A newly recruited night security guard at the Museum of Natural History discovers that an ancient curse causes the animals and exhibits on display to come to life and wreak havoc.
In New York, unemployed and divorced Larry Daley is a complete loser. His son Nick is very disappointed with his father who is going to be evicted. Larry accepts the job of night watchman in the Museum of Natural History and takes the place of three old security guards that have just retired in order to raise some money and pay his bills. On his first shift, Larry soon realizes that everything at the museum is not as it seems as the statues begin to come to life after the sun sets. The Museum transforms into complete chaos with the inexperienced Larry in charge as he learns that an old Egyptian stone that came to the Museum in 1950 brings these statues to life until dawn. When Larry brings his son to spend a night with him, the three old guards break into the Museum to try to steal the magical stone. Larry organizes all the historic characters to help him stop the criminals and save the museum.
Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The TV news report mentioning cave drawings in the subway shows a quick shot of the 81st St. subway station in New York, which is indeed the correct subway stop for the American Museum of Natural History. Many NY subway stations include wall tiling that incorporates mosaics and artistic patterns in themes related to the station's neighborhood. The subway cave drawings shown in the film are actually part of the tile art in the station, relating to the museum itself.
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Goofs
Continuity:
When Larry and Nick are in Central Park at the beginning of the movie, the building with two towers is visible behind Larry. When they turn to leave the park, the building is still behind Larry. However, in the immediate scene following, the same building is now in front of Nick and Larry.
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Quotes
[first lines]
Taxi Driver:
[as Larry walks into the street]
Hey, watch it! See more »
Crazy Credits
During the film's end credit sequence, two scenes featuring the characters
played by Dick Van Dyke, Mickey Rooney, and Bill Cobbs appear on the side.
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"Weapon Of Choice"
(2000) Written by Ashley Slater (as Ashley William Slater), Sly Stone (as Sylvester Stewart), Bootsy Collins (as William Earl Collins), Fatboy Slim (as Norman Cook), Mista Lawnge (as William R. McLean) and Andres Titus Performed by Fatboy Slim featuring Bootsy Collins Courtesy of Astralwerks Under license from EMI Film & Television Music Bootsy Collins appears courtesy of WEA Records Germany
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