Mummy Returns, The (2 disc set) (UK)

The Mummy Returns is a very disapointing sequal to the hit film The Mummy. Where The Mummy was a blend of action and good special effects with a fun plot that wasn`t really made for serious viewers the sequal is a huge let down from the Team that brought us the original, you can`t help but laugh to death over the ridiculous plot (And I thought the first one`s plot was not to be taken seriously) and the overall waste of the leading stars talents.
But less said about the Rock as the scorpian king, and the really bad CGI at the end of the film, even though it was ILM that created the effect, which is even more shocking than the effect it`s self.
The Mummy Returns does have big fight scenes which should entertain the younger viewers, the film isn`t much else.
The picture is crystal clear and the sound excellent (Use DTS if you can, it`s better). Extras wise, the two disc is what we have come to expect from Columbia tri-star/Universal and though the extras arn`t that special.
The Commentary by Stephen Sommers and Bob Ducsay is good and full of information about the production of the film. Disc Two hosts a few documenatries, the best being the `Spotlight On Location` and the worst being the preview of the what looks like crap `The Scorpion King`.

I enjoyed the original Mummy film a great deal (much to my surprise actually), so I was certainly eager to see this follow-up. I was very disappointed in the end though because The Mummy Returns doesn`t feel like the same type of film.

The first movie was an engagingly throwaway popcorn flick with strong characters that get involved in some cumulative jeopardy. This new instalment doesn`t have enough grounded/simplistic elements in the story and the pacing is numbingly breathless. The characters aren`t as well-drawn as before either and they all seem to spout interchangable dialogue. I think the director shows a blatant disregard for the mythology of the original and makes a rod for his own back (plot-hole wise) towards the end. I don`t want to give anything away, but there are lots of little bits`n`pieces that don`t tally with the other movie and only serve to make a mockery of the whole thing.

If you were to view Mummy Returns as a solo release, then it certainly has plenty of exciting moments and Stephen Sommers has succeeded in a purely visual sense. It`s fair to say that the action and production values are a notch higher than before, but IMO all the important aspects are inferior (plot, pacing, acting, dialogue, logic etc). I miss the sinister undertones of the original and I preferred Jerry Goldsmith`s memorable scoring to Silvestri`s more generic efforts too. So obviously I`m biased in some ways, but I think this whole project shows a certain degree of conceit to the existing fanbase.

The A/V quality is top-draw though and I can`t really fault Universal`s effort here (there`s a tiny bit of edge enhancement, but nothing to get worked up about). The DTS track sounds suitably beefy/dynamic and is a good `demo` piece.

Basically, it`s a shallow movie that fails to sparkle as a story. The only real good-points are a variety of set-pieces and some impressive CGI (although the finale features a very fake-looking Scorpion King). Less analytical viewers who just want some brainless action will probably be happy enough and I`m sure most kids will be entertained by it aswell.

Content

Not too bad the plot of this film is a lot weaker than the first but the action scenes are good. I especially like the scene on the bus.

Video

Good quality as would be expected from a recent cinema release.

Audio

Also good quality with both a DD5.1 and DTS track

Extras

Most of this is the usual PR stuff that is released with these kind of blockbusters. The directors commentary is quite good and the menus are nicely animated however many of the featurettes are not that interesting.

Overall

A not too bad film with a good transfer, but extras that aren`t that interesting

A fantastic sequel, just a pity about the appalling CGI Scorpion King at the end. Video and audio are both excellent (the video would be outstanding if it weren't for that stupid CGI Scorpion King - curse it's black heart!!). Extras are great on the surface but as soon as you start rooting around the 2nd disc you get noting but disappointment. Which is a great shame because the 2 disc version of the original had some great extras.

The 20 min spotlight on location is OK but is the usual backslapping affair. There's the 3 min "conversation" with the Rock (I was actually impressed - the man can actually speak English). All the other extras are OK in one way or another but they are worth the extra disc. The menus are very pretty though.

Overall, I love this film; I actually thought it was almost on a par with the original. Technically the disc is very impressive, but the extras are mostly… well… not. Shame, but the film itself makes it worth the purchase.