily in the sequel Battle of the Smithsonian. Of course, in the world's largest museum, nearly every figure imaginable made an appearance. Aiding the villain Kahmunrah is none other than Al Capone, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Ivan the Terrible (or, rather, Ivan the Awesome).

Also making appearances are Abraham Lincoln, Joey Motorola, Albert Einstein, and even Oscar the Grouch, because y'know... why not?! The new film will also make use of London's greatest figures, most notably Sir Lancelot.

Not only does everyone here appear but they give legitimate historical information. Roosevelt, in particular, regularly has noted the accomplishments of the President he depicts. Likewise, in order to know his way around the museum, Ben Stiller's Larry Daley looks up the informations of the exhibits online (we'll overlook the fact it was on Wikipedia...)

Through it all, the historical content drives the plot, naturally of a history-based film.

3. The heart

This one's not so easy to describe, but the series has been known for its heart. While being a mix of a little bit of action and a little bit of comedy, it doesn't always boast it's biggest strength: it's emotional content.

The first film shows this a lot plainer in its story of the divorce between Larry and his ex-wife. Therein, Larry attempts to keep the relationship between him and his son intact. Though, disappointment comes in every directions, hitting Nicky Daley the hardest when his father is temporarily fired from the museum. The strain in this relation causes tension but the bond grows stronger and stronger with each moment they spend on their adventure to recover the tablet of Akmunrah.

The second is a little less of the main plot, yet it does a better job at showing emotion. This one chronicles the budding love between Larry and wax Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams). Amy Adam comes on strong and builds a friendship/relationship between them, but Larry difficultly refuses the flattering advances. The difficulty of the situation comes from her wax nature and the hard way of breaking that to Earhart as the go about their main conflict.

They aren't overly-advertised parts, but the emotion between all the characters gives them three-dimensionality and makes the film feel relatable to the audience. In that way, it makes the best proof why Night at the Museum works.

Hope you liked this little list thing. Again, it's another idea. No real confirmation these types of posts'll become common place 'round here, but if you read it, hope you like it. Thanks for reading!

Blue's Clues Christmas Episodes Review, Part 2

Now for the thrilling conclusion to my two-part review of the Blue's Clues holiday episodes. These are really memorable episodes for me, this one especially. It's one of the few Joe episodes to do so (that is, except for "The Snack Chart"). Hope you enjoy this one, thanks for reading!

Season 5, Episode 29 - Blue's First Holiday

A show can change depending on its lifespan. Star Trek changed its entire roster between the Original Series and the Next Generation. SpongeBob supposedly has decreased in quality since the created Stephen Hillenburg left the show. Blue's Clues is no different.

For Blue's Clues, the big transition was Steve to Joe, which caused a rumble amongst nostalgic fans of the former. I, for one, always preferred Steve, however, Joe was never unappealing to me. But I did notice a difference.

Back in the day, Blue's Clues was the pioneer for interactive kids television. Sesame Street and the like were forerunners of that sort-of kids genre, interacting with kids at home, but never in the way Blue's Clues spurred. Intimately talking to the camera and whatnot, having the audience act as a third protagonist. It was revolutionary and, along with Dora, provided a template for future kids programs.

The second iteration with Joe changed a lot of things. While Steve's years inspired the future and still kept that little inch of realism in the interaction, Joe somewhat watered down the show in places. No lie, Joe was a great choice to succeed Steve, yet his takeover led to changing the show to become more like the shows of the time that ironically were inspired by the show itself.

That's not to say these episodes did not leave behind its past. This episode here, "Blue's First Holiday", brings two and two together, providing a interesting backstory for Blue and bridges the gap between first and second generations of Blue's Clues.

The episode begins with the arrival of Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper's holiday present. The gift is none other than two movies (VHS home videos, actually... it was 2003...). Taking cues from the previous holiday show, the episode te

lls the story outside the normal status quo. Instead of (directly) playing Blue's Clues on screen, we see them watching their old home movies. (Side note: Didn't know they had a TV until now. It's weird, 'cause we see them circle the house like every episode.)

Now, these home movies tell the origins of Blue. They even come with titles the first being, not surprisingly, "The Day We Met Blue". In the video, all the Blue's Clues gang as babies, except an older, yet still young Steve, celebrate a previous holiday. Noticeably absent to the group is Blue. Explained by Mr. Salt, however, we discover he was in fact not there at the time of the filming.

