THE MUMMY RETURNS

With Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, Arnold Vosloo, Oded Fehr, Patricia Velasquez, The Rock
Directed by Stephen Sommers

The wild imagination of writer / director Sommers has no boundaries with FX technology. Its ludicrous proportions, however makes it a toss-up between totally silly and escapist spectacle. Even wilder and louder than the one before, it still lacks the atmosphere of the old Mummy classics by opting for stringy humour, lame one-liners and wise cracks in between the unfolding plot, action and scenery. Our hero couple who defeated the evil mummy, the O'Connells (now married with a 10 year old), get sucked into his realm again when his reincarnated forbidden love plots to resurrect him again. This is only possible via a bracelet which belonged to the vicious Scorpion King. Co-incidental reincarnations, relations, accidents, destiny, fate and old familiar faces wrap together to drive towards a crazy climax. WWF superstar The Rock suits the role of the Scorpion King real well, his minimal dialogue a blessing (even led to a solo movie vehicle for the character). Digital FX just don't seem to be enough anymore as it's spotted a mile away and, "oh, more of that." But if you can look past that, scientific inconsistencies, and Fraser's tosser hairdo, the action, speed and dumb humour will pull you through.

3 / B
- PB

1 2 3 4 5 6
A - B - C

A: Multi-Viewing Potential

B: Could Enjoy A 2nd Look

C: Once Should Suffice