Original? Originality is overrated

Rating: Null/10 (6 November 2004)

Well, I won't say this is in even my top 100 films of all time. Still, the movie is fun, and the visuals are fantastic. The villain is charismatic and not all together serious, which is how it must be done to make a good action movie.
Yes, the script is not genius, and yes it's plot devices are contrived. But the one-liners and opportunity for self mockery is something that makes the script out of the ordinary imo.
Brendan Fraser as the dashing young adventurer is believable and fun. The actress playing the librarian comes off as a headstrong, liberated woman. Perhaps a bit inaccurate for the times, but as far as Egypt is concerned, accuracy is not horribly important.
The cast has a good sense of chemistry, which is something I enjoy. O'Connel's scenes with Benny are hilarious and overstated. There are a few moments where this movie tries to take itself too seriously, but that's a minor annoying flaw.
Overall, I give this movie a 6/10. Enjoyable, but not a work of art.