Ok..let me get one thing straight. I loved the first film. It was suitably silly with enought violence to keep me happy. Fine, there was no 'real' plot to think of, but the action kept me happy.
This film trys more of the same, but suffers the problems of having to resurect the main baddie, make a new plot, and fit enough film time for the Rock's ego to be satisfiesd in one media freindly bite.
Allrighty. First thing. The Rock was actually good int his film. Admittedly..all he had to do was shout a lot and wave a sharp stick around, but his screen prescence was admirable.
The problem with ressurecting the main baddie was easily delt with. That is to say..it was skipped over ("oh! and by the way, did we mention that Imhotep was back?"). Thats that done with.
Now, the problems. First thing, the small boy... All he serves is to water down what should have been a balls over brains action film with silly sentiment.
Second, i would liked to have seen more of acient Egypt. Too much of this film was set in London. On a related point, the sets in this venue were poorly lit and poorly designed (while the sets in Egypt were frankly brilliant).
Thirdly, the plot, seemed too choppy for its own good. I like the first (as i think ive said), as it was a plot with the fat skimmed off. This cuts the plot into meaty chunks (read set piece battles). This lack of 'good' linking material cripples the film a little.
The direction also seems odd too. A lot of the time the fight scenes were filmed in 'Gladiator' (or 'Saving Private Ryan') cam (you know the one im sure). This seems a little off considering the subject matter. Often, this camera technique is used in the 'wrong' places (like after the sword fighters had finished duelling)
Despite this, Some of the direction does add to the 'wow' factor of the film (example, the final fight scene).Also, the fight scene in ancient Egypt (which is never really explianed) is truely excellent, far better than a few fight scenes in the Marix (*gasp*). It features a high speed battle, with superb choreography and a great soundtrack between two scantily clad women.
Brilliance
Overall, this film isnt that good. The first was better in my humble opinion. However, I would recommend this as a sort of vitial (ish) part of the story. Oh, and it looks good after the first 35mins too.
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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
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
Jan 15th, 2002
very helpful by (91%):
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