He's back, and boy, is he mad!

Loosely wrapped 'Mummy Returns' fun, fine sequel

In this story: Borrowed plots, lines A global chase! Good ... could have been better RELATED SITES

By Paul Clinton
CNN Reviewer

(CNN) -- Soon after Carl Laemmle bought a rundown California chicken farm and turned it into Universal Studios at the dawn of the 20th century, his fledgling film company started building a reputation for making melodramas and horror flicks.

Throughout the 1930s and '40s, the studio churned out a number of mummy movies -- "The Mummy" (1932), "The Mummy's Tomb," (1942) and "The Mummy's Ghost" (1944). Mummies have been very, very good to the folks at Universal. Other studios have made dozens of mummy movies over the years, but Universal has been the traditional home for these tightly wrapped dead guys who always seem to come to life at the most inconvenient times.

In 1999 the studio dug up (pun intended) the tried-but-true concept of these living dead creatures and mounted a new production of "The Mummy," this time starring Brendan Fraser. The film borrowed heavily from the style and tone of another Universal mega-success, Steven Spielberg's three-film "Indiana Jones" franchise. It also made a pyramid of money -- $155 million domestically and $415 million worldwide. So, despite a lukewarm reception from critics, the public has spoken and we now have -- for better or worse -- "The Mummy Returns."

The result is a very rare bird indeed, a sequel that's better than the original.

Borrowed plots, lines

Don't get the wrong idea. This film still leaves a lot to be desired for anyone lacking the raging hormones (and taste level) of a 15-year-old boy. The special effects are still heavy-handed, the plotline laughable. In the end the whole thing is as memorable (and disposable) as an empty popcorn bag.

However, there are great little moments scattered throughout the picture as writer/director Stephen Sommers (he also wrote and directed the 1999 version) gleefully rips off every famous, and not-so-famous, movie he can lay his hands on. There's a touch of "Gremlins" (1984) here and "E.T." (1982) over there. Shadings of Nick and Nora Charles from "The Thin Man" series (1936 -1947) appear occasionally. It even pays a little homage to "Titanic" (1997). "Indiana Jones" lends itself to the film, as does practically every cheesy action/adventure matinee serial from the 1930s and '40s.

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Fraser reprises his role as Rick O'Connell, a former legionnaire now married to former Cairo librarian Evelyn (Rachel Weisz, also from the original). They now live in London, circa 1933, with their young son Alex (played with great aplomb by 8-year-old Freddie Boath).

The film opens strongly with a live-action battle set 5,000 years ago. You meet the Scorpion King (played by World Wrestling Federation superstar The Rock, in his film debut), as he makes a pact with the evil god Anubis. The deal? His soul in return for victory in battle (OK, add "Faust" to the film's list of inspirations). He and his army are then frozen in time just biding their time until they can unleash unspeakable evil, thereby causing the end of the universe as we know it -- you know, the usual apocalyptic stuff.

A global chase!

Flash forward thousands of years, and Rick and Evelyn are suddenly embroiled in fighting a sinister plot to bring to life a powerful mummy to battle the Scorpion King. Naturally, they bring along their young son as they stalk the globe in their dangerous efforts to thwart the forces of evil. Apparently, the benefits of fresh air and the opportunity to broaden his world-view are worth any danger little Alex may encounter.

In all three "Indiana Jones" movies, and in the 1999 version of "The Mummy," there was always plenty of sexual tension between the hero and the damsel-in-distress du jour. Now that the two protagonists are happily married, that element is missing. In its place are attempts at clever, urbane banter between the two. Some of it works. Some of it doesn't.

Explosions, bottomless pits, snakes, scorpions, human skulls, strange mysterious priests, secret passageways and plenty of black magic keep the story on its predictable course. One nice touch: Evelyn and her evil counterpart Meela (played by Patricia Velasquez), are not reduced to cowering wallpaper when the fighting takes place. These babes are right in the middle of the maelstrom, and are even featured battling each other in a way that is almost reminiscent of some scenes from "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."

Good ... could have been better

"The Mummy Returns" will satisfy its popcorn-chomping core audience of cheap-thrill seekers -- not that's there's anything wrong with that -- but every time the movie fades to black as it moves to another scene, you may find yourself expecting a commercial break. It has the sanitized, homogenized feel of a 1950 Disney production.

Too bad: With just a little effort, "The Mummy" could have pushed its tongue a little deeper into its cheek and achieved true high-camp parody. Fraser's talents are up to the challenge; look at "George of the Jungle" (1997). (Don't look at 1999's "Dudley Do-Right.")

Note to fans of The Rock: While he only has 15 minutes of screen time and spends much of it looking mean and saying nothing, The Rock will be back. He is currently shooting his first starring vehicle (yes, you guessed it), a spinoff called "The Scorpion King." Look for that some time next year.

"The Mummy Returns" opens nationwide on Friday. Rated PG-13.

'The Mummy Returns' - official site

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