After the unexpected success of The Mummy, it was inevitable that a second movie (and soon to be third movie) would follow. With the success came a great deal of expectation making this one of the most sought out movies for a few years. With the addition of a major Wrestling star (the Rock) and the original cast still intact, it seemed that the makers were onto a winner.
It is always hard to make a sequel; movies like Jaws 2, Terminator 2, Rocky 2 have never quite lived up to the hype and while they attempted to be different from the first movie they never managed to elevate themselves to the same level as the first movie.
The only movie I think has approached the first movie in quality is Aliens 2.
<The Mummy Returns>
Brendan Fraser, who is starting to become a major blockbusting star, returns to his role as swashbuckling Rick O’Connel. Since the first movie he has managed to marry Evie (played by beautiful and talented Rachel Weisz) and also managed to produce a son and heir to his vast fortune that he has gained from his adventuring. We find ourselves at their Stately home in England as this movie moves some of the action to England and then moves us all around the
world.
Yet again we find an evil archaeolgist intent on world destruction; this time he plans to raise the ‘Mummy’ Imhotep and give him command of an undead army of Annubis. This army is normally commanded by the Scorpion King, and despite its vastness, we see the Scorpion King defeated early on and sell his soul for immortality.
Somehow the O’Connels become embroiled in a frantic race. Alex, the aforementioned son of Rick and Evie, puts on the bracelet of the Scorpion King. Unfortunately he cannot remove this bracelet and has only seven days to find a pyramid before he dies. Luckily, the bracelet seems to be an early form of video camera as it spews out a tumultuous amount of holographic direcetions.
Meanwhile Ancksunamen, Imhotep’s love has been reincarnated and kidnaps the boy, her intentions to find the pyramid, raise the Scorpion King, have the Mummy defeat him, thus gaining control of the army of Annubis. Lost? Me too!
What follows is a frantic race against time as the O’Connels attempt to follow their son (he is his father’s son, escapes once, and manages to leave clues along the way.). Highlights include and excellent double-decker bus chase, with some super duels, some great computerized animation (including The Rock as a scorpion) and a clever knife fight between Evie and Ancksunamen (it should be pointed out that this happens in Evie’s previous life when she just happens to be the daughter of the Emperor murdered by Imhotep! DOH I knew that!)
The movie moves to an obvious conclusion with some pretty effective computer graphics and animation. Basically a fight ensues between Good and Evil (and Evil) and against all odds….guess who wins!
<My Opinion>
While I enjoyed the first movie with its combination of Indiana Jones and Clash of the Titans, I didn’t really see anything new in the sequel. The plot was slightly intriguing, introducing the Scorpion King; although this only really serves as an introduction to the next movie.
Like the first movie, the makers concentrated more on action sequences, Indiana Jones type humour and computer graphics rather than producing a tight plot without any flaws. Some of the characters introduced in this movie were a little to ‘tongue-in-cheek’ spoiling what could have been a great movie.
The special effects were similar to the first movie, using spectacular computer graphics to bring to life an army of evil dudes. Many of the monsters were impressive, particularly the Scorpion that had surprising speed and agility.
The characters were generally the same as the first movie, although Evie strangely became very proficient in martial arts as the producers tried to add a ‘Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon’ feel to much of the combat.
The acting was good but was really overshadowed by the computerized graphics. I wonder at what stage this movie series will become totally computer generated removing the need for actors.
The sets, scenery, pyramids, temples, and cities were all very well done, adding much atmosphere to the movie.
<A Few Questions to ponder>
In the ‘Mummy’ it was essential that Imhotep’s body parts be reclaimed in order for full resurrection to occur; in The Mummy Returns, this was not needed. There was no explanation why the resurrection was so much easier the second time around?
In the first movie there was no mention of the heroine having visions, why would they suddenly start occurring several years later? Perhaps this is a strange effect of having a baby; obviously as I am a man, I didn’t know of this side effect! DOH!
How come Ancksunamen is resurrected? Surely she would have also have been resurrected in the previous movie? What I mean is that in this movie her reincarnation turns up to allow her spirit inhabit her body – so why go through all the trouble of using Evie in the first movie?
<Conclusion>
This movie is by no means a classic. There are major flaws in the plot that spoil the movie. The movie seems to be more about the special effects (in a similar way that Terminator 2 was) and this detracts from some good acting performances.
As an action movie this is not a bad movie, but for those wanting a little more suspense and intrigue, then there really is no better movie than the original ‘archaeological’ series – Indiana Jones.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 2000 - Horror - Director: Keenen Ivory Wayans - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Carmen Electra, Anna Faris, Kurt Fuller, James Van Der Beek, Keenen Ivory Wayans
A great op - thanks! I love the first Mummy film and enjoyed this, though I thought the effects weren't as good, particularly the Scorpion King at the end. I thought they would have been able to do better, he looked quite plastic! Jess x
Advantages: brilliant acting, great special effects, tonnes of special features, cheap Disadvantages: feels as if special effects are prioty over acting, storyline wasn't as good
Oct 9th, 2001
very helpful by (100%):
