Proof that films can be rushed and devalued

Rating: Null/10 (2 September 2004)

SPOILERS
Stephen Sommers obviously has a bit of a passion for classic Hammer Horror. This writer and director released the mediocre, adventure film "Van Helsing" in 2004, with it's main purpose being to unify the Wolf-Man, Frankenstein's monster and Dracula in one film. Before he would write and direct this film however, Sommer wrote and directed two films featuring that other Monster, The Mummy. In the second of these two films, 2001's "The Mummy Returns", Sommers has made an error in judgement. With a decent (albeit not perfect) script, Sommers could easily have improved upon the original movie. The flaw with this sequel though is that it never seems to know what it wants to be. One minute it is a modern action flick using ridiculous ammounts of realistic CGI (Anubis's Army being the best example) and the next minute it is a distinctively classic adventure style with painted backgrounds and weak special effects (the Scorpion King looking like something from a 1980s computer game).
In "The Mummy Returns" we are reunited with Rick and Evelyn O'Connell. Now happily set up in an English Mansion with a young son, the infuriating Alex, these two lovebirds are still obsessed with finding ancient tombs and destroying them. Evil is at work once again however, with ancient priest Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo) resurrected and looking for the temple of the Scorpion King. Once more it is upto Rick, Evelyn and her brother Jonathan (John Hannah) to stop the evil priest and save the world from a bleak future.
Sommers' film has some really nice ideas. With some new characters supporting the original stars, there is enough originality to keep the series fresh. As well as this, there are suitable moments of enjoyment to keep the audience satisfied. The Pygmi Mummies in particular are a moment of enjoyment where these little monkey like creatures run around stabbing people in the jungle and getting themselves blown up. Sadly for Sommers however, "The Mummy Returns" is not as good as it should be.
The problem with this film is purely superficial. Whilst the plot remains well written and enjoyable, "The Mummy Returns" is ruined because the final few weeks of it's schedule were rushed. Rather than taking the time to put a bit extra money and effort into scenes involving the Scorpion King and minor set designs, it was rushed and the result is one or two scenes where the actors walk infront of a cardboard cut-out and a Scorpion King who looks ridiculously artificial. It's a huge shame that this has happened really. The original film from 1999, and the first hour or so of this sequel, are both brilliant, enjoyable features. With the ending being rushed however, the series looses a lot of respect.
"The Mummy Returns" had a lot of potential. With a well written script by Sommers, and acceptable direction by Sommers as well, it had promise. Adding to this, a superb cast who obviously had fun during filming, and the film looks like it would be a huge hit. Ultimately though, this film flops badly because Sommers and the rest of the staff were bullied into releasing the film on a certain date. Whilst an extra month of work might have originally stunted it's box-office success, this extra time would have ultimately made the film better than it ended up being. As a result, rather than Sommers having a film which would be absolutely brilliant, he has finished with a middle of the range cinema experience which might have decent substance, but visually is a mess. An enourmous disappointment.