Hey folks, Harry here with our first look at a reaction to a rough rough cut of THE MUMMY RETURNS... This reviewer enjoyed the film, but wants the kid completely removed from the film and the action toned down as he felt it was a bit overwhelming at times. But that is just the opinion of one fella, the little kid... well the second I heard there was a lil bugger in the flick I just.... groaned a bit. Hopefully we'll have more folks chiming in on this screening. Here ya go...
Yo Harry, long time reader, first time writer, but i know you've heard that a billion times, so i'll cut to the chase. Last nite I got a call from a friend of mine who i from time to time see movies with. He works for a local radio station and had gotten word that they would be receiving 4 advanced screening tickets to The Mummy Returns to give to the reviewers for the station. One of the reviewers was sick, and another couldn't go because of family obligations, so we went to check it out.
Now the first Mummy was one of the most welcome suprises in 1999 for me. I loved the blend of action and comedy, and thought it was everything that The Phantom Menace should have been. So I was very eagerly awaiting this screening. We arrived in the theatre, and were handed cards to be filled out at the end of the movie. We were in a large theatre with only 20 or so other local film critics. A rep. from Universal talked for about 20 minutes, explaining that this was the as of yet unfinished 2 hrs and 10 minute version of the film, and that some of the minor effects like buildings and skies were not finished yet. The lights dimmed, and the film began.
The movie opens 9 years after the events of the first. We are introduced again to Rick (Brendan Fraser) and Evy (Rachel Weisz) O'Connell. They are now happily married and have an 8 year old son, Alex (Freddie Boath). They are on vacation in Egypt, and the parents, while exploring a temple, come across an ancient gold bracelet. After warding off some fellow tomb raiders to get it, they escape back to their home. Of course, their punk son decides to put on the bracelet late at nite, and it is now stuck to his wrist. The theives that Rick and Evy met in the temple return and kidnap precious Alex. Turns out they are working for 2 new charcters, Meela and Lock-Nah. They accidently stumble upon the remains of Imhotep from the first film, and resurrect him. Imphotep (Arnold Voslo) apparently still has a thing for his girlfriend from the first film Anck-Sunamun, and in order to bring her back must travel the Lost Oasis, where the Scorpion King (The Rock) shows up. Rick and Evy pursue their son, and of course, action also ensues. Also showing up are Evy's comical brother (Jack Hannah) and their old friend Ardeth Bey (Oded Fehr).
The first thing you will notice about this movie is that action plays a much larger role. The early estimates of 4X more action aren't far off. The story certainly takes back seat the action in this installment. Having loved the first one, this movie is more of the same, but it also takes the things that i liked about the first, and raises the bar. More action, More humor and More fun. Then again, several people i know, some even in the test audience, didn't enjoy the first one, and likewise disliked the second even more. If you liked the first one, you'll love this, and if you disliked the first, you'll hate it. My only real problems with the movie is that the action at times can be too overwhelming, their is often times (15-20 minutes) where it is NOTHING but a giant fight scene. Also the son Alex got on my nerves, by the end of the film i wanted Evy and Rick to just give up on the little bastard and go home. The Rock suprisingly was excellant in his role, and all the actors reprising their roles from the first film were great. I hope that they cut some of the action, and just all the scenes with Alex, but besides that, i loved this film. The humor is still intact, and the speacial effects produced by ILM are fantastic. Though it won't earn a Best Picture nom, well, unless Miramax somehow releases it, this movie is still a lot of fun. If you even half liked the first film, this is a guranteed must see come May 7th.
The First Time Writer
