The Mummy Returns (2001) Review

Title: The Mummy Returns
Year: 2001
Director: Stephen Sommers
Country: US
Language: English

Previously in my review of The Mummy (1999) I said that it reminded me of Raiders of the Lost Ark, being that it was a fun action film from a bygone era. It was weird to say, but "they don't make em like they used to." By 2000 Hollywood was getting smart in regards to sup hero films. With XMen (2000) and Spiderman (2000) being very successful, it was only a matter of time before they'd rule the silver screen. For now, we had a brief era of films that were reminiscent of 30's matinee serials. 

The mummified body of Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo) is shipped to a museum in London, where he once again wakes and begins his campaign of rage and terror.

Most notable for being Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's film debut, The Mummy Returns is a swashbuckling well-choreographed action film that features more polished fighting than The Mummy (1999) The nonstop cliffhangers are appealing for a short while, but do get tedious as time goes on. The script isn't as good this time around. thus the characters are less-likeable and we are less invested in them making it to the next action set piece. 

There's less attempt at horror this time around & far more hit and miss comedy. Unlike in The Mummy (1999) we never feel like our characters are in any real danger. Heck, we know they can beat him as they already did so in the last movie. While the previous picture caught fire with its imaginative plot; this feels like a retread over familiar ground. 

At times the special effects are dozens of steps back from anything made at that time, did you SEE CGI scorpion Rock? 21 years later and people are still making fun of how bad it looked. The Mummy Returns is not a worthwhile endeavor, even though the action is up-to-par. Even if you go for movies solely for the action, why would you see this one when you can see Rush Hour 2?