Μύ Ben Stiller is the main attraction at Night At The Museum, but he's surrounded by comedy A-listers from Hollywood relic Mickey Rooney to old pal Owen Wilson. The result is a "rare family treat" based on Milan Trenc's novel, exploiting childhood fantasies about museum exhibits that come to life at closing time. Some grumpy critics bemoaned the lack of educational value, which is perhaps why it went on to become one of the biggest box office hits of 2006...
The Story Of Evolution
Going by his audio commentary, director Shawn Levy was perhaps aiming a little too high when he announces the intention to blend "gravitas and magic". Writers Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon obviously had other ideas, which are expressed in a much more light-hearted alternative track. They reckon that one of the biggest changes they made to Trenc's story is dropping 'The' from the front end of the title… Later on, however, they do tone down the wisecracks and explain why they added characters and stripped down a subplot involving pioneer puppets Lewis and Clark and their quest to find the Northwest Passage.
Lewis and Clark (Martin Christopher and Martin Sims) snatch back a bit of the limelight in a selection of eight deleted scenes. Always dogged in their search for new trading routes, they end up taking a New York City bus, which sadly stops short of the frontier. There's also an alternative opening scene that finds Larry (Ben Stiller) quibbling with 'The Man' over an unpaid cable bill. In an optional commentary, Levy admits, "It wasn't comedic and it felt small." (Hey, if he wanted gravitas, he should have called Morgan Freeman!)
Going Primeval
"It's really a father-son story," says Levy in a standard Making Of featurette. He also talks a lot about the casting, managing to net even the cream of British comedy talent (Ricky Gervais and Steve Coogan) to fill the supporting parts. The actors throw us a few soundbites between lighting set-ups, but there's surprisingly little discussion of visual effects. A featurette called Bringing The Museum To Life investigates Larry's face-off with the T-Rex mainly from Stiller's point of view (having to act opposite thin air). Levy helps him out by jumping on the furniture and making growling noises. Move over James Cameron...
Stiller also had to grapple with Dexter the monkey, who once again shows off that mean uppercut in Monkey Business. Apparently it was Stiller's idea to spank the Capuchin and Levy was intent on making it look as real as possible. "It's sick," he admits, "but funny." Don't worry though, folks, no animals were harmed in the making of this film. However, the same can't be said for Robin Williams, whose pride receives a major blow in the bloopers reel. Dexter shows he's a harsh critic by pooping on his shoulder during a scene! (Maybe he saw Flubber...)
A music video by McFly and a hi-tech T-Rex jigsaw puzzle are thrown in for younger viewers. Ultimately there's no danger of anyone learning too much from this DVD, but even an Easter Island Moai might crack a smile (look it up, kids!).
EXTRA FEATURES
Stranger Than Fiction DVD is released on Monday 2nd April 2007.