We see the entire gang getting their holiday gifts, except young Steve. Steve knew exactly what he wanted and that was a dog. In the end, he gets his present. Though, instead of a puppy, he receives a book about a puppy (literally called About a Puppy). The book tells the story of a puppy called Blue (yes, that one), who wants a friend because all the other dogs are too different than him. The book ends by asking the reader if you'll be her friend. Steve reads the book repeatedly and eventually answers 'yes'. And, through the power of skidooing or love or something, Blue pops out of the book and into real life.

See, this is the kind of stuff I love. Never in a million years would I think to see Blue's origin story. It's weird, yet only natural, that she comes from a book. They completely explain skidooing and her anthropomorphic qualities because of this, though indirectly. And, through this story, the bond between Blue and Steve is much more grounded and furthers the love we already knew from his seasons. Also, gotta hand it to the actor who played young Steve (William Ulrich) on playing this iconic part, he is exactly how I imagine a young Steve being.

After playing with her for a long time, young Steve eventually asks if she will stay. She says yes and the book has since resided on the bookshelf. The little vignette is probably one of the most compelling things the show has done.

That superlative, however, easily goes to the exchange that happens right after the video. We actually get a call on the phone from Steve. This moment of contained nostalgia acts like the "Steve Goes to College" arc, but moreso like a final acceptance of the change. A real acknowledgement things are in capable hands. There's this part where Steve talks to us and says he misses us, but his enthusiasm shines through in a way that confirms his faith in Joe. The Mail Time alarm interrupts part of the call, but before they hang up Joe says "It was great to hear from you." A heartfelt recognition and salutation to the past, showing within one line that even while growing and changing, they won't forget their roots and won't completely abolish them.

Following this, we lightheartedly receive a holiday card (not a letter) from our friends explaining the four holidays of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Ramadan. Just like the last special, it's great they acknowledge the actual holidays too. Because it's odd how Steve and them celebrate... holiday... In this holiday card, they go over the fun things about the holidays for the kids representing them.

The next movie, titled "Blue's First Clue", is shown and goes over the first game of Blue's Clues. This was not as required as was the sentimental Blue origin, but paints the perfect picture of the beginnings of the game.

For many years, having forgotten this episode with time, I've thought Blue's Clues was always a pretentious game. Blue always seemed to just use it as an excuse to have Steve or Joe go on a wild goose chase for her attention's sake. However, the video reveals the game is actually a result of her unintelligibility (How've I already used this word twice?). She can't exactly talk like the rest the gang, so she uses the game as a way of communicating her thoughts. This is really good stuff and it actually gives rhyme and reason to the entire show itself.

Now, the first game of Blue's Clues was the search for Joe's duck blanket. No one knew where it was except for Blue, who used her clues to lead the way. It ended up, of all places, outside near the snowman. Upon finding it, Steve washed it (didn't know they had a washing machine either) and returned it to his baby brother.

While I've got it on the brain, I wanna mention the really great sequence at the beginning of the home video with them in the snow. It's really nice seeing everyone together in this flashback, but, most of all, Blue and Steve. It's just this image of them sledding together is firmly implanted in my brain and it sealed that dynamic of "Steve and Blue" in my head for all time.

Thus, the ending of them outside in the snow together like in the home video was a fitting one. Most fitting is the ride of Joe and Blue on the sled, that officially has me accept the Steve to Joe transition.

I think this episode to me, more or less, focuses less on the holiday and more on the togetherness. The last one did combine the two, but this sealed the gap and showed us first generation and second generation Blue's Clues aren't so different after all. Even so, the difference is not different enough to justify the complaints. The transition is something that had to happen and the way it did happen felt natural enough to be accepted. Thus, this episode is probably my favorite Joe episode and one of my favorite Blue episodes altogether. I give it a 4/5.

I hope you enjoyed this review. This will not guarantee my return to the blog, nor does it mean if I do that I'll be reviewing Blue's Clues episodes all the time. But, this is just something fun I wanted to do and I hope you liked it. Thanks for reading and don't forget to be awesome (DFTBA).

Blue's Clues Christmas Episodes Review, Part 1

Man, I haven't been on this blog in a long time. But I feel it's only fitting to give you guys the Christmas gift of a surprise return.

