Latest 'Mummy' better off dead and buried
By Julie Feinerman, Staff Writer
August 6, 2008 | noon
Despite the action-packed coming attractions, director Rob Cohen's latest installment in the franchise "The Mummy," "The Mummy Tomb of the Dragon Emperor," has a storyline lacking the substance and scenes to compare to its predecessors.
Reprising his role as Rick O'Connell, Brendan Fraser once again brings his ruggedly handsome looks and, of course, his guns to take down yet another mummy (Jet Li). Along for the adventure is Rick's wife, Evelyn, now played by Maria Bello, who unfortunately cannot live up to the role that Rachel Weisz secured for herself in the last two mummy films. Movie-goers will most likely sit through the first scene trying to imagine Weisz's face in replace of Bello's.
Fraser, however, is just as charming and witty as ever. Although there is no chemistry on screen between his character and Bello's, he does posses an emotional side that audiences did not see in the last two mummy films. This emotion can be seen through his connection with his on-screen son, Alex (newcomer Luke Ford), who is now into his college years. Together they make a great team, but Fraser looks too young and is in such fantastic shape-- as can be seen when his shirt is off-- that it seems improbable for his son to be so old.
Joining Rick, Evelyn and Alex is Evelyn's brother who returns to the cast as Jonathan (John Hannah). His character is always dependable to bring humor into intense situations. With the help of friends including a powerful Sorceress (Michelle Yeoh), the gang takes on China to stop a 2,000-year-old curse that could bring the world into the hands of the merciless Dragon Emperor.
The movie starts off at a snail's pace as the audience get a glance at retired life with Rick and Evelyn, and the only thing pretty about it is their huge English countryside estate. As Rick struggles with fly-fishing, Evelyn is now a respected author riveting audiences with her past mummy adventures and feeling the pressure to come up with her next exciting escapade. Both Rick and Evelyn are ready to come out of retirement, and they get their chance when fate brings them together with their rebellious son who has dug up China's most dangerous Emperor and has brought him back to life.
As the Emperor causes havoc in the streets of Shanghi, the audience may be wondering if Jet Li truly does plan to retire one of these years. Rumors swarmed among movie-goers everywhere when Li announced his retirement after filming his movie "The Forbidden Kingdom" along side Jackie Chan. It is obvious after seeing Li in his role as the Emperor that he is out of shape and not the Kung Fu kid he once was. Even though the plot revolves around his character, Li does not bring much to the part of the Dragon Emperor.
This time around audiences will find the movie more family-oriented. Scenes are less violent, the dialogue has become kid-friendly and some of the characters give off a Disney feel. This movie has become more about the O'Connells and their relationship as a family rather than an adventure movie.
---
"The Mummy Tomb of the Dragon Emperor"
Speakeasy Rating: D+
Run Time: 114 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for adventure action and violence