DVD Review: The Mummy Returns Collector's Edition

As far as sequels go, The Mummy Returns is a solid start to a new franchise. Given the green light for production one day after The Mummy premiered in theaters, Returns does a fine job of adding to the story while one-upping the action and adventure aspects. The story is lost in the middle somewhere, but you’re generally too engrossed in the visuals to care.

This is a series loaded with cheesy fun, and it doesn’t take long before star Brendan Fraser has a chance to poke fun at the predictability in the script via dialogue with some self-referential humor. The full cast returns, with the heavily hyped appearance of The Rock coming in at around three minutes of total screen time. Fraser and Rachael Wise’s characters have been married since their last screen appearance, now with a son played by Freddie Boath.

For full appreciation of the summer blockbuster, the script needs the audience to believe anything is possible. Mummy Returns handles this quite nicely, avoiding explanation for why things happen and simply running with mystical events that show up beautifully on film. This is a darker film than the first, set mostly at night with somewhat harder edged deaths. The story is also a bit rough, with murders, betrayal, and numerous close calls.

It takes some time for the story to become fully apparent to the audience. By the time the set-up is complete, you’ve already been exposed to three or four epic action sequences. While an energetic way to begin the film, the plot is dragging on behind the scenes. It manages to be fast and slow paced at the same time.

As with the first film, special effects range from incredible to abysmal. A truly epic and wild finale is ruined by a pitiful attempt to merge The Rock’s Scorpion King character with an actual scorpion. It’s an embarrassment and a disappointing way to end the film. Granted, the number of effects shots is astounding, but this rarely looks like a $100 million film from a visual standpoint.

Freddie Boath, in the role of the young son, doesn’t mesh either. His acting level isn’t up to par, and his character seems to exist solely to be kidnapped while holding on to a precious artifact. The character could be eliminated entirely without a loss to the overall product.

While Brendan Fraser doesn’t seem to fit in the action star role, the wise-cracking Rick O’Connell leaves the door open for the right touch of comedic bits spliced in with gunfire and sword fighting. It’s that touch of fun camp that elevates this series to the high point of goofy summer big budget actioners. The mummy can return anytime.

Article Author: Matt Paprocki

Matt Paprocki is a 12-year movie and game critic. He currently freelances for Blu-ray review site DoBlu.com and video game site MultiPlayerGames.com.

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