Movie Review: The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

The first two Mummy movies were fun, light-hearted action movies. While not in the same class as recent action flicks like the Spider-man and Batman movies, they were immensely watchable and smart enough not to take themselves too seriously. They were popular enough to warrant this sequel and the spin-off series, The Scorpion King.

The story is set in 1946. Brendan Fraser returns as Rick O’Connell, a former French Foreign Legion officer and adventurer who defeated Imhotep’s mummy in the previous two movies. He is now trying to adjust to a life of quiet retirement. His wife Evelyn O’Connell is a bestselling author and no longer works as an Egyptologist. She is pressured to provide her publisher a third book that she cannot find inspiration for after her first two books about fighting mummies. Mario Bello has replaced Rachel Weisz in the role of Evelyn. Meanwhile in China, Rick and Evelyn’s son Alex (Luke Ford) is discovering his own mummy.  

The mummy is that of Emperor Han (Jet Li). Emperor Han was a ruthless ruler who built the Great Wall of China over the bodies of his enemies. He defeated his enemies but desired immortality. He asked the witch Zi Juan (Michelle Yeoh) to cast a spell on him that would make him live forever, but she betrayed him and he retaliated by killing her love General Ming (Russell Wong). Because of this Zi Juan put a curse on the Emperor and his army.

Back in 1946, the Chinese General Yang (Anthony Wong Chau-Sang) wants to resurrect the Emperor to bring China back to glory. He is secretly funding Alex’s dig and manages to get Rick and Evelyn to China as well. When they get there, they are forced to help revive Emperor Han’s mummy. The Mummy, naturally only wants to destroy the Earth.

Rick, Evelyn, and Alex must stop General Yang and Emperor Han before they reach Shangri-La and the Emperor becomes immortal. If he becomes immortal he will raise his army and begin his destruction. They are aided in this by the now immortal Zi Juan and her immortal daughter Lin (Isabella Leong) who have been guarding the Mummy’s grave for centuries. Evelyn’s wisecracking brother Jonathan (John Hannah) also comes along, but he is really just there for comic relief. This is obviously a set-up for many mummy fights.

Article Author: Mark Kalriess

Mark Kalriess loves to enjoy and write about video games, movies, music, and sports. You can read his opinions on all these subjects at the Entertainment Center. You can listen to his opinions on sports on the podcast, Washington Sportsjam.

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