The Mummy Returns (2001)

 New 2-disc Deluxe Edition due out on July 8th, 2008
The upcoming release of The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor has prompted Universal to release new DVD editions of The Mummy and The Mummy Returns. The new Deluxe Edition of The Mummy Returns includes most of the special features from the 2001 Collector's Edition, plus some new features. It will only be available in widescreen format.

The Mummy left most professional reviewers cool to lukewarm at best, and this, the first sequel, left them cold. But audiences still enjoyed it. Like the first in the series, it's a big-budget, big-special-effects horror/adventure extravaganza with George of the Jungle playing an Indiana Jones-type character. Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz reprise their roles, he the adventurer and she the Egyptologist, married to each other with a young son in 1933. The same evil mummy-being-thing that bothered them so much in the first film is back, and this time there's an even more terrible force bent on destroying everything. The plot isn't very strong, but there is an army of pygmy mummies. Silly fun, sometimes more silly than fun.

These are the new special features:

-- "An Army To Rule The World Part 2" featurette

-- a digital copy of the movie

-- "Unraveling The Legacy Of The Mummy" featurette (also in the new The Mummy Deluxe Edition)

-- a sneak peak at The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor (also in the new The Mummy Deluxe Edition)

Carried over from the 2001 Collector's Edition:

-- audio commentary with director/writer Stephen Sommers and executive producer/editor Bob Ducsay

-- "Visual And Special Effects Formation," on how the special effects were done

-- "Spotlight on Location," a behind-the-scenes featurette

-- a conversation with The Rock, you know, the wrestler/actor, who speaks, about The Scorpion King movie

-- Live's "Forever May Not Be Long Enough" music video

-- "Egyptology 201," text on Egyptian history

The only feature from the Collector's Edition not announced for the new Deluxe Edition that anyone is likely to miss is a few minutes of outtakes/bloopers. (I wouldn't be surprised to see them show up as an "easter egg" (hidden feature).)

The Amazon page to pre-order the Deluxe Edition is here. The page for The Mummy Deluxe Edition is here. April 28, 2008

 fair to middlin'
I actually liked the first Mummy film....I thought that even tho, yes it was cheesy, it had good special effects, and a decent plot. But the sequel left something to be desired.

For some reason I thought the special effects were....worse in this movie. Not sure if the same studio created the effects for both films, but this one looked worse (to me). The Scorpion King (with the Rock's face) looks completely unbelievable.

Also, the relationship the two "parents" had with the son was laughable (not in a good way). They didn't even act like they loved him, and he was pretty much in danger the whole last half of the movie. Just shoddy acting.

If you want to watch a good mummy movie, do yourself a favor and rent the first one. February 19, 2008

 The Mummy phase 2
Well it is just good fun. Not quite a horror movie, more action adventure with a bit of mummy wrapping thrown in, along with a more than a little precocious child. Same cast as "the Mummy" with a few more thrown into the mix. The mysterious guardians, the Mummy, our gun toting hero, and his very resourceful wife, her bumbling brother all combine to have a good time chasing and being chased through caverns and cobwebs. February 16, 2008

 "Not These Guys Again."
It's 1933, and the O'Connells are at it again. The now married Rick (Brendan Fraser) and Evy (Rachel Weisz) are back in Egypt exploring a long sealed tomb. They've even brought their eight year old son Alex (Freddie Boath) along for the ride. They're hear because of a bunch of strange dreams Evy has been having. Exploring the tomb, they find the bracelet of the Scorpion King (The Rock).

Unfortunately, they aren't the only people looking for it. A group of diggers has found the mummy of Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo). They intend to revive him and allow him to kill the Scorpion King, thereby allowing him to control the Scorpion King's army and rule the Earth. But, in order to do all that, they need the bracelet.

Which is why the O'Connells are attacked when they return home to London. And since Alex has just put the bracelet on, he becomes a target. Joining forces with Evy's brother Jonathan (John Hannah) and Magi Ardeth Bay (Oded Fehr), they set out to save the world again. But in this race again time, will they win?

Having been a surprised fan of the first, I was looking forward to the second. I was disappointed the first time around, but a second viewing made me see it with new eyes. The plot, while a little complicated, is actually more original then I gave it credit for being. It definitely starts faster then the original did. The story actually holds together well and the acting is fine. Once again, this really isn't a horror movie but an action flick with super natural elements.

Having said that, I do have definite problems with this movie. The introduction of the reincarnation back story still makes me roll my eyes. It might help explain why everyone from the first film is back, but it slows the movie down at times, too. The computer effects aren't up to par either. There were so many of them it grew quite distracting. Finally, I loved the jokes and wise cracks of the first, but this one doesn't have the same comedic flare.

I'm surprising myself by saying this sequel isn't bad. But it isn't great either. If you haven't seen it, you aren't missing much, but if you liked the first you'll be glad you gave this one a try. January 29, 2008

 Jeff's review
A good action packed movie , I enjoyed it more than the first one , also check out the Scorpion King.

January 7, 2008

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