Back in 1999, film studio Universal could never have dreamed that Stephen Sommers’ remake of their horror classic The Mummy would become a worldwide box office megahit. Now, two years later, Sommers has every reason to smile. Not only was The Mummy a huge success, but the sequel The Mummy Returns broke all box office records in the States during its first weekend – including the one set by Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace.

Never change a winning team

Most of the characters from The Mummy Returns have been brought back for the sequel. After all, why change a winning team? And so we are re-acquainted with Indiana Jones-look-alike Rick O’Connell (Brendan Fraser), who – after his adventures in part one - is happily married to archaeologist Evelyn (the ever radiant Rachel Weisz).
As we can see in the opening scenes, the couple is still exploring Egyptian tombs, only now they’re accompanied (or shall we say “hindered”) by their son Alex. The adventurous family breaks open yet another tomb, where they find the legendary bracelet of the Scorpion King.

That scorpion is deadly!

In Ancient Egypt, the Scorpion King (played by professional wrestler The Rock) ruled with an iron fist – or so we learn from the mini-movie that The Mummy Returns opens with. When he was finally defeated, he sold his soul to the god Anubis, in exchange for his life. With an army of undead dog-faced warriors, the Scorpion King storms the known world again, but is finally brought down. Now the supernatural warrior has been resting in a hidden oasis for centuries, ready to be brought to life once more, and destroy the world…

Everybody wants to rule the world

Whoever manages to defeat the mighty Scorpion King, commands the army of the dead. This sounds quite appealing to some sinister characters, who come up with the clever (well…) plan to resurrect the mummy Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo) yet again. They figure he might be the only one powerful enough to go up against the Scorpion King. Naturally, it’s up to the O’Connells to save the world from not one, but two evil beings.

Old-fashioned Hollywood entertainment

Sommers knows all to well how to make his audience happy; he doesn’t waste any time telling a coherent story, but overwhelms us with a two-hour visual extravaganza beyond compare. The Mummy Returns is pure, old-fashioned Hollywood entertainment and bothersome stuff like plot and character development simply don’t belong there. Both the computer-generated special effects and the excellent make-up are very convincing and greatly enhance the movie’s atmosphere.

Let the adventure begin!

Although the first Mummy was a fairly enjoyable movie, it wasn’t clear which direction Sommers wanted to take… Horror? Action-Adventure? Comedy? This time he has chosen to make a 100% Adventure movie, and that does The Mummy Returns a world of good. From mass scenes where thousands of warriors do battle, to an unnerving bus ride through the old streets of London, the movie stays interesting enough to keep you from checking your watch – or thinking about the bizarre plot.

What plot?

If you want to enjoy The Mummy Returns to the fullest, I advise you to lock your brains in a safe before seeing the movie, so you can safely collect them when it’s over. Because trying to think during the movie is a serious nuisance. Sommers has crammed his sequel so full of silly dialogues, idiotic plot twists and “deus-ex-machina” tricks, that you’d certainly get a headache. But luckily one doesn’t mind; The Mummy Returns doesn’t pretend to be anything but an energetic adventure movie. And as far as that’s concerned, you get exactly what you expect.

In conclusion

With more special effects, more action, more humour and more evil beings, The Mummy Returns has what it takes to be the perfect, enjoyable, no-brain summer movie.


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up Ages 8