The Mummy/The Mummy Returns [2001]

On the DVD: This two-disc "Special Edition" is a treat for fans of the franchise. The first disc has an anamorphic widescreen print of the movie in its 2.35:1 CinemaScope ratio, and a choice of Dolby 5.1 or DTS for the headache-inducing soundtrack. There's a decent commentary from the director and producer, plus a couple of DVD-ROM features. Disc 2 has all the usual stuff, including a 20-minute "making-of" documentary, a five-minute interview with the Rock about The Scorpion King, plus an exclusive trailer for it that is unsurprisingly reminiscent of Conan the Barbarian. There are also some detailed special effects breakdowns of key sequences, a blooper reel of outtakes and a virtual tour of the Universal theme park attraction "The Mummy Returns Chamber of Doom". Sundry trailers, production notes, a music video and an "Egyptology 201" text feature round out a well-loaded second disc. --Mark Walker

And in many ways it is not, the quiet character development that so was so charming in the first one is rather pushed aside in this head long rush into a pace that never stops for breath. You are nearly exhausted by the end!!

However, after the initial grump about it not being as good, I have since viewed it several times. And the more I view it the more I like it. The humour is there, brilliantly delivered by Brandon Fraser, like after rescuing his wife from being killed by the resurrected mummy, they are escaping and she pauses to pull a bench to block a door, and he gently said in his typically comic Brandon voice, "Honey, what are you doing? There guys don't use doors." The kid is precious without being TOO CUTE. Especially fun is his interplay with his kidnappers - ala Ransom of Red Chief, bugging them with "are we there yet?" so typically bored kid!! Also, with the female capture when she tells him to behave and he replies, "I don't behave for my parents, so what make you think I will for you?"

You get eye candy in the female fight scenes, wonderfully staged. A whole returning crew, the the minor leads in the first one playing much more prominent roles, and with reason!!

So if you enjoyed it, just not as much, trying a few repeat viewings and you might be surprised. I was. I found I liked it more each time!!


Perhaps a lil' corny in places, but excellent fun   October 8, 2001
Rowena English (Northamptonshire, England)
18 out of 20 found this review helpful

Although there are certain points in this film where you feel like asking the person next to you to pass the sick bag, it is great fun and you can look forward to meeting all the well-loved characters from the first movie, and an appearance from the ROCK which can't be bad. Brendan Frasier and Rachel Weisz are excellent as are all the other actors and the action and fight scenes are amazing. Another good thing is that although there are various twists along the way you don't have to think too much so you can just sit back and enjoy some good old fashioned guns, swords and goody vs. baddy fights! You'll love it!!! P.S. If anyone else is as interested in films as I am then please e-mail me or contact me on msn messenger!! I look forward to speaking to you soon.


Rocket science this aint   October 19, 2001
13 out of 15 found this review helpful

Let's face it, when a sequel like this is fast-tracked out so quickly after the original, people should KNOW that it's only going to be pop-corn, "give me my film and don't ask me any sodding questions" stuff! The Mummy Returns is a great example of Bigger, Badder, Louder. Like I said, the plot isn't exactly rocket science; and yes, it does on occasion require the viewer to totally suspend common sense. But on the other hand, it's delightfully cheesy, and you can't help but think that Steven Sommers is playing it totally tongue-in-cheek. In the end, the whole film feels like a classic hark back to the days of Hammer Horror - just on a bigger effects budget.

Speaking of...

... the effects really are very diverse in this movie (in many different meanings of the word!) There are thousands of different effects shots to get your teeth into, from an enormous army of Magi, to an even enormous-er army of Anubis warriors, and a horde of pygmy mummies. All of these are incredibly impressive. HOWEVER (and Rock fans, I'm sorry) thr much-touted Scorpion King is, frankly, piss-poor. Thank-god it's only on-screen for about five minutes before going back to it's under-developed effects bin.

But to balance out the effects - and I know this goes against what I said about it being a bit thin on the ground plot wise - you DO have a bit more character developement. Do remember, I only said a BIT. On the one hand, you have Imhotep and Anksunamun's love affair (Patricia Velasquez, you are a FOX!!!); and on the other, you have Rick's fatherly attitude towards Alex (his chase through the forest to keep ahead of the sun-rise genuinely put me on the edge of my seat). OK< so the Evey-Anksunamun backstory was of the UBER-CHEESE, bit it was still really enjoyable on a hokey level. And, for those of you who love Neighbours - Pharoe Lou Carpenter puts in a brief cameo appearance, complete with beard.

So there we go. It's a loud, brash, no-brainer that consists of chases, fisticuffs, stomach-churning romance... and ok, the occasional moment that DOES make you frown and go "oh, COME ON" (see the EXTRA CHEESY shot of O'Connell grabbing the spear mid-air.) Still though, it's definately worth getting - for PAtricia Velasquez in a number of increasingly foxy getups as a basic reason - and as long as you don't expect it to be Kubrick-meets-Hammer, you'll love it to pieces.


PURE ENTERTAINMENT...   December 2, 2002
Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle)
13 out of 14 found this review helpful

This is a razzle, dazzle, knock you out of your seat with special effects, kind of movie. It is non-stop entertainment, and a worthy sequel to its predecessor, "The Mummy". Even though the plot is thin, and character development is almost non-existent, I still thoroughly enjoyed the movie.

Archaeologists Rick (Brendan Fraser) and Evie (Rachel Weisz) have tied the knot since the original movie and have an eight year old son, Alex, adorably played by Freddie Boath. While on an archaeological dig in Egypt, they recover a special, golden bracelet which conveys special powers to the person who wears it. Alex, not knowing this, puts on the bracelet which had, at one time, belonged to the Scorpion King, played by wrestler, The Rock.

Evie's brother (John Hannah deliciously reprises his original role) is mistaken for Rick, as mysterious emissaries try to kill him in an attempt to recover the bracelet on behalf of the evil Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo reprising his original role). As Evie and Rick continue to do battle against these evil, murderous emissaries, the mysterious and devastatingly attractive, Medjai warrior, Ardeth Bay (Oded Fehr also reprising his original role), joins them in their battle against evil.

In this sequel, past and present collide, and reincarnation adds its own interesting, little twist to the plot. For my money, Oded Fehr walks away with the movie, as Ardeth Bay is such a compelling character: sexy, swashbuckling, and mystical, all rolled into one. He is definitely my favorite character. I hope that we will see even more of him in the next sequel. (Who are we kidding? Of course, there will be another sequel!)

The only negative thing that I have to say about the movie has to do with the animation of the Scorpion King at the end. It is too cartoonish. I found it jarring and distracting, as it did not seem to fit with the other graphics used throughout the movie, which were great. It made me give the movie four stars, rather than the five I would probably have given had this concept not been so annoying. It was unnecessary to have this cheesy looking animation, as it detracted from the movie and downgraded its overall quality.

Still, see this movie. It is escapism at its best, as well as pure entertainment.