Too much special effects, not enough story

Rating: 6/10 (8 May 2001)

The Mummy Returns was quite a fun movie, but really lacks a lot compared to the first one. The special effects were amazing and at the same time disappointing. It seemed that Sommers (director) couldn't leave one single frame untouched by special effects. To be sure the graphics were quite realistic, but in the way they were used it was so over the top and outlandish that the 'specialness' (if that is a word) of the effect was lost.
The original had a bit more of a quality story for what is at the most basic level a B-line movie. The Mummy Returns was full of too many characters: The brother-in-law and the child were of no use and did nothing to advance the plot. The Scorpion King was a thin plot device to use two evil characters instead of one bad guy. It is a sequel and therefore must have more baddies.
Special effects were best put to use in the panorama/CGI images of ancient Egypt, the large battle scenes and in the visionary use of the Scorpion bracelet. Otherwise, the closeups of CGI monsters, The half-scorpion/half-Rock creature at the end, the pygmy mummies, the dirigible/boat combo were altogether uninspiring.
Overall I have to give it a 6. It WAS fun, and I do love a good mummy movie, but the first was better.