Entertaining, adrenalin-filled yet formulaic no-brainer action romp, as the good guys go from London to Egypt to stop the evil Scorpion King/Imhotep/Mummy/Pinky and the Brain from taking over the world. Agai

Rating: 8/10 (10 July 2001)

It's 1933 and, ten years on from their last encounter with the bandaged one, Rick and Evie are happily married and living in London with their 8-year old son. Yet Evie is troubled by strange visions of ancient Egypt and the fabled Bracelet of Anubis, the control of which will bring about the resurrection of the Scorpion King. This would be (you guessed it) a bad thing to happen, as said King sold his soul to the evil god Anubis and, upon his return to life, would lead Anubis' nigh-on invincible army to take over the WORLD! Oh and, in case this wasn't enough, Imhotep has also been exhumed and revived by his followers, in the hope that he can defeat the Scorpion King and twist the inhuman army to his own fiendish desires. Muhahahahahaha. Sorry.
The first 'blockbuster' of this Summer, 'The Mummy Returns' is a lot of fun, as long as you abide by one simple rule: do not, under any circumstances, think about what you're watching. Cerebral content, as in the original, is sacrificed to stop anything getting in the way of the constant stream of fights, stunts and special effects and, happily, it has the same effect. Where this sequel succeeds over many others is in maintaining the level of exuberance and excitement which made the original such a success. The extra budget means that the set pieces are far bigger, the explosions far more spectacular, the extras are far more plentiful (and we all know what that means), and the locations far more grandiose. Luckily, much of the CGI has been improved as well. Some truly innovative little nasties are introduced (the skeletal pygmies being the high point), and the decaying Imhotep won't leave you sniggering behind your hand this time. The original cast are clearly having just as much fun second time around (even new additions like Freddie Boath, the Connell's eight year old son, stay on the right side of irritating), and the self-aware, tongue-in-cheek scripting of the first film also makes a welcome return.
If anything lets 'TMR' down, it's the sense of excess and keenness to entertain. With access to the kind of money the first 'Mummy' film only dreamt of, Sommers sometimes throws just a little too much into the visuals and it doesn't all work. Some of the CGI is decidedly ropey, and other ideas (the jet-powered dirigible in particular) simply stretch credulity that little bit too far. In truth, the plot is merely a very loose framework to hang the action on (writing the very instructions needed to kill you off again should you reawaken in your own tomb seems a little foolhardy), and The Rock really shouldn't give up his day job.
Yet, to be truthful, who cares? The pace and rhythm of the film is so relentless that such faults can be ignored, as they really defeat the object. I defy you to sit through the London Bus chase scene and the Mansion house fight and keep a regular, unwavering pulse. Yes it's corny and yes it's totally and unceasingly OTT, but this is Sinbad not Indiana Jones, replete with legendary monsters, handsome lantern-jawed hero and feisty heroine. If you want intelligent, thought-provoking and mysterious material then look elsewhere. Otherwise, strap yourself in and enjoy the ride.
7.5/10
Matt Drew