Today, for some really really odd reason, I'm going to do a two-part review of the Christmas episodes of Blue's Clues. Y'know, the hit Nick Jr. show that set the bar for interactive preschool television shows today. The one with the unnatural blue-furred puppy and her youthful owner and host Steve. It was a part of my childhood and perhaps your's too! I love this show even today and the Christmas episodes are some of the show's best works, so let's "Blue Skidoo" into our review.

Season 3, Episode 10 - Blue's Big Holiday

Even with its formulaic nature, Blue's Clues is a show that can stay consistently solid. A fun thing about the show is that it can really go anywhere. Through skidooing, their odd technique of transporting (using green screen effects), they've gone in submarines, on chalkboards, and in the most remote of places. This portion here is what the show feeds on: variety. That said, skidooing can go to far off lands and, at the same time, nowhere at all. Much of it ends up feeling too disingenuous. I won't say skidooing isn't a good idea and it's not worth having on the show, but, while the show's solidity is intact, it reinforces how fast the show can get stale.

This plus it's never-changing main locale of Steve's home is the main cause of its recurring tedious episodes. Blue's Clues is a show that grows tiresome with time. Thus, episodes like "Blue's Big Holiday" are saving grace and feeds the show what it so craves: variety.

This holiday episode takes us into Blue's home during the cold holiday season, complete with wintery opening sequence. Steve, like always, beckons us in to take part on their holiday tradition, which is to expand their holiday quilt. Filled with patches marking their favorite memories, the holiday quilt is what they do to celebrate during the cherished time of the year. (Side note: I should mention here, I think this is what they do instead of Christmas/Hanukkah/etc. It's weird considering they don't commonly know any of the holidays they learn about later in the episode.)

Anyhow, the episode, of course, features a game of Blue's Clues. This time, Steve uses the game to find out what Blue wants to do for her patch on the quilt, blazing the trail for the different-than-usual episode's escapades.

The first clue ironically places Blue's blue paw print on a holiday card with four tiny paw prints. Likewise, the first detour takes Steve and Blue skidooing into their snow globe depicting the world of Toyland, a magical land that bums you out a little more than you'd think. The irony here is due to three sad toys lamenting their differences to the toys next to them; namely, a doll with an orange dress, blocks that keep falling down, and a pocket. Luckily, their sadness inspires Steve to uplift them, in addition to grant their wish to be presents.

After skidooing back out, Steve and Blue take these now-happy gifts and give them to their fitting owners Green Puppy, Orange Kitten, and Purple Kangaroo. This is where the magic happens. Steve finally takes steps outside the house and into the neighborhood. The cardboard cut-out town he travels is still similar to Steve's home, but somehow just works. It grounds the show finally in some weird kind-of reality. We see the different pets' owners, and they're live action! They're talking interacting and even sharing about the holidays their celebrating to a curious Steve.

It's also really nice for them to mention the variety of holidays too. While they keep it a lot more general than even Elmo's World, it's nice to see them mentioning the "special birth" and the "miracle of light". It's great to see that on the show.

While their here they give them their gifts, but the owners kindly give Steve a patch for the quilt representing their holiday. It's real genuine moments like these that truly make the show. Of course, its all abruptly interrupted by Mail Time.

All this variety even transitions back home where they are literally missing Mail Time. Steve and Blue are literally running to the house, singing the song from the window, and running around, only to get inside by the last line. It's a hilarious little spot and we even see commitment to the bit on Steve's part. He's sitting in the Thinking Chair out of breath and taking a moment before he grabs the letter. It's legitimately funny even for me, the fifteen-year-old watching Blue's Clues.

Mailbox, while he's here, also receives his present (a flag warmer), while Steve opens the letter from Magenta. The letter here is either really good or really bad. It doesn't suffer from the normal child actor problems we see a lot of time here, but Magenta's unintelligibility gives us nothing to play off of. Though, it occurs to me this might just be a little moment to breathe. I should mention the second clue was a blanket, back in the snow globe, and the third was Mailbox's gift to Steve, a rattle. The patch ends up being Blue as a baby.

Wrapping up this great episode is the adding of the patches and a nice little cozy, warm moment where everyone surrounds the fire and it just feels like family. And we say goodbye but that cohesive feeling of warmth stays with me up until the end of the credits.

This is a really lovely episode and the real gift behind this was giving the repetition a break and giving a little breathing room and the answer to its quality (you know it): variety. I give the episode a 4.5/5.

Click here for Part Two, where I review "Blue's First Holiday".