Night at the Museum (PG) <!-- none onestar twostar threestar fourstar fivestar -->

This is one of those family Christmas movies that wants to make history, like, fun for kids. If the kids have any sense they'll stay at home with their Xboxes.

Ben Stiller plays a nightwatchman at a New York history museum where the exhibits come alive, which is more than can be said of an ancient supporting cast that includes Mickey Rooney and Dick Van Dyke; for the younger generation Owen Wilson and Steve Coogan battle it out as a Wild West cowboy and a Roman general, while Ricky Gervais contributes a deeply unfunny cameo as the museum director.

The digimation is meant to recreate the wonders of the past, but when the script offers so little in the way of freshness or fun it all looks a dreadful waste of time and money.

Released 26 December