The Mummy Returns (2001) Review

NOTE: This review will ruin "The Mummy" for you, if you haven't seen it! I highly suggest you see that before seeing "The Mummy Returns" but if you really don't care, read on!

Plot
Thebes - 3067 BC... The Scorpion King tried to conquer the world but his army was defeated. The King made a devilish pact for his life to be saved now in exchange for his soul. After the devil was done with him, his army was returned to the sand "where they await silently, to be awakened once again."

Egypt - 1933... Rick is exploring ancient ruins with his wife and his son. His wife feels like she has been there before and seems to know exactly where to go. Evelyn starts to picture the ruins as if they were still full of life today - with workers opening doors to a room with a protected chest. Evelyn and Rick manage to get in and open the chest to find the bracelet that the King was wearing at the start of the movie! The place suddenly starts to fall apart. Evelyn reads: "He who disturb this bracelet shall drink from the Nile. Oh that doesn't sound too bad!" Until the Nile starts to flood the temple.

The family barely escapes with their lives, but they managed to hold on to the chest.  The bad news: evil men want this bracelet.  The worse news: their son puts on the bracelet and he cannot get it off!  Now that the bracelet is on his arm they only have 7 days before the Scorpion King will rise.... the rest you will have to see for yourself.  Once again Rick and Evelyn are stuck in the middle of a huge adventure that isn't for fun and laughs...but something they must do to save the world!

Actors
Brendan Fraser .... Rick is the same character as in the last movie. He is adventurous, but worrisome. He would probably rather stay in his safe house than explorer any of these spooky areas as he's had enough bad stuff happen to him! He's just as good now as he was in the first movie and is the only man for the job.

Rick: [his son startles him in the ruins] Alex?
Alex: What did you think, that a mummy had come back to life?
Rick: I'll tell you a story sometime.

Rachel Weisz .... Evelyn is still the feisty curious girl that she always was. She wants to explore the story of the King and the Bracelet and is pretty good at talking Rick into joining. Together they make a great team and they play very well off of each other which makes the movie fun and funny without taking away from the action in anyway.

Evelyn: No harm ever came from opening a chest
Rick: Yeah, no harm ever came from reading a book either. Remember how that one went?

Freddie Boath .... Alex is adorable! He's a great addition to the O'Connell clan. He's a very smart and witty little boy that creates quite a few laughs of his own. As Rick says, he really takes after his mother and has the same curiosity and courage.

Evelyn: Alex, I'm serious, if you've lost that key, you're grounded.
Alex: I haven't lost it, I just can't find it. There's a difference.

Special Effects!
What makes the Mummy and the Mummy Returns so great are the amazing special effects. First there is the Mummy itself and his creatures from the sand. They look so real and scary and gross all at the same time! When these creatures are destroyed they usually turn into dust or something like that. There is a lot of interaction between the humans and the creatures that is really cool because seeing the humans and the creatures touch and fight makes it seem like they are really there.

The rest of the effects such as the ruins collapsing, the sand effects, the Pyramids and the armies are all so amazing to watch along with the beautiful scenery that it makes everything seem larger than life. I've definitely jumped a lot when I first saw this in the theater - the effects are great on TV but best if you can get a really big TV with great speakers to draw you in.

For Who?
This movie is acceptable for 13 and up and is a great adventure movie for anyone who enjoys the myths of ancient history. The effects make you feel like you are there with the explorer's and really give the sense of shock and awe at every turn.

Conclusion
After you see "The Mummy" you have got to see this movie next! However, this is one of the few sequels that is completely watchable even if you missed the first movie. Of course I recommend you see both, but if for some reason you just want to check out this one go ahead. It really is a continuation and there are a few references to the first movie - but overall it has a new plot and story to follow. This movie was great on the big screen but if you can set up your house like a theater you will still get a lot out of it. Rent it today! Enjoy!!!