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'The Mummy Returns' is perhaps the ideal Hollywood sequel. It reunites the same filmmakers with the cast of the original 'Mummy,' adds a couple new faces, puts them all in a plot that effectively replicates the first installment but with a few fresh twists, and ratchets up the action and effects tenfold. Maybe that makes it more of a remake than a sequel, but it's a shrewd move, because the secret to creating a long-lasting movie franchise is not so much continuing the story, but instead giving the audience more of the same... only different. 'The Mummy Returns' does just that in spades, and I found it even more entertaining than the original.
Typical of most desperate to please sequels, the plot of 'The Mummy Returns' is a bit overpumped. The tale begins with a prologue about the Scorpion King (The Rock) being awakened by the mummy-with-a-funny-name, the high priest Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo) and his bride-to-be (firecracker Patricia Velasquez). After this setup-for-the-spin-off is over with, the real fun can begin, with the return of all our beleaguered heroes from the first film. Timid adventurer Richard O'Connell (Brendan Fraser) and Evelyn Carnahan (Rachel Weisz) are now married with child (Freddie Boath), but still like to spend their time chasing down ancient artifacts and other fun family diversions. But when the remains of the Mummy are sent to a museum in London, a series of events will once again bring the Carnahans face-to-face with their old adversary. Also along for the ride is Evelyn's brother Jonathan (John Hannah, always great comic relief), plus Oder Fehr as Ardeth Bay, a vengeful warrior with his own agenda. This mismatched crew must once again banish the Mummy -- this time, along the way they will battle legions of resurrected undead, survive multiple high-speed chases, pilot a giant hot-air balloon and even defeat a band of little CGI pygmy mummies. Indiana Jones, you had it easy.
'The Mummy Returns' is a lot of fun, although that doesn't necessarily make it a great movie. It is pretty derivative of the first film, which is amusing, since 'The Mummy' itself was a rip off of the Indy Jones movies and every cheesy Saturday afternoon serial ever made. Yet if 'Returns' is nothing new, it does impressively refine everything that worked in the original film. 'The Mummy Returns' moves at a faster clip, is less dour and dark, and each of the cast members is given his or her chance to shine, so that no matter who your favorite character is, there is someone to root for. And returning director Stephen Sommers deserves points for investing every frame of 'Returns' with genuine enthusiasm. Say what you want about the film, but he definitely isn't just cashing a paycheck -- he really seems to care about his schlock.
Some aspects of 'The Mummy Returns' don't hold up. I was shocked to see how dated the film's digital effects look only a few years after its release. I've never been a big fan of CGI anyway, but there are some pretty bad shots in this one, particularly the lousy rear-projection work and the way over-the-top climax. 'Returns' also nearly makes the mistake of forgetting that its main characters are Fraser and Weisz, not the special effects and subplots. They are such likable performers that they can easily carry a movie on their own, and hardly needed a kid, the Scorpion King, and all this other stuff horning in on their action. But no matter. 'The Mummy Returns' is all about fun, and the key to enjoying it is just to dive in and leave any high-brow pretensions at the door. If you liked 'Mummy' on the first go-round, you may love the second even more.
'The Mummy Returns' returns to high-def in a 1080p/VC-1 encode that repurposes the same master as the previous HD DVD release, if with a bitrate that often spikes higher. It's such a great transfer, however, that I can't complain much about the regurgitation. It's as close to a reference-caliber disc as any catalog title I've seen.
'The Mummy Returns' was shot on film but post-produced almost entirely in the digital realm. That makes for a very clean source that looks both film-like and unnaturally slick. Non-effects shots (of which there are few, I'll admit) have a more natural look, with minimal grain that is never intrusive. Any element with extensive CGI can sometimes look a bit hard -- some of the digital mattes of actors over rear-projected images in particular are quite contrasted -- but overall, the two halves balance nicely.
Colors are robust, with the very Indiana Jones-like visuals flush with warm oranges, lush greens and deep blues. Hues remain rock solid, and noise is not a problem, though a touch of oversaturation can plug up fleshtones. Detail also excels, with the many wide daytime exteriors wonderfully life-like. Unfortunately, as with the HD DVD, only shadow delineation suffers, with a steep fall-off into black that leaves dark scenes dim and doomy. Nonetheless, 'The Mummy Returns' delivers great video quality in spades.
As with the Blu-ray issue of 'The Mummy' (which Universal is debuting concurrent with the sequel), 'The Mummy Returns' enjoys a first-ever high-res mix, in DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 Surround (48kHz/24-bit). It's absolutely excellent -- this is a demo-worthy presentation.
Surround use is the star of the show, with lively and engrossing sound design. There are plenty of first-rate sequences that fully envelope the soundfield -- the opening Scorpion King prologue, the first attack of the mummy creatures in London, and the extended climax (that seems to go on for half the film) are favorites. Discrete effects are directed with pinpoint accuracy, and movement between channels feels absolutely natural. Just the sheer heft of the rear soundstage is a treat.
Dynamic range rocks, too, with very deep low bass that delivers great rumble to the subwoofer. The upper range is clean and powerful, and dialogue balance excellent. The mix has great clarity and transparency, and cranked up to a high volume can really be a stunner. Universal has clearly improved upon the previous HD DVD release, and it's great to see the studio embracing high-res audio on Blu-ray right out of the starting gate.
Universal pumps up 'The Mummy Returns' on Blu-ray with the same extensive set of goodies found on the previous DVD and HD DVD releases. It's a dull package, however, and no effort has been made to upgrade the video beyond 480p/i/MPEG-2. (There are also no subtitle options provided.)
'The Mummy Returns' is a fun sequel, and for my money, more enjoyable than the first 'Mummy.' This Blu-ray is very strong, with excellent video on par with the previous HD DVD release, and audio and extras that exceed it. If you've been holding off on picking up 'The Mummy Returns' on high-def, wait no longer -- this is the version to get.
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A sequel to 1999's "The Mummy," this outing delivers more of the original release's camp-plus-action formula, with a few tweaks. While the first one spent a lot of time establishing the (supposedly) cute relationship between adventurer Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser) and Egyptologist Evie Carnahan (Rachel Weisz) before unleashing the special effects and action scenes, "Returns" comes roaring onto the screen with a major battle sequence and a screenload of computer-generated effects in the first 10 minutes. It seldom pauses thereafter. Like the armies of Anubis, which everyone in the movie wants to control, the fights, swordplay, chases and explosions come at you in waves. Slower scenes are sprinkled in with two main goals. First, to show what a loving and resourceful family Rick, Evie and their 8-year-old son, Alex (Freddie Boath), are, and, second, to set up the next fight scene. It's like a big-screen version of the WWF's wrestling programs, only with more expensive production values ("Returns" cost about $98 million), marginally better acting, more fighting and less blood. Speaking of the WWF, if you're wondering how pro wrestler the Rock does as the Scorpion King, he barely speaks. (Makes you wonder about the spinoff that's now in production focusing on his character. And as one member of the audience said while leaving the theater, "Do you think he met the rest of the cast? It looks like he filmed all his scenes in a blue room" so computer effects could be added later.) Fraser is likable enough, albeit never quite convincing as an action hero. He just doesn't look like the sort who can outrun the sun or a rushing flood. Weisz is saddled with having to play "adorably brilliant," although she's actually more convincing in her fight scenes.
The plot is standard issue. Villainous types want to raise the mummy Imhotep so that he can kill the Scorpion King and gain control of those aforementioned armies of Anubis with which they can take over the world. The precocious Alex gets kidnapped by the baddies after inadvertently clamping the Scorpion King's bracelet on his wrist. Rick and Evie set off to rescue him, and if they happen to save the world while they're at it, that's a bonus.
Other touches you've seen before (including a few characters brought back from the first film): a wimpy profit-driven sidekick who steps up in a crunch, a wacky guy with a knack for flying machines, masks that look like surplus from the sets of "Eyes Wide Shut" and "Gladiator" and a battle that'll bring back memories of "Braveheart." Oh, there also are a couple of Three Stooges-style scenes as well, including an eye poke, plus a mummy who starts out as a fierce warrior but just before encountering a low bridge suddenly seems like Homer Simpson.
We're constantly reminded that Fraser's Rick is not the subtle type. Neither is the movie. It's part comic book, part old-time serial, part video game. "The Mummy Returns" may not be the brightest entry in this season's movie lineup, but it has the good sense not to say more than it has to. Which, if you're big and stupid, is a smart move.
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