Although the DVD cover of this BBC series evokes the popular Night in the Museum comedies, this is neither an adventure nor a fantasy film, but rather an educational series that employs game-show challenges and gimmicks to teach history lessons, using artifacts as focal points and beat-the-clock contests to liven up lessons. The premise: after hours at the British Museum, a ghost named Agatha (Gemma Arrowsmith) plays host and cheerleader to a trio of schoolchildren (a different threesome participates in each installment) who attempt to solve a puzzle and challenge the Dark Lord (who looks like he doubles as the mascot of a satanic metal band) in a quiz regarding their assigned relic. The youngsters are not actors, but they are good sports, while Agatha comes off as a cross between an enthusiastic docent and a modern Mary Poppins (although adults are likely to find her running commentary and nonstop enthusiasm insufferable). The series doesn't shy away from the kinds of icky details (including minutiae on how mummies were preserved in ancient Egypt) that fascinate children, but ultimately it's neither very informative as history nor very interesting as interactive kids programming, which may be why it lasted for only 13 episodes in Britain. Compiling four episodes from 2010, this is not a necessary purchase. (S. Axmaker)
Guardians of the Museum
BBC, 120 min., not rated, DVD: $18.95 February 9, 2015
Guardians of the Museum
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