REVIEW: The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR
By: Lee Rice

Usually, when a franchise goes underground for a few years, it’s a safe bet that the series is either dead, or that the next installment is going to be a remake. “Tomb of the Dragon Emperor” defies that convention by rising from the dead and delivering a sequel that audiences can get behind.

“TOTDE” is an excellent addition to the franchise, bringing a lot more to the table than the second film, “The Mummy Returns,” which suffered from chronic sequelitis, a condition resulting from unneeded, uninspired, and uninteresting attempts to bring back beloved characters in a soulless attempt to sap your wallet.

Although “Returns” was still moderately fun, it felt curiously bland, feeding us the same villain and throwing in a kid, not to mention casting Dwayne Johnson, (AKA “The Rock”) as the “Scorpion King.”

This sequel moves the action to China, and I have to admit that I had misgivings about that. Usually, taking the action on the road is a sign that a series is in its death throes, or at least desperate for material. “Rush Hour 3” and others of the same ilk may be fun, but it always seems like the filmmakers couldn’t think of anything better for the characters to do.

Here though, the transition really works for the movie, allowing for the same sort of creativity and originality that were almost completely lacking in “Returns.” “TOTDE” uses the eastern setting to give a great new spin on the new villain, and the incorporation of a more human threat than in previous entries was a nice bonus as well.

Also unexpectedly helping out the picture are the vast improvements in special effects technology that have taken place over the last several years. The others were quite good with their visual artistry, but this is the best looking of the lot. Special kudos go to the person that designed the very slick looking battle between an army of terra-cotta soldiers and the disenfranchised dead beneath the Great Wall of China.

One notable change between this movie and the others is the presence of Maria Bello, who has taken over Rachel Weiss’s role as Evelyn. Usually, the trading of actors within a role is a sure sign of disappointment to follow, but Bello really steps into the role. In fact, I found myself wishing that she had been cast from the beginning rather than Weiss, and that is a feat that takes some doing.

Another change in the cast is Luke Ford, who plays Rick and Evelyn’s son Alex. Although his transition isn’t as smooth as Bello’s, he still does a fairly decent job at playing a young man who wants to go his own way in life. Some of his dialogue with Brendan Frasier is fairly well done, and although he won’t be winning any Oscars any time soon, at least he doesn’t suffer from ‘annoying child actor syndrome.’

Although it is more original and features better acting than “Returns,” there are still a few flaws with “TOTDE,” namely that there are a few plot elements that seem to come out of thin air. Sometimes, characters and certain arbitrary plot devices would just seem to appear or disappear without any real set up or explanation. Although this could be attributed to a poor script, I have a feeling that there were one or two scenes that were edited out that might appear when the film finally makes it to DVD.

On the whole, that’s not a major problem. I went in not expecting much, but I walked away entertained, which was more than I bargained for.

Call me crazy, but if they do come out with another “Mummy,” this one was