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The Mummy Returns... and our reporters catch him in Sacramento
SPOILER ALERT !!
Father Geek here with 2 advance reviews of the summer flick THE MUMMY RETURNS... pretty good news, but...
BEWARE OF SPOILERS!!!
Some of you may not want to read further, be satisfied with the knowledge that THESE two viewers had a good time with this flick which has much of the feel and tone of the first one... spectacular tongue in cheek adventure...
Some of you may not want to read further, be satisfied with the knowledge that THESE two viewers had a good time with this flick which has much of the feel and tone of the first one... spectacular tongue in cheek adventure...
I got some skinny for ya from Sacramento. Tonight I got a chance to see The
Mummy Returns. I think I better set the stage by telling you how I felt
about the first movie before I say any more. I liked it. I'm not ashamed.
Did I think that it should have earned any Oscars? No, but I had a lot of
fun with it. I also may want to admit that I liked Deep Rising, too... it
was kind of a shite movie, but it was really fun. So I was already a Stephen
Sommers fan. I also should say that I love Karloff's version of the Mummy,
but we all know that this is a different sort of movie all together.
Universal may well be building themselves a new franchise here like (but not
equal to) Indiana Jones.
So, the movie - it was equal to the most insane fucking theme park ride.
Completely blew me away. I was psyched to see a summer movie this early in
the spring and I'll just say that if this is typical of the rest of this
summers' movies I'm ready for Memorial Day! It all starts with an awesome
battle - and that's where we meet The Rock as the Scorpion King. I'm not a
huge wrestling fan but at least he looks like a warrior. We're all getting
accustomed to seeing big battles in movies like Braveheart and Gladiator and
it's easy to think that this may disappoint - but it doesn't. There is
chaos. There are thousands of people involved. There is swordplay. And
there is death. So this sets the stage for the movie - the Scorpion King has
pissed off the Pharaoh in the pursuit of control over the Army of Anubis.
And, so, he is banished to wherever people are banished in the Egyptian
mystical world. Cut to many, many years later where Rick and Evie (Brendan
Frazer and Rachel Weise) from the first movie are exploring in an Egyptian
temple with their son - they're married now, so in true sequel form they've
got a mischievous kid (ugh)... but they're apparently still constantly
arguing and in love. Evie is having some weird visions like dejavu and they
find a magical box (aren't they all magical) which contains the Scorpion
King's bracelet. They fend off some attackers and make it home... by the way
their rich now - I guess after all of their finds in the first movie. So,
the kid (who isn't as annoying as you'd think) starts messing around with the
box, and puts on the bracelet and then starts seeing images of Egypt and a
golden temple with a huge diamond on top. Theives come into their house
looking for the bracelet and end up kidnapping Evie - who is used as a ploy
to resurrect Imhotep (sp?)... The Mummy from the first movie. We start
getting the hint that she may have been reincarnated at this point when she
has a vision of fighting that girl who wore the mesh outfit from the first
movie (my memory was jogged by seeing this movie's poster). This fight scene was great...
imagine Princess Leia's outfit in Jabba's lair... put it on Rachel Weise and
that other girl... give them swords, spears, and a couple other weapons...
sit back and enjoy.
I'm realizing that I'm a shitty summarizer and that at this rate I'll be
typing all night... so I'll start giving some highlights.
Imhotep is resurrected in order to take control of the Army of Anubis - who
will be destroying the world in just a few short days.
Rick, Evie, her brother, and that Magi guy from the first movie have to
rescue the kid - who is the key to finding that golden pyramid and then
taking control of the Army (because of the bracelet)
They fight off a fuckload of mummies -- who fight harder and look much
cooler than in the first movie.
We see a surging water effect which is like the evil sand thing in the first
movie.
There's a car chase involving a double decker bus and more mummies.
We discover that Rick is probably a Magi (and that's why he keeps getting
into these situations) and that Evie's roll in all this goes back wayyy
farther than you would think.
THE PIGMY MUMMIES ARE, QUITE POSSIBLY, THE COOLEST FUCKING THINGS I'VE SEEN
IN A LOOOONG TIME - THEY'RE THE EVIL GREMLINS FOR THIS CENTURY.
Rick gets riled up and kicks some major ass.
There is a second HUGE battle between the Magi and the Army of Anubis.
Rick starts getting an ass whuppin' by Inhotep and then the Scorpion King.
FX were temp, but the Scorpion King is going to look pretty damned bad-ass.
And I won't give up the end... but... hmmm... I smell another movie coming.
