Video/DVD Review: The Mummy Returns
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What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this movie is very violent, but
mostly in comic-book terms. Most of the damage is done to
mummies and other non-humans. There are some scary surprises
and ghoulish images. There are also very mild sexual references
and some revealing costumes.
Families can talk about how views on archeological digs have
changed since the era in which this movie is set, and about
current controversies over the ownership of antiquities.
Families can also visit local museums to see some of their
Egyptian treasures.
Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz return as Rick and Evie O'Connell, now married and the parents of eight-year-old Alex (Freddie Boath). This time, the Mummy has to defeat the Scorpion King (wrestling star The Rock) to get control of his army and take over the world. In order to find and wake him, they need a special Scorpion-King-finding bracelet, which happens to be stuck on the wrist of Alex O'Connell. But don't worry about the plot. It really doesn't matter how or why mummies and bad guys are chasing them; all we need to know is that they are, and that Rick and Evie have to find a way to rescue Alex, send the mummies back where they came from, and save the world from being utterly destroyed. Fortunately, there's always just enough time for a kiss or a wisecrack -- sometimes both -- before entering into the fray.
Grab some popcorn and settle in for some old-fashioned movie fun, the best in this genre since the gold standard of adventure movies, the Indiana Jones series. The special effects of THE MUMMY RETURNS are sensational, and the fight scenes are well staged and very exciting. One of the movie's great strengths is the art direction. It brilliantly creates the mood, helped along by a period-sounding score.
It's a shame that The Rock is onscreen for such a short time. He makes a real impression in the prologue, but doesn't reappear until the end, when he's part-Rock, part-scorpion. Fortunately, there's an entire sequel titled The Scorpion King just about his character.
The Scorpion King
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