From Deseret News archives:
Elegy
Mummy Returns, The
Film review
Now, two years later, the movie looks somewhat better than it did on initial viewing and is remembered a bit more fondly, thanks to so many worse things that have come in its wake. And the direct beneficiary of that good will, is the film's equally effects-heavy sequel, "The Mummy Returns."
As you can probably guess, this action-adventure is not a whole lot different than its predecessor the filmmakers weren't dumb enough to change their successful formula too drastically. But it is a little more frenetic and action-packed.
Needless to say, fans of the first film will likely eat it up, while those who weren't as enamored will probably remain unconvinced.
"The Mummy Returns" picks up the action eight years later. Adventurer Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser) and Egyptologist Evelyn "Evie" Carnahan are now married and they have a son, Alex (newcomer Freddie Both).
Meanwhile, sinister forces are threatening to resurrect their nemesis, the evil 3,000-year-old mummy Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo), who wishes to seize the Scorpion King's powers.
So it becomes a race against time, as the O'Connells try to stop Imhotep from seizing absolute power and recover Alex, who has been kidnapped.
While the film is obviously endeavoring to be a long-lost cousin to the "Indiana Jones" movies, writer/director Stephen Sommers is certainly no Steven Spielberg. For one thing, he again leans on CGI effects to make up for the thinness of the material, while his idea of action is gratuitous use of slo-mo.
So, it's fortunate that he has a cast that seems to be having fun, especially Fraser, who really "sells" the corny dialogue. And his chemistry with co-star Weisz is at least a little more believable than it was the first time around.
Speaking of Weisz, her role is much more physically demanding this time, and her flashback duel with returning character Anck-Su-Namun (Patricia Velasquez) is one of the film's highlights (even if it does seem to borrow from "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon").
As for the much-touted big-screen debut of WWF wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, his woefully amateurish performance is thankfully brief (his character appears in a five-minute prelude, and then in CGI form after that).
"The Mummy Returns" is rated PG-13 for wall-to-wall action and violence (combat and gunplay), scattered profanity, brief partial female nudity (Anck-Su-Namun's rather revealing outfit) and a brief, mildly vulgar toilet gag. Running time: 130 minutes.
E-mail: jeff@desnews.com
Recent comments
Critics and Reviewers take things too seriously. I mean
that's why...
Ben | May 28, 2003 at 10:23 p.m.
Cast: Penlope Cruz, Ben Kingsley, Dennis Hopper, Patricia Clarkson, Peter Sarsgaard, Deborah Harry, Charlie Rose, Antonio Cupo, Michelle Harrison, Sonja Bennett
Find a Movie Theater
- Holiday television program listings 1:02 a.m.
- Williams, Rose celebrate by playing 12:46 a.m.
- Utes to get tested by Illinois 12:40 a.m.
- Cougs to host Weber St. 12:39 a.m.
- Efforts to save a life praised 12:29 a.m.
- Settle fights, set tone of marriage 12:28 a.m.
- Clearfield balking at UTA plan 12:26 a.m.
- New administration bldg for Davis 12:26 a.m.
- Gallery: Thanksgiving in Utah 12:14 a.m.
- National news briefs 12:12 a.m.
- Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
- Rivalry has had some 'turkeys'
- Holiday television program listings
- Highland players make special friend
- Temple Square to use LEDs
- Salt Lake City woman shot
- Matt Reynolds vs. Koa Misi
- Missions teach players perseverance
- Provo star leads Bulldogs to win
- Cave rescuers committed to free man
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
262 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
211 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
202 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
139 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
132 - Boys basketball rankings
117 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
112 - Hall, Johnson matchup key
102 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
98
Can someone please tell me which top 10 team Max has won? I hope the Jeff...
The old recipie for good economy is to just cut taxes to spur investment and...
Respect? Why show respect for another human being who's opinions and...
The problem is, Sarah Palin ist not a competent politician. She begs to be...
Please do tell which of his facts were stupid? Your best ever got smocked at...
Honestly. Kyle cannot be moved with the contract. I would rather see CJ<...
So many conclusions, based on false assumptions, so many haters, with...
If Carlos continues to play like this instead of hearing "boo" at ESA, maybe...
With all that tradition they can't seem to compete on the national stage....
Hint: You notice (like I predicted) no mention of any Jazz interest in...




