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Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb

Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb

2014

PG

Director

Shawn Levy

Runtime

98 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

When the magic powers of The Tablet of Ahkmenrah begin to die out, Larry Daley spans the globe, uniting favorite and new characters while embarking on an epic quest to save the magic before it is gone forever.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

4.5/10

Fair


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The film follows a traditional heteronormative framework. No non-cisnormative gender identities or same-sex romantic narratives appear within the primary ensemble.

Gender Representation

Fair

The story centers on male-driven adventure and paternal bonds. While female characters exist, they occupy secondary roles that do not disrupt traditional gender hierarchies.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Excellent

The film excels by centering Ahkmenrah, granting significant agency to a non-Western figure. The ensemble uses the museum setting to showcase a wide array of global cultures.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Fair

The narrative treats Western institutions with playful irreverence rather than rigid reverence. However, the story remains grounded in standard Western adventure tropes.

Disability Representation

Limited

There is no significant focus on visible or invisible disabilities. Characters are defined by historical roles rather than neurodivergence or physical impairments.

Strengths

  • The film challenges the white-savior trope by centering Ahkmenrah as a high-agency, non-Western figure.
  • The diverse ensemble cast effectively utilizes the museum setting to showcase global intersectionality.
  • The 'mash-up' style deconstructs historical silos to present a pluralistic view of human history.

Areas for Improvement

  • The narrative lacks representation for LGBTQ+ identities and non-cisnormative gender expressions.
  • Female characters are relegated to secondary roles that do not challenge traditional gender hierarchies.
  • There is a lack of meaningful representation or agency for characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

AI Analysis

The film serves as a bridge between traditional blockbuster storytelling and more progressive, intersectional casting. It successfully disrupts Western-centric museum narratives by granting agency to non-Western historical figures. However, the structural reliance on conventional gender hierarchies and a lack of LGBTQ+ or disability representation limits its impact. The narrative remains anchored in traditional hero-journey tropes and paternal dynamics. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its pluralistic view of human history, even as it adheres to standard adventure frameworks.

How are these scores produced? →

Featured in

  • Best Racial & Ethnic Representation in Film
  • Racial & Ethnic Representation in Comedy

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Movie poster for Night at the Museum

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Diversity score: 3.5 out of 10

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