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Member since:19.06.2005
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The Mummy Returns, written and directed by Stephen (Van Helsing) Sommers, is a big budget special effects-driven action extravaganza. However, it's not a particularly good one, especially when you compare it to films such as Spider-man or X-men. It went on to spawn an even worse third film, The Scorpion King, which was a spin off from a minor character in this film.
The story picks up in 1933 after the events of the first film, and the evil mummy Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo, who recently starred in 24 as Marwan) is awoken in the British Museum by some people who want to use him to defeat the army of Anubis, which is being led by the great warrior, the Scorpion King (played by The Rock). Imhotep continues his quest for immortality, helped by his reincarnated lover Anak-su-Namun, and it's up to the O'Connells (Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz) to stop him. However, the Scorpion King's army has been summoned by the bracelet of Anubis, and when these two evil forces collide, the fate of the world hangs in the balance.
Meanwhile, Evy O'Connell is having visions of a previous life, where she witnessed the killing of her father by Imhotep and Anak-su-Namun. Got it?
The obvious place to start when reviewing a film like this is the action. And, even though I'm not a huge fan of The Mummy Returns, I have to admit the action sequences are amazing. Whether it's the opening scenes with Anubis' army, Fraser and the gang being chased through London on a double-decker bus by a horde of angry mummies, the scene where they are being chased in a balloon by a huge face of water (don't ask), or the spectacular battle finale; every action sequence is done with flair and (mostly) brilliant effects, some of the best that I've ever seen.
However, that really is all I like about the film. The plot is confusing and nowhere near as good as the original, I mean the plagues in the first film were brilliant, but they've been replaced with over-the-top battle sequences and ridiculous explosions. The tone of the film has completely changed from a horror movie with some action, to an action movie with comedy, which I think is a big mistake. We have John Hannah in there just for comedy value, cracking terrible one-liners so we don't get bored. Brendan Fraser has a go at comedy too, with equally pathetic results, and surely he is one of the most irritating actors in Hollywood. He made me cringe all the way through. When he says "You, lighten up, you, big trouble, you, get in the car" I almost felt like dying.
The acting from the rest of the cast isn't that much better. Rachel Weisz's posh accent and know-it-all attitude gets really annoying, as does their bratty son Alex, who we are probably supposed to find "cute". The Rock obviously can't act, because he's a wrestler, so I wasn't expecting much from him, and Arnold Vosloo only has to stand there looking evil and pulling funny faces.
I suppose the direction from Sommers isn't bad, he certainly has a flair for action, but too often he swaps story and character for special effects (as shown in Van Helsing) and slow-motion fights. The grand finale is certainly pleasing on the eye, but I don't think it actually makes sense. The script is not bad really, considering that the plot is a bit theatrical, and the music is actually quite good, very Indiana Jones-ish, and just the right side of over-the-top. So maybe I was telling a lie when I said the action is the only good part.
However, I think it's unforgivable when a sequel exactly copies a scene from its original and re-uses it. The part from The Mummy with Imhotep's face in the sand chasing them in the plane has been transformed into… a face of water, chasing them in a plane. Quite possibly the most obvious lack of ideas I have ever seen. Also, I mentioned that most of the special effects were good. This is because at the end, when the Scorpion King comes to life, it is some of the most unrealistic special effects I have ever seen, it looks just like a computer game, and it ruins it for me. And the closing scenes are naff.
So, overall I wouldn't recommend it to any serious film buffs who expect top quality acting, and I probably wouldn't even recommend it to anyone who is a big fan of action films, because they will be disappointed. However, if you really liked the first film, and you just want a loud, exciting night in, the action and special effects are good enough to make this just about worth watching.
It is fairly easy to buy; it should be in most high street or online stores because it's pretty recent (2001). I don't have the DVD, so I can't tell you anything about the features, but the cheapest price I could find for the DVD was £5.99 from www.sendit.com.
Director: Stephen Sommers Starring: Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo, Oded Fehr, Patricia Felasquez, The Rock Running Time: 125 minutes Rating: 12
Pictures of The Mummy Returns (DVD)
Rick O'Connell
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Just picked up on that very subtle hint on my latest review, so though I'd check your review out. I agree that the first film was better, but still really enjoyed this one. Lisa x
patriciat 14.08.2005 18:32
Sounds like the Mummy should have stayed where it was. Pat.t x
MAFARRIMOND 12.07.2005 10:00
I haven't seen it but it doesn't sound as if I've missed much. Maureen
Proving that bigger is rarely better,The Mummy Returnsserves up so much action and so many ... more
computer-generated effects that it quickly grows exhausting. In his zeal to establish a lucrative franchise, writer-director Stephen Sommers dispenses with such ...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
From the makers of The Mummy comes one of the biggest action adventure blockbusters of ... more
all-time with jaw dropping special effects and non stop entertainment.When a chain of events finds the corpse of Imhotep (Vosloo) resurrected in the British Museum, ...
Proving that bigger is rarely better,The Mummy Returnsserves up so much action and so many ... more
computer-generated effects that it quickly grows exhausting. In his zeal to establish a lucrative franchise, writer-director Stephen Sommers dispenses with such ...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Set in 1933 ten years after the events in the first film Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser) ... more
is married to Evelyn (Rachel Weisz) and the couple has settled in London raising their 9-year-old son Alex (Freddie Boath). When a chain of events finds the co...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Advantages: Not too gory. Has a bit of everything - action, adventure, comedy, historical interest and love... Disadvantages: A little disappointing with some of the special effects.
Leighsa 13.12.2008 (13.12.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of The Mummy Returns (DVD)
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
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
Advantages: Not too gory. Has a bit of everything - action, adventure, comedy, historical interest and love... Disadvantages: A little disappointing with some of the special effects.
Leighsa 13.12.2008 (13.12.2008)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of The Mummy Returns (DVD)
![The Mummy Returns [DVD] [2001]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78498976.jpg "The Mummy Returns [DVD] [2001]")
Jun 24th, 2005
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