Fun, but less so

Rating: 6/10 (12 June 2017)

Plot; The O'Connell's race against the minions of Imhotep in an effort to stop them from reaching and defeating the legendary Scorpion King and taking control of the armies of Anubis.
At its best, The Mummy Returns equals and/or surpasses the first entry; itself a rootin'-tootin' and refreshingly unapologetic goodtime popcorn movie. Unfortunately Returns isn't always at its best. Setting the bulk of the first act in London gives it some aesthetic diversity, and I actually found the two action scenes there (One in the O'Connell's house, the other on a double-decker bus) to be my favorites in the movie. I also preferred Alan Silverstri's rip-roarin' action score to Jerry Goldsmith's from the original. But unfortunately the titular Mummy doesn't loom as large here, and with the Scorpion King not showing up until the last few minutes, Imhotep's minions aren't nearly enough to make up for it.
Despite inserting a spunky kid (Will Hollywood never learn?), a clunky middle act and some absolutely cringeworthy CGI in the finale, The Mummy Returns unwraps enough fun to satisfy.