Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #39284 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-12-01
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL
• Original language: Arabic, English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 129 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
"We don't have time for subtle," says Brendan Fraser, the star of The Mummy Returns, neatly encapsulating the relentless pace and hammerheaded tone of the film. As is the way of sequels here we have more, more, more of the same formula: more explosions, more action and more mind-numbingly endless CGI effects. Once again borrowing shamelessly from the Indiana Jones series, The Mummy Returns, like its predecessor, has boundless energy but lacks the stylish verve and charm of Spielberg's trilogy. All the original cast are reunited, this time joined by WWF star the Rock in a cameo role designed to plug his spin-off vehicle, The Scorpion King, and young actor Freddie Boath who plays an English eight-year-old in the 1930s whose dialogue borrows from Bart Simpson ("Get a room" and "My dad's gonna kick your arse" are two of his choice phrases). Other cinematic thefts include a Jurassic Park-style creatures-in-the-long-grass sequence and a lengthy triple-threat finale along the lines of Return of the Jedi. Still, despite the wearying relentlessness of its computer-generated effects, endless chases and fights, this is undeniably fun popcorn fodder and provides some memorable scenes along the way, notably Rachel Weisz and Patricia Velasquez battling it out for the affections of nasty old Imhotep.

On the DVD: This two-disc "Special Edition" is a treat for fans of the franchise. The first disc has an anamorphic widescreen print of the movie in its 2.35:1 CinemaScope ratio, and a choice of Dolby 5.1 or DTS for the headache-inducing soundtrack. There's a decent commentary from the director and producer, plus a couple of DVD-ROM features. Disc 2 has all the usual stuff, including a 20-minute "making-of" documentary, a five-minute interview with the Rock about The Scorpion King, plus an exclusive trailer for it that is unsurprisingly reminiscent of Conan the Barbarian. There are also some detailed special effects breakdowns of key sequences, a blooper reel of outtakes and a virtual tour of the Universal theme park attraction "The Mummy Returns Chamber of Doom". Sundry trailers, production notes, a music video and an "Egyptology 201" text feature round out a well-loaded second disc. --Mark Walker

DVD Description
DVD Special Features:

Disc One:
Director's Commentary
DVD-ROM Special Features*: "Unlock the secrets to THE SCORPION KING", Exclusive access to the movie production, Mummy Returns Game Demo Screen Saver
Disc Two:
20 minutes "Spotlight on location" featurette
An EXCLUSIVE conversation with The Rock, The Scorpion King
Egyptology 201
The Mummy Returns Chamber of Doom
Music Video
Outtakes
Visual and Special Effects
Trailer
Production Notes

English Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English, Arabic Disc One: Dual Layer
Disc Two: Single Layer
Anamorphic 1.2:35
*Requires a DVD-ROM drive on your PC with Windows 95 or higher to access DVD-ROM features. The DVD-ROM features will not work in a CD-ROM drive and may not work in a Macintosh computer.

Synopsis
Flanked by fabulous computer-generated battle scenes that would make BRAVEHEART proud, THE MUMMY RETURNS is a fast-paced sequel that surpasses the 1999 original in terms of action. Virtually the entire cast has come back for another exciting go-round, this time trying to prevent Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo) from gaining control of the Bracelet of Anubis and taking on the Scorpion King (The Rock) for control of the world. But to gain that power, Imhotep and his vicious true love, Anck-Su-Namun (Patricia Velasquez), must get to the Oasis of Ahm Shere before Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser), his wife Evie (Rachel Weisz), their son Alex (Freddie Boath), the mysterious Ardeth Bay (Oded Fehr), and Evie's brother Jonathan (John Hannah, who provides much of the comic relief). Set in 1933, THE MUMMY RETURNS combines elements of the STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES films in letting loose a scintillating thrill-ride of a movie, chock-full of terrific special effects and marvelous locations (Morocco, Jordan, London), erupting in a spirited tale of flight and fantasy, sword and sorcery. The addition of Freddie Boath to the cast increases the suspense as well as the comedy--his scenes with the evil Lock-Nah (fiercely played by OZ veteran Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) are among the best in the film.

Customer Reviews

PURE ENTERTAINMENT...
This is a razzle, dazzle, knock you out of your seat with special effects, kind of movie. It is non-stop entertainment, and a worthy sequel to its predecessor, "The Mummy". Even though the plot is thin, and character development is almost non-existent, I still thoroughly enjoyed the movie.

Archaeologists Rick (Brendan Fraser) and Evie (Rachel Weisz) have tied the knot since the original movie and have an eight year old son, Alex, adorably played by Freddie Boath. While on an archaeological dig in Egypt, they recover a special, golden bracelet which conveys special powers to the person who wears it. Alex, not knowing this, puts on the bracelet which had, at one time, belonged to the Scorpion King, played by wrestler, The Rock.

Evie's brother (John Hannah deliciously reprises his original role) is mistaken for Rick, as mysterious emissaries try to kill him in an attempt to recover the bracelet on behalf of the evil Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo reprising his original role). As Evie and Rick continue to do battle against these evil, murderous emissaries, the mysterious and devastatingly attractive, Medjai warrior, Ardeth Bay (Oded Fehr also reprising his original role), joins them in their battle against evil.

In this sequel, past and present collide, and reincarnation adds its own interesting, little twist to the plot. For my money, Oded Fehr walks away with the movie, as Ardeth Bay is such a compelling character: sexy, swashbuckling, and mystical, all rolled into one. He is definitely my favorite character. I hope that we will see even more of him in the next sequel. (Who are we kidding? Of course, there will be another sequel!)

The only negative thing that I have to say about the movie has to do with the animation of the Scorpion King at the end. It is too cartoonish. I found it jarring and distracting, as it did not seem to fit with the other graphics used throughout the movie, which were great. It made me give the movie four stars, rather than the five I would probably have given had this concept not been so annoying. It was unnecessary to have this cheesy looking animation, as it detracted from the movie and downgraded its overall quality.

Still, see this movie. It is escapism at its best, as well as pure entertainment.

Perhaps a lil' corny in places, but excellent fun
Although there are certain points in this film where you feel like asking the person next to you to pass the sick bag, it is great fun and you can look forward to meeting all the well-loved characters from the first movie, and an appearance from the ROCK which can't be bad. Brendan Frasier and Rachel Weisz are excellent as are all the other actors and the action and fight scenes are amazing. Another good thing is that although there are various twists along the way you don't have to think too much so you can just sit back and enjoy some good old fashioned guns, swords and goody vs. baddy fights! You'll love it!!! P.S. If anyone else is as interested in films as I am then please e-mail me or contact me on msn messenger!! I look forward to speaking to you soon.

Rocket science this aint
Let's face it, when a sequel like this is fast-tracked out so quickly after the original, people should KNOW that it's only going to be pop-corn, "give me my film and don't ask me any sodding questions" stuff! The Mummy Returns is a great example of Bigger, Badder, Louder. Like I said, the plot isn't exactly rocket science; and yes, it does on occasion require the viewer to totally suspend common sense. But on the other hand, it's delightfully cheesy, and you can't help but think that Steven Sommers is playing it totally tongue-in-cheek. In the end, the whole film feels like a classic hark back to the days of Hammer Horror - just on a bigger effects budget.

Speaking of...

... the effects really are very diverse in this movie (in many different meanings of the word!) There are thousands of different effects shots to get your teeth into, from an enormous army of Magi, to an even enormous-er army of Anubis warriors, and a horde of pygmy mummies. All of these are incredibly impressive. HOWEVER (and Rock fans, I'm sorry) thr much-touted Scorpion King is, frankly, piss-poor. Thank-god it's only on-screen for about five minutes before going back to it's under-developed effects bin.

But to balance out the effects - and I know this goes against what I said about it being a bit thin on the ground plot wise - you DO have a bit more character developement. Do remember, I only said a BIT. On the one hand, you have Imhotep and Anksunamun's love affair (Patricia Velasquez, you are a FOX!!!); and on the other, you have Rick's fatherly attitude towards Alex (his chase through the forest to keep ahead of the sun-rise genuinely put me on the edge of my seat). OK< so the Evey-Anksunamun backstory was of the UBER-CHEESE, bit it was still really enjoyable on a hokey level. And, for those of you who love Neighbours - Pharoe Lou Carpenter puts in a brief cameo appearance, complete with beard.

So there we go. It's a loud, brash, no-brainer that consists of chases, fisticuffs, stomach-churning romance... and ok, the occasional moment that DOES make you frown and go "oh, COME ON" (see the EXTRA CHEESY shot of O'Connell grabbing the spear mid-air.) Still though, it's definately worth getting - for PAtricia Velasquez in a number of increasingly foxy getups as a basic reason - and as long as you don't expect it to be Kubrick-meets-Hammer, you'll love it to pieces.