The Mummy Returns

3/4

Starring: Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo, Freddy Boath, Patricia Velasquez, The Rock


“The Mummy Returns” is the first sequel to the 1999 smashhit, and it’s surprisingly a lot of fun.  It’s also quite a bit different than its predecessor.  That one was a unique mix of horror, history and pulp adventure.  This follow up is almost all action; the only scenes where someone isn’t swinging a sword, shooting a gun or doing some kind of stunt are the ones that are included simply to move along the plot.  While I will make no statement saying that that the original didn’t play fast and loose with Ancient Egyptian history and mythology, “The Mummy Returns” goes even further.  Not that that’s a bad thing…

Set ten years after the first adventure, Rick O’Connell (Fraser) has married Evelyn (Weisz) and they have a young son named Alex (Boath).  The two are archaeologists (but considering some of their techniques, I think some people who practice the same thing in real life might have an apoplexy at that statement), and while they are investigating an ancient tomb, they find the Bracelet of Anubis, which was owned by the mythical Scorpion King (The Rock).  The Bracelet, as we learn gives the wearer control of the armies of Anubis (provided that he kills the Scorpion King first).  That’s bad news for humanity, because a group of cultists, led by Baltuz Hefez (Alun Armstrong) want to resurrect Imohtep (Vosloo) so he can kill the Scorpion King.  But before that can happen, young Alex puts on the Bracelet, so the cultists have no choice but to kidnap him and bring him to the Oasis of Ahm Shere, where he can awaken the mythical man.

In creating his script, Stephen Sommers did a number of things right.  First and foremost, he had the characters grow up.  Rick is a father figure and an adventurer rather than a reluctant hero, while Evelyn is tougher and less klutzy.  He also brings back minor characters for expanded parts.  Ardeth Bay (Fehr) is as much of a sidekick as Jonathan (Hannah) is, and Anck-Su-Namun (Velasquez) has been regenerated into one of the cultists (also played by Velasquez).  Imohtep also emerges as a genuine character, having been relegated to a largely wordless monster in the first film.

Probably the most important thing that Sommers does is that he streamlines most of the rituals from the first one.  We know how Imohtep and Anck-Su-Namun have to be regenerated, so it’s unnecessary to waste time showing how this is done.  Sommers knows this, and he condenses this material as much as he can.
Like their characters, the actors have grow into their characters.  Fraser and Weisz are back, and their chemistry appears to have grown up during the three years since the first film was released.  John Hannah is as funny as ever, although he has his moments of action and drama.  Vosloo proves that he doesn’t need special effects to convince us he’s a badass villain.  And Freddie Boath doesn’t sicken us with being too cute; on the contrary, he’s a foul-mouthed, mischievous little kid who doesn’t care if he’s kidnapped, he’s still going to drive the adults he’s with nuts.

In general, “The Mummy Returns” is action, action and more action.  In the first film, Sommers proved how adept he was at mixing exciting action and off-beat comedy.  He demonstrates the same skill, but takes it to the next level.  For once, the jokes rely more on timing than raunchiness.

Unfortunately, that comes at a price.  The storyline is paper thin, and there are more plotholes and less character.  Still, it’s definitely a lot of fun, although you’d be best to stop visiting the franchise after this one, since “Tomb of the Dragon Emperor” is anything but that.

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