This movie deals more deeply into the mysticism that the first movie skated around. When Flynn has to duel with an invisible swordsman (or just the sword itself, that wasn’t quite clear), I knew we would be stepping over into the realm of fantasy more heavily this time. Bob Newhart’s character even uses powers that we hadn’t seen before.
In short order, Flynn is once more put on task to locate and bring back an important artifact that has been lost for thousands of years. But first, there’s a birthday party to attend. Watching Flynn be so uncomfortable around his mom and her matchmaking was great. And in this day and age, many heroes and heroines end up getting showcased with their parents, which always leads to deeper characters and more humorous situations. If this series of movies continues, I hope that Flynn’s mother continues to be part of it.
Although we have birthday party, and the introduction of a semi-uncle who was a friend of Flynn’s father, we quickly get down into the adventure. Despite the made-for-TV budget, the movie offers a lot of things to see. I don’t know for sure where the scenes were shot, but they look authentic. And later, in King Solomon’s mines, the sets – though small – look good and have lots of detail.
The plot touches on the same kind of parent-child pain as the first Tomb Raider movie, and it even has stylings toward the H. Rider Haggard Allan Quartermain and King Solomon’s Mines movies starring Richard Chamberlain and Patrick Swayze, as well as the black and white ones. But it's an endearing adventure nonetheless.
Buy it or rent it for the family and enjoy popcorn action and booing the villains. And cross your fingers that this modest little franchise continues. It deserves to.
Article comments
1 - Mat Brewster
I caught this on the tv a few weeks back. I hadn't yet seen the first one (though I caught it a little later, again the the tv) and rather enjoyed it. Yeah, it isn't great cinema but everyone seems to be having a lot of goofy fun, and in the end I had to admit I was too.
2 - Fortress Guy
He is bookish alright. King Solomon's mines was fun, but perhaps not the strongest entry of the three.
Overall, it is a fun adventure series. A likable take off on Indiana Jones.
Here is my take on all three movies with lots of pics and a little wit if you are interested.