I saw this movie with my 14-year-old daughter and her two friends. It was an engaging movie, which kept pretty close to the book, and I would recommend it as a very entertaining way to spend a few hours. If you don't want to hear teenage girls go crazy every time Jacob takes off his shirt [which is quite a lot], you should wait to see it on dvd.
Remember the old slapstick Disney movies, often starring Kurt Russell, that were so much fun? My kids and I got the same enjoyment out of this sequel to A Night at the Museum. While its not going to win an Oscar for best picture, it made for a fun evening, with a couple of belly laughs rolled in.
J.J. Abrams makes a brilliant commercial move in his version of Star Trek by exploiting the parallel universe sci-fi plot to create unlimited storytelling opportunities without stepping on the toes of the original franchise. The movie gave us quite a ride, but I left wondering about the back story of the original Shatner team and how the Kirk who had known his father had come to lead the Enterprise and its crew to places no one had gone before.
My seven-year-old daughter says I should say this "is the best movie you ever saw." I might not go that far myself, but it was certainly one of the more enjoyable experiences I have had at a children's show. In addition, my family's experience makes clear that this film appeals to a wide range of ages. My seven-year-old enjoyed it, as did my 12-year-old daughter. It was an excellent period piece, giving my daughters insight into what life must have been like for families trying to survive the depression intact. It also provided my kids with examples of compassion and reminded me of the need to work with my children on serving our community with compassion.