Stiller returns in ‘Secret of the Tomb’
Final instalment will satisfy franchise fans
NIGHT at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb , which opens at Eastern Cape cinemas today, is the eagerly anticipated third instalment of the hugely successful franchise. Directed by Shawn Levy, it’s the final and most exciting of the family films about the legendary exhibits at New York’s Museum of Natural History, which come to life each night.
This time Larry is on a mission to keep his historical friends alive, before the magic disappears. Ben Stiller was delighted to return as Larry Daley and, this time, take on an extra role as a caveman.
The relationship between Larry and his son, Nicky, has always been at the heart of the films, along with their innovative use of special effects to bring the magic to life on the screen.
This time, Stiller says, the screenwriters have come up with a brilliant script that combines emotional punch, comedy, action and all the fantasy elements fans have come to expect.
Larry is trying to come to terms with a teenage son seeking his independence and the devastating news that the magical existence of his gang of historical friends in the museum is under threat.
“We are about five years after the last one, which is a big change in terms of Larry’s relationship with his son. Nicky is a teenager now and he’s going off to school,” Stiller said.
“Everything is going well until something starts happening to the tablet. That’s what I like about the movie. It’s dealing with the idea that there’s impermanence to all of this, and that there’s an end to the magic.
“That’s one of the reasons I wanted to do the movie; it felt like there was a reason for it to be happening. It’s not just about finding another place, another museum to have adventures.
“It’s more about change and the fact that in life, things never remain the same.
“Nicky is growing up and becoming a young adult, Larry is having to say goodbye and let go, and all of his friends at the museum are finding out that they can’t keep going like this forever, which they didn’t know. It’s the reality of life.
“That idea plays out throughout the movie, which I think gives it a reason for being. The story, I think, becomes a lot more engaging and the stakes much higher, because they’re trying to save themselves, and the tablet, which is what keeps them all alive.”
This time the action takes place in London at the famous British Museum. And although much of the four-month shoot was on sound stages in the studio at Vancouver, Stiller and the team did get the chance to film at the British Museum, which was a huge thrill, he said.
Secret of the Tomb completes the trilogy that started eight years ago. But does that mean there won’t be another Night at the Museum movie?
“For me, I approached it as my last one. That felt like the right thing for me and it’s the idea that there’s definitely an ending to the story that started in the first film, ” Stiller said.
“So it’s not going to be the same. I think that’s what’s great about the story. Because the stakes are higher, there’s no guarantee that everybody survives and everybody’s okay at the end.
“I think when you get to a third movie like this, it’s important to be able to have different things happen, and to be able to surprise the audience. After the investment that they have in the characters, after having been with them this long, you need to take them somewhere that pays off in a way that you can’t get in a single movie.
“There’s a lot of emotion related to the fact that we’ve been with these characters over the years, so when things change, it’s very impactful.” See article on this page. (Walmer Park, Boardwalk, Bridge, Hemingways)
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