The Mummy Returns – Film Review

Posted by Samuel Walters

Overview

The Mummy Returns is a failed attempt to recreate the enjoyment and success of the original Mummy film. The truth is, this movie suffers from just about every pitfall that plagues the typical sequel. There is very little that works in this film. For the most part, we move from one pointless action set piece to another in a plot that is barely sustainable under the oppressive weight of contrivance and implausibility. About all that the film once had going for it was its preponderance of digitized special effects. But now, seven years later, the effects look very much dated (and obvious). About all that’s left to enjoy are a few brief moments from familiar characters, and a few, relatively sparse, scenes which manage to create a semblance of adventure and suspense.

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Analysis & Criticism

It would be easy to pin all of the blame for the film’s failure on the character of Alexander O’Connell (Freddie Boath), the ten year-old son of Rick and Evelyn O’Connell (Brendan Frasier and Rachel Weisz). The fact is, he gives a singularly despicable performance, sabotaging nearly every scene he is in. There is absolutely nothing at all compelling about his character, much less his performance. Indeed, his presence in the film is just the first of the many typical sequel errors that makes The Mummy Returns a very, very difficult film to enjoy. But it is by no means the sole reason.

The main premise of the film centers around the use of reincarnation in an attempt to weave together the backstory of both Rick and Evelyn with that of Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo) and Anck Su Namun (Patricia Velasquez). As a concept, it’s a bit convoluted and obscure, but it could have been more serviceable had the plot been less contrived and implausible. It simply isn’t a particularly good story.

Things begin well enough with a prologue, detailing the exploits of The Scorpion King, a legendary warrior, portrayed by none other than Dwayne Johnson (aka The Rock). We learn that in ancient times the Scorpion King was one bad dude who made a deal with Anubis. Following this, the Scorpion King’s soul was claimed by Anubis, setting up a scenario whereby if someone else, thousands of years later, defeated the Scorpion King in battle, the winner would be able to use Anubis’ army to take over the world. A re-incarnated Anck Su Namun has decided to resurrect Imhotep and use his powers to defeat the Scorpion so that they might rule the world together.

In order to do this, they must retrieve the Scorpion King’s bracelet and use it to locate a pyramid hidden within a lost oasis. Of course, Alex O’Connell has mistakenly put on the bracelet and gotten himself captured by the bad guys, which sets up a chase across Egypt which ends, of course, in the Pyramid. This sets off a grand, three-way battle between Rick and Imhotep, Evelyn and Anck Su Amun, and the forces of Anubis against the armies of the Magi. All of this might sound epic, and indeed, the final act of the film is enjoyable in a mindless popcorn sort of way. But the journey was so difficult to endure that the scenes are certainly not worth the wait.

The biggest problem has to do with character. Faring the best, in a supporting role, is Oded Fehr as the character Ardeth Bay (the leader of the Magi). How he manages to pull off such a compelling performance in the midst of such a preposterous film is nothing short of miraculous. Rick and Evelyn are familiar in their roles as adventurer and adventuress. But the parental role unfortunately saps their characters of vitality. Toss in their reincarnated natures (Rick is supposedly a warrior from God and Evelyn is the reincarnated version of Nefertiti) and you’ve got characters with way too much concept and almost no development. John Hannah, as Evelyn’s brother Jonathan, is reduced to a more ridiculous caricature of what he was in the original film – in which he was at least an amusing caricature of the drunken, good-for-nothing-yet-lovable brother.

The rest of the supporting cast, from Imhotep and Ank Su Amun to dirigible pilot Izzy (Shaun Parks) and caricature baddies Lock-Nah (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) and Baltus (Alun Armstrong) manage remarkably well enough. It’s just that the rest of the story in which they are acting is so bad that they never really get an opportunity to demonstrate their talents.

Overall Grade: D

This film is easily worse than The Temple of Doom which, at the very least, had the character of Indiana Jones. Unfortunately for The Mummy Returns, its main characters are nowhere near as memorable of iconic as Indy. And the story is much, much worse. The result is a film that is best left untouched – unless you’re planning a Mummy Trilogy night. In which case, you’ll have to put up with it. Though, before you decide on that trilogy night, you may want to wait and see how well the third Mummy film, Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, fares.

Topics: Adventure, Fantasy, Film Review
Filed under: The Mummy