Anyway, I loved it. Theres constant action. There are constant effects. The
humor is pretty much the same as it was in the first movie so its totally
laughing at itself. Look, these aren't world class actors here - no one is
exactly pulling any acting muscles but it's alright because of the non-stop
action and even though the effects weren't final they looked pretty fucking
good. Brendan Frazer pulled it off. He's not just full of quips, he becomes
a full-fledged action hero. The Rock is really perfect for the role - total
charisma. So, that's that. I liked the first one - but this was much more
of a movie... much more action.
Later,
Lloyd "You Must Chill" Dobler
And here another... BEWARE SPOILERS...
Just saw a preview showing of the Mummy Returns, thought I would break my
contract and spill the beans.
Let me run by some scenes that I saw tonight to give you an idea of what
happens in the Movie.
First thing as probably everyone knows, Rick and Evie are married and have a
kid in the movie, the movie takes place 9 years after the first.
The Rock is in the begining and in the end of the film. Essentially the
idea being that he was the Scorpion King and makes a pact to save his life
after his army is vanquished. After this pact a Oasis appears where the end
of the film takes place, essentially so he can live since he is wondering in
the desert about to die. Because of this pact, he is given a new army of
undead sand monsters(as seen in the previews) to go desimate his enemies.
1933, Rick and Evie with thier new kid are running around another tomb,
trying to get the braclett of the scorpion king, which leads to the scorpion
king. Safe to say after a little action they get the braclett back to
London. (So there you go the Movie doesn't really start in London) The bad
guys are trying to bring up the Mummy from the orginal movie, and seem to do
so with little trouble, which seems a little ridiculous. After they raise
the oringal Mummy and attempt to get the braclett from Rick and Evie (You
see they want the braclett to lead them to the scorpion king so he can raise
the scorpion king's army so the orginal Mummy will be invinsible) Action in
London ensues, where the bad guys get the braclett and go off to Egypt to
raise the scorpion kings army, with Rick and Evie's kid in tow, because he
accidentially put on the braclett. One last important note, one of the bad
guys aiding the orginal mummy is Auxsanamul who is riencarnated.
Through a trick, the orginal Mummy gets back all his original powers. (very
lame I thought) They follow the kid as he leads them to various sites to
find where the scorpion king lies. (Note, the Scorpion King's oasis lies in
Ethopia, not Egypt on the Blue Nile) The kid gives his parents clues to his
location. Rick and Evie are added by a friend of Rick's who flies a ballon
around to the various sites where the kid is giving his parents clues. They
are accompanied by the other orginal good guy cast members from the original
film. The Mummy finds out about this and attempts to drowned the group's
ballon in a canyon on the blue nile. Before this we find out that Evie is
in fact reincarnated herself, and is in fact the daughter of the Pharoh
(Nefertti) that is killed in the first film and is not too happy with
Auxsanmual. She remembers this and this is how she is such a bad ass in the
previews, because apparently she was a fighting girl back in ancient Egypt
and didn't like Auxanmual back then either. (some lesbian sexual innuendo in
their past lives actually plays a role) Rick is also apparently a warrior of
god as well which ends up playing little importance in the film.
The Mummy is accompanied by bad guy henchmen, who for various reasons
(unclear to me) are trying to help him take over the world.
When they all reach the Oasis, both parties are attacked by guardians of the
Oasis, little ugly guys. (the end of the preview) This is where most of the
Mummy's henchmen bite it. Main characters reach the Pyramid just before the
kid would die from the braclett. (7 days or he dies after putting it on,
needs to get into the pyramid before sunrise) This is where Evie dies,
killed by Auxanamaul, not making Rick too happy. Rick then goes on to track
down the Mummy in the Pyramid right after the Mummy is stripped of all his
power and forced to fight the scorpion king, who is by the way a huge
computer generated scorpion with the Rock's head. Rick and the Mummy start
to fight it out. All the while the kid and the brother of Evie (forgot his
name, sorry) try to raise Evie back using the orginal book of the dead.
(first movie) Evie is raised and starts to fight it out with Auxanamaul.
Rick and the Mummy are fighting as well, the Scorpion king appears and
briefly it looks as though the Mummy and Rick will fight side by side
against the Scorpion King, but the Mummy tells the Scorpion king that he
will aid him and is spared. The Scorpion King then fights Rick alone. All
the while a huge battle occurs outside the Oasis between the Scorpion King
army, which has been raised against Magi from the orginal film.
