It doesn't take much pleading on Jedediah's part to get Larry to agree. Well, as long as Larry makes it to his morning meeting. So after snatching a security pass in a hilarious exchange with one of the play-by-the-rules guards (Jonah Hill in a memorable cameo), Larry immediately goes to work and eventually makes his way to the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. where he must sneak into the archives (which is strictly off limits to civilians) and recover the stolen gold tablet that evil Pharaoh Kahmunrah (a lisping, cloying Hank Azaria) is also on the prowl for. It's not the easiest of tasks, of course, but the viewer can't help but root for Larry every step of the way.

The change of venue, not to mention all the film's creative little touches, offers plenty of new thrills for the viewer. With the audience's often A-D-D mentality in mind, the script is jam-packed with a slew of new characters, funny dialogue and a thrill-a-minute action sequences. Among the new additions to the pack, Amy Adams is definitely a highlight as Amelia Earhart, a fiercely independent woman in the manner of Katharine Hepburn with a witty retort for everything.

As the first woman to fly across the Atlantic, Amelia is always encouraging Larry to embrace the adventure in life, but isn't so one-dimensional that she can't enjoy a little romance. Even the surrounding cherubs (voiced by the Jonas Brothers) floating above the nearby fountains can't help but sing cheery pop songs as the cute couple passes. And the cheesy tracks they choose for these moments provide plenty of extra laughs in the process.

Even a few Einstein bobbleheads (voiced by Eugene Levy) and Abraham Lincoln (Azaria again) team up with Larry and Amelia to help solve the mysteries at the Smithsonian, a journey that's not only fun, but probably helps serve as more positive P.R. for kids embracing history at a nearby museum. Or at the very least redeems the past couple of choices that Stiller has made in choosing comedies to star in.
 
CAUTIONS:

• Drugs/Alcohol:  None.
• Language/Profanity:  Several exclamations of God's name, plus a couple of the milder expletives.
• Sex/Nudity:  Larry and Amelia share a couple of kisses.
• Violence:  There are a few fight scenes between various rivals that are more comedic than truly mean. And yes, that slapping Capuchin monkey is back, giving Larry a few smacks to his face. 
  
   

Christa Banister is a full-time freelancer writer, specializing in music, movies and books-related reviews and interviews and is the author of two novels, Around the World in 80 Dates and Blessed Are the Meddlers. Based in St. Paul, Minn., she also weighs in on various aspects of pop culture on her personal blog. 

For more information, including her upcoming book signings and sample chapters of her novels, check out her Website.