The Mummy Returns
(2001)
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Flanked by fabulous computer-generated battle scenes that would make BRAVEHEART proud, THE MUMMY RETURNS is a fast-paced sequel that surpasses the 1999 original, both directed by Stephen Sommers. Virtually the entire cast has come back for another exciting go-round, this time trying to prevent Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo) from gaining control of the Bracelet of Anubis and taking on the Scorpion King (the Rock) for control of the world. But to gain that power, Imhotep and his vicious true love, Anck-Su-Namun (Patricia Velasquez), must get to the Oasis of Ahm Shere before Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser), his wife Evie (Rachel Weisz), their son Alex (Freddie Boath), the mysterious Ardeth Bay (Oded Fehr), and Evie's brother Jonathan (John Hannah, who provides much of the comic relief). Set in 1933, THE MUMMY RETURNS combines elements of the STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES films in letting loose a scintillating thrill-ride of a movie, chock-full of terrific special effects and marvelous locations (Morocco, Jordan, London), erupting in a spirited tale of flight and fantasy, sword and sorcery. The addition of Freddie Boath to the cast increases the suspense as well as the comedy--his scenes with the evil Lock-Nah (fiercely played by OZ veteran Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) are among the best in the film. |
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You have to admire them for getting a sequel into the cinemas just two years after the first Mummy became the surprise hit of “Phantom Menace summer” in 1999. And that's with all the key cast reunited under the direction of Stephen Sommers. This sense of continuity pulls the franchise in line with the Indiana Jones films, to which this owes so much with its tomb-raiding themes, period colour and deft mix of comedy and action. To praise it faintly as more of the same does a disservice to the slick bravado of Sommers and the technical wizardry of Industrial Light and Magic, who created the screen-dominating CGI effects. If you liked The Mummy's old-fashioned thrills and state-of-the-art digital monsters, you won't go home short-changed — indeed, there's an army of dog-like Anubis warriors that stretches as far as the eye can see. (If only David Lean had had a laptop.) And Rachel Weisz has been unashamedly sexed up for those who get a kick out of gold bikinis and girl-fighting.