The Mummy directed by Stephen Sommers:
I, for one, have always most enjoyed the first films in series. It just seems like for the most part the films that follow the original are just watered down versions. When “The Mummy” first came out it was fun and exciting. While it was not a completely original idea, it was this generation’s Indiana Jones type film. The story was full of humour and adventure and leads Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz had nice chemistry together.
British librarian Evelyn Carnahan (Rachel Weisz – Definitely, Maybe, The Constant Gardener) becomes interested in starting an archaeological dig at the ancient city of Hamunaptra. She saves the life of adventurer Rick O’Connell (Brendan Fraser – The Mummy Returns, George of the Jungle) and so he agrees to help her out with the dig. While Evelyn, her brother Jonathan (John Hannah – The Hurricane, Four Weddings and a Funeral) and Rick are digging they are so occupied that they don’t realize that a group of explorers are also interested in the dig and they accidentally unleash the previously dead High Priest Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo – Blood Diamond, Agent Cody Banks).
As punishment for sleeping with the wife of sleeping with the wife of Pharaoh Seti and then murdering him, the High Priest Imhotep is mummified and buried alive. On top of that he is cursed. When he is unintentionally brought back to life it is going take a lot to get him back where he came from.
Adventure films do not have to be complex. They just have to have enough of a story and some capable actors to pull it off. They whole idea is to go on a wild ride and have some fun at the same time. Once the action starts in “The Mummy” it does not stop. What follows is a zany, amusement park ride type of film. It looks great and the actors pull off the physicality and humour of their roles. Hold on to your hat and enjoy the ride.
Special Features:
-The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor Sneak Peek
– Digital Copy
-An Army to Rule the World – Part 1
-Unraveling the Legacy of The Mummy
-Visual and Special Effects Formation
-Building a Better Mummy
-Storyboard to Final Film Comparison
-Deleted Scenes
The Mummy Returns directed by Stephen Sommers:
The release of the “The Mummy Returns” took place in 1991 exactly two years to the date after the release of the original. The sequel is set in 1933, 10 years after the original Mummy. Now married we rejoin Rick and Evelyn (Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz) who now have a little nine year old boy Alex (Freddie Boath). As in the previous film Rick and Evelyn try to save the world from being destroyed by the Mummy Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo) and newly added character the Scorpion King (wrestler “the Rock”). The Scorpion King was an ancient desert warrior who made a pact with the evil god Anubis as he was about to die. The god accepted the pact and kept his entire army frozen in time waiting to be resurrected.
The entire starring cast is re-united once again in this sequel. Watch out for the killer beetles, and the characters appearing from dust. The Mummy Returns offers up a lot more action and violent sequences than its predecessor. The eye-catching computer generated graphics provided by Academy Award winner John Berton are incredible. You will enjoy the same great cinematography as with the original film. Great eye candy, enjoy!
Special Features:
·An Army To Rule The World Part 2″ featurette
·A digital copy of the movie
·”Unraveling The Legacy Of The Mummy” featurette
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor directed by Rob Cohen:
We move on to the continent of Asia for the third installment of “The Mummy” series of films. “The Mummy” has always billed itself as a series of fun adventure films à la Indian Jones but that seems to have been forgotten this time out. Throughout the film and its long build up I felt myself waiting for the action part to start. When it finally did it did not last nearly long enough. There simply was not enough action in the film. You were left with the taste of wanting more Jet Li and his character in your mouth.
There is certainly a sense of comfort coming into a film like this as you know exactly what you are getting. It will not be too complex or worried about storyline or character development. It is just trying to be a fun time at the cinema. What is good about the film is that it does not take itself too seriously. It knows it is kind of silly and does not make any apologies for it.
Once again undead warriors are awoken to wreak havoc on Rick O’Connell (Brendan Fraser – Journey to the Center of the Earth, Blast From the Past) and his family. Rick and wife Evelyn (Maria Bello – The Jane Austin Book Club, The Cooler) are trying to help their archaeologist son, Alex (Luke Ford), who has accidentally awoke the Dragon Emperor (Jet Li – Romeo Must Die, Lethal Weapon 4) of China. The Emperor unleashes his army of thousands of warriors in the hopes of conquering the world. It is Rick and Evelyn to the rescue.
Films like this really live or die based on the quality of the action and special effects. Like I said there is not that much action to speak of and what there is has a kind of been there seen it feel about it. What really wore on me is how much the film relies on CGI creatures so much so that you get bored with them after a while. The visuals seem to motivate the story rather than the story causing the visual effects.
This film is certainly the weakest of the three Mummy films. However, inexplicably you will enjoy the film. You won’t know why as you will not really notice the story, direction (by Rob Cohen of “The Fast and the Furious “fame) or acting all that much. But you will find yourself interested and that is all the film is asking for really.
Special Features:
-Deleted and extended scenes
-Preparing for Battle
-The Making of The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
-Jet Li: Crafting the Emperor Mummy
-Creating New and Supernatural Worlds
-Legacy of the Terra Cotta
-A Call to Action: The Casting Process
