Product: The Mummy Returns [VHS] (2001)
Rating: 4.0
Way more entertaining than the first.
"The Mummy Returns" (2001)Let�s get one thing straight, I did not like the original Mummy film that much. I thought it lacked plot and was kind of boring. I didn�t hate it, but I did expect more. I was not really looking forward to The Mummy Returns because I didn�t like the original enough to take the second one seriously, but surprises come along occasionally. I�m very happy to say The Mummy Returns is definitely a good sequel that impressed me much more than the original film.The story, amazingly, was one of the strong points of this movie. There is a whole bunch of plots going on, while include the kidnapping, the parents going cross-country, the resurrecting of that darned mummy, the deal with the ancient warrior, The Scorpion King, and heck, the parents even get enough time to discover about their past lives! Excellent!Most of the original cast returns to play their characters. Freddie Boath and Patricia Velasquez are new instalments, Boath playing the never-annoying and potentially hilarious child of Rick and Evelyn (Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz from the first movie), and Velasquez playing Imhotep�s (Arnold Vosloo) lover before he died. Fraser and Weisz head the screen again, and return with their excellent chemistry and acting skills. Unfortunately Fraser isn�t given quite enough witty lines and funny scenes as in the first movie, but Weisz�s character has a big improvement. She�s no longer a geeky bookworm, but a make-up wearing, [guy]. Weisz looks beautiful and is clearly enjoying herself. John Hannah also returns, but unfortunately he just annoyed me in this movie. Arnold Vosloo is very good in this movie, he barely has any lines, but he connects with the audience excellently with his awesome facial expressions. Oded Fehr is back again to talk about destinies and fate, and kick some booty. He does exactly what the director instructs him and comes off as a fun actor but unfortunately he didn�t have a very believable character.The length and pace of the film was nice and I liked the way it started because it really got you into the mood for the �Indiana-Jones� way of things. The movie rolls along nicely and is able to fit many funny one-liners, neat and clever story twists and awesome fight sequences. I particularly enjoyed seeing the range of new beasts and sets in the movie. It�s good to see the mummy is out of Egypt and the atmospheric but boring temples and he�s come to London. Some very cool set pieces and chases revolve around the setting of the movie, which I really enjoyed.Unfortunately the movie is weighted down a little by a couple of flaws. The special effects at the end are absolutely terrible! Things were going well until we saw The Rock�s version of a beastly Scorpion King! The Scorpion King at the end looks like he�s crawled out of an unpopular, unwanted video game and inhabited himself somewhere through this movie. The Mummy Returns also doesn�t have as much charm about it as The Mummy did.Overall, I did enjoy this movie. It was an incredibly entertaining feast of fun, a really neatly made and intriguing popcorn sequel that mixes itself into every genre and does it well. Plus, there�s Rachel Weisz and Patricia Velasquez sword-fighting in only bikinis and gold body spray. Now, how can you possibly refuse?MY GRADE: B+