Safe to say after all this, the Scorpion King is killed by a spear that the
brother carries most of the film. Their is then a position where Rick and
the Mummy are hanging off a cliff. Evie and Auxanamaul can save them. Evie
safes Rick, but Auxanamaul runs away, dissing the Mummy, the Mummy then
essentially commits suicide into a firey pit then. (special effects need to
be added) Rick gains control of the Scropion Kings army and tells them to go
away, right before they desemate the Magi. Auxanamaul is killed by bugs
from the orginal, like tripping into them. The whole scorpion king Pyramid
and Oasis implodes into the desert sands. (very cool effect) and Rick, Evie,
brother and kid all escpae on the ballon hovering above the Pyramid.
End of Movie
Overall lots of humor, better than the first in many ways, no character
development to speak of, I still have no idea who the scorpion king is, and
the Rock doesn't speak durign the entire film, not even in Egyptian, just
grunts. The London chase is cool with the bus, the end is a much better
timed than the oringal as well. Alot of effects, alot more than the orginal.
Good characters, some parts aren't really used, the whole warrior of god for
Rick or the Nefertti then for Evie all seems contrived, but overall pretty
good. If I got some names wrong or forgot them sorry, they are in the
orginal film for the most part, I hope this info is useful.
Sean Gjerde
Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah
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+ Expand All
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Thats cool. I hope the movie is good. (funny, I've never hoped a movie is bad either) In any case, I really liked The Mummy but thought the previews for The Mummy Returns looked lame. Guess I was wrong and it will turn out to be a pretty good flick.
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Mar 30, 2001 7:57:23 PM CST
sorry bout that everyone,but those FIRSTguys really piss me off
by 1stgodling
anyways,I just thought I would post to say that this movie is gonna kick some MAJOR butt.and everyone who says that it's gonna suck, that's just cuz you can't stand a good original spin on anything in todays drawn out over simplified movie goers land.so ya'll can rot!!!well i'm outta here. see you all at the movies
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The first movie was passable popcorn entertainment but did anybody really demand a sequel to this...and a cute kid to bring in the family audience means the chance of any real 'horror' here went out the window. I'll skip this.
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Ummm, that second guy said "Let me run through some scenes to give you an idea of what happens in the movie." Then he proceeds to tell us the entire plot of the movie! What a boob. I wish Harry had said he was telling us everything that happened instead of just warning about spoilers. I can deal with some spoilers but a blow-by-blow synopsis is a little much, dude.
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I must admit that I am upset by what I read. This movie has no sense of accuracy. Anubis began in the position that Osiris would later command in Egyptian myths. Not the Scorpion King. In the earliest period of Egyptian religion Anubis was clearly the lord of the dead and Osiris the embalmed god. Titles that were invested unto Osiris -- such as Khenty-Imentiu or "Foremost of Westerners" -- were originally Anubis's. As the drama of Osiris's death and vindication unfolded over the centuries, Anubis assumed the role of the guide who holds steady the scales on which their hearts are measured against the feather. Should the heart be light as the feather, the soul would then be lead by Anubis to be presented to Osiris. Should the heart be heavy, it is fed to Ammit and the soul destroyed.
Now according to the above reviews, there is no mention of Osiris in this film at all. Instead we have an unheard of Scorpion King in his place. Yet in Egyptian myths there is no such person, I believe. I do know of a Scorpion Goddess named Serket but I am getting off track. It is well known that Osiris was killed by his brother Seth and his body cut up and scattered. Yet Osiris resurrected and went on to rule the under world. Because of this Osiris is associated with the death and resurrection. The Scorpion King has no such nature therefore his association and battle with Anubis is unbelievable and false within the context of the film because he is the wrong character. There would have been an easy way to fix this credibility problem. Use THE IRON GIANT. THE IRON GIANT is a modern day example of Osiris in every way The Rock is not. With THE IRON GIANT's ability to have His body blown across the land only to be reborn again is unique and similar to Osiris. This makes Him highly more credible and believable in the role then The Rock played. The Rock while powerful cannot be as real as THE IRON GIANT because at the heart of all acting is truth. Furthermore The Rock is not the real enemy of Anubis historically. Osiris is. And the only contemporary actor that is close to Osiris in nature is THE IRON GIANT. Without THE IRON GIANT as Anubis's foe there is no realism on which to base the fantasy foundation of The Mummy Returns. Then again maybe I am being to sensative. Meow meow meow -
Damn youuuuuuuuuu!!!!!!!!
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I hated the "remake" of The Mummy. Hated it, hated it, hated it! A friend of mine said, "But it's just like Raiders of the Lost Ark!" Wrong 'em, boyo! What Universal forgot in its attempt to captalize on Raiders is that Raiders balanced its comedy with GENUINE suspense and chills. The first Mummy was nothing more than two hours of wisecracks, pratfalls, and putdowns--more of a remake of Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy than of any film that starred Karloff, Chaney, or even Christopher Lee. The Mummy Returns looks to be more of the same. Oh, and for you Rachel Weisz freaks (I'm one of 'em, too)--go rent Michael Winterbottom's I Want You. Not a good film, but Rachel's in the alltogether.
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I think we all know this isn't going to be Indiana Jones (Spielburg hurry up will you!) but it was never meant to be. A little fun, a little excitement and we're off. Instead of complaining on what this movie is not supposed to be, start sending your letters to the great film makers and ask them to make the movie you want. Whinning here isn't going to have any affect because the people going to see this movie know how to take it and will most likely have a good time with it. This is going to be a party movie for my friends and I. Instead of relying on the movie to give absoutly everything to us we are going to do what most movie watchers have forgot how to do, and thats bring a group energy and positive attitude to the theater. All these detractors are bitter and have forgotten how to enjoy movies in the first place. I truely feel sorry for you guys..
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Mar 31, 2001 12:09:17 PM CST
"A huge computer generated scorpion with the Rock's head."
by crimsonrage
OK, I don't know how that will end up looking in the final film...but that sounds really, REALLY retarded...Wait! I just got a mental image of it in my head...hee hee hee hee
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Mar 31, 2001 1:57:57 PM CST
"If ya smellllllllllalalalalalal....what the Rock...is cookin" (
by cinematt
I for one am looking forward to The Mummy 2 this summer in a BIG way, and not just because I'm a WWF fan (even though that's a big factor, ha ha). The Mummy and now it's sequel have restored a sense of fun back to the movies that's been lacking in a while. The Matrix? Overrated, sorry fan boys. Teen sex flix? Been there, done that, anyone remember Porky's or Meatballs? No, the Mummy is great summer fare because it entertains you without all the latest "let's cash in on this week's hot trend" mentality that Hollywood is notorious for as of late. As for The Rock, aka Duane Johnson, he was only able to get a few days off from his WWF schedule to do his part as The Scorpion King. However, after tomorrow at Wrestlemania, when he loses the WWF championship to MY MAN Stone Cold Steve Austin, he'll have a great deal more time to make movies. Co-incidentally, isn't shooting on "The Mummy 3: The Scorpion King"(or whatever they're going to call it) due to begin soon this year? Well, there ya go! Duane Johnson aka The Rock will finally be the one sports entertainer to truly break down the wall between the WWF and Hollywood, unlike past embarrasments like Hulk Hogan (anyone remember Mr. Nanny? jesus h. christ...)
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...What was so good about the Mummy? I hated every moment of it. It was tedious, inane, and for anybody who actually has an interest in egyptian culture and or archaeology, laughable.
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This movie will rock. If your going into it looking for a horror movie or some great oscar experience your a fool. It's a fun movie for movie fans. It's simply meant to be fun. Forget egyptian culture your dorks just go have fun. That was what so so great about this movie. It's didnt pretend to be some meaningful movie it is a guilty pleasure film you go just to laugh and enjoy it. So forget you morons acting like some damn film critic. You know crap. This is what hollywood is for, fun and enjoyment.
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I'm a moron for not liking this piece of shit? Maybe you need to take another look at this movie, and then a look in the mirror. Funny that you say this movie is about having fun, felt like torture to me.
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I read no further than your post. I simply cannot agree more. Even if it turns out to be the most awful movie you have ever seen, you still have your friends to experience it with, and to talk shit about it with afterwards. When you get to see a GREAT one it's just that much better because you remember that you saw it with your friends. Good stuff, thanks for posting it. I wish more people would take it seriously. I, personally am looking forward to smokin' a phatty, getting the biggest popcorn and coke I can get my hands on, and enjoying the hell out of this movie.
Also, saw Spy Kids on friday, AWESOME. And we watched the orginal Batman last night at my home. GREAT movie. I actually found the end to be a little soft after all these years (12, in case you didn't know). But the sets and the lighting, man, it even makes Burton's newer films look like shit, let alone those other two god awful Batman...whatever they where. -
What exactly is your problem with kids in movies?! I think it is great to have kids in movies.
I think most movies would be stupid if there were absolutely no kids in them.
Just because they are a kid does not mean they can't act. I guess you all think you are too "grown up" to relate to a younger kid in a movie. If that is true, that is kind of sad.
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