Mummy 2, The - The Return > Reviews (100)

The very surprise Box Office smash of 1999 makes a comeback here in the very same style. Following the receipts from both the US and here, it was unlikely that the directors/writers/publishers and also the actors would turn down a second go! And it has arrived, in full surround sound! From the opening sequence of the army of the Scorpian King destroying ancient Egypt, to the collapsing pyramid at the end, the sound is matched only by the graphics!

It is quite rare for a large hit to retain it's whole cast for a sequel, but the Mummy has been fortunate to keep the actors together. The stunning Rachel Weisz returns without the librarians uniform she wore throughout the first movie, and is accompanied by on screen husband Brendan Fraser and their son Alex (played by Freddie Boath). Also returning are the guardians of Egypt, they have some official title, but how am I supposed to remember that? and a new set of badies, led by Evie (Weisz)'s curator at the British museum. Until Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo) is brought back from the dead.

The plot literally flies from start to end, with most of the infrequent sentimental or academic scenes from the first film removed. The makers have realised why people want to see this film. So what is this film all about. You will remember at the end of the first film Imhotep was buried in the city of the dead. Well it is the British curator and Imhotep's reincarnated wife's job to find him. Which they do. In the mean time our heroes, accompanied by their son, who steals the show from under Weisz and Fraser's nose, which is more difficult then it seems, as these two put in brilliant performances of their own, are looting an ancient temple, where they find a secret bracelet. For some reason some of the baddies show up, apparently looking for the bracelet, but Alex saves the day when he accidently knocks through the wall of the temple, to free his trapped and drowning parents.

However, the O'Connells have this bracelet, which clever Alex decides to put on. Soon he is the only one to lead anyone to the Scorpian King who will rise after 5000 years slumber to rule the Earth with his army of the devil. The prophesy tells that whoever kills the Scorpian King should gain control of his armies, and this is Imhotep's aim. In the mean time he calls back his wife, and they set off across Egypt on a nice train. Alex , cunning as he is, leaves clues to the destinations by building castles out of sand.

Sorry, confusing you already. Alex has at this point been kidnapped and is being taken by Imhotep across Egypt.

Here is where I bring my title into play, because in a film filled with mummies, ancient armies of the undead, resurrections and stone dog like creatures, what happens next appears absurd. The O'Connells have dropped the plane transport from their last film and instead travel in a jet proppelled balloon. I'm sorry, but in 1931 this seems slightly out of place, and makes this movie stretch the limits of the imagination. Strange that, since you'd think the whole film would do this, that it is this bit which really rankled me. Anyway, I won't tell you how it ends, as if you can't guess, but I recommend you go see this film.

It has jumps without being scary, and perhaps even better, it is funny without appearing fake, mainly thanks to the great performance put in by John Hannah as the snivelling cowardly brother in law.