Review: The Mummy Returns Is More Temple Of Doom Than Last Crusade
- Jun 3, 2017
- 2 min read
As with all successful blockbusters, The Mummy got itself a sequel, The Mummy Returns. While it should have been a no brainer, different mummy, different powers, different world saving gimmick. Simple right? Well, not so much.
Following their previous adventure regarding the undead, Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser) and Evelyn (Rachel Weisz) have gone and gotten themselves a tiny, immensely annoying child, Alex (Freddie Boath). When the three discover an ancient bracelet, one belonging to the legendary Scorpion King (Dwayne Johnson) they set in motion an ancient prophecy. At the same time a group of fanatics are unearthing Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo) once again, this time under the command of a familiar face from long ago.
While the action is easily as good as it was the first time around, and Fraser's Indiana Jones impression still holds up, The Mummy Returns introduces a plot so convoluted that it seems almost farcical. Here we go. (SPOILERS AHOY) Rick is part of an ancient prophecy, destined to protect the world, Evelyn in a reborn Egyptian princess, their enemies are led by Imhotep's lover, also reborn in her ancient Egyptian form. There's an army of gods, commanded by The Rock who is literally part scorpion and there's probably a bunch of other stuff I totally forgot about because good god this movie is loaded with some terrible story telling.
To go along with the abysmal plot, we have a few choice effects, most notorious of which is the Scorpion King in his final form. While the CG in the original wasn't exactly excellent, it is surprisingly well done for a film of its time. The sequel however, doesn't come close. Add to this a deplorable child actor whose every word brings pain and suffering and you've got what should be a recipe for disaster. And yet, strangely enough, it's still pretty fun.
While it's not even close to being as good as the first, The Mummy Returns remains a decent bit of mindless entertainment. Perhaps it's how bad it is, combined with Fraser's but The Mummy Returns is a lot of fun. It's a pity the cannot be said of the sequel.
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