A Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb just gets away with it but should probably stop at 3

REVIEW: The novelty hasn’t quite worn off A Night at the Museum, but the franchise probably should stop with this third instalment.

Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (PG)

Director: Shawn Levy (Real Steel)

Starring: Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Owen Wilson, Steve Coogan, Ricky Gervais, Dan Stevens, Rebel Wilson, Ben Kingsley.

Rating: 3 stars

Same old night at brand new site

Followers of the Night at the Museum franchise will be content enough with this third offering, which sees Ben Stiller and friends leaving America behind for a tour of duty in England.

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The core charm of the series has always revolved around fusty old museum exhibits coming to life after opening hours, and the novelty still hasn’t quite worn off. Any further additions to the collection would be pushing the friendship, however.

The principal storytelling focus this time around is the fabled Tablet of Ahkmenrah, the abacus-like device whose magic powers are credited for bringing ancient historical figures back from the dead.

Poignant reminder ... A Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb features Robin Williams in one of his final performances. He’s pictured here with Mizuo Peck, Ben Stiller, Rami Malek and Patrick Gallagher.

During a gala reopening of the American Museum of Natural History, former security guard-turned-curator Larry (Stiller) has reason to suspect the Tablet may losing its powers.

The likes of Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams), Attila the Hun (Patrick Gallagher), Jedediah (Owen Wilson), Octavius (Steve Coogan) and the caveman Laa (Stiller again) are in danger of turning permanently into wax once more.

Dreadlock holiday ... Ben Stiller and Aussie Rebel Wilson in Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb.

With the reluctant blessing of his snooty boss (Ricky Gervais), Larry packs up his friends and makes tracks for the British Museum, where an ancient pharaoh (Ben Kingsley) may know how to reverse the curse that is slowly ruining the Tablet of Ahkmenrah.

The change of scenery to London does liven things up slightly, largely due to the introduction of two strong new characters to the franchise.

Lancelot (Downton Abbey’s Dan Stevens) is a treacherous Arthurian knight who has his own agenda when comes to the plight of the Tablet.

Lancelot ... Downton Abbey fans will enjoy Dan Stevens as an addition to the Night at the Museum family.

Tilly (Australia’s Rebel Wilson) is the museum security officer who is not as oblivious to all the strange goings-on during her shift as it first seems.

Though Stiller in the leading role seems clearly a bit tired of the familiar antics in play here, the rest of the cast catch on to the spirit of the occasion with energetic performances.

The prominence of the late Robin Williams (in one of his final screen appearances) throughout also adds a layer of poignancy to proceedings that will sincerely move many of his fans.

Originally published as A Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb just gets away with it but should probably stop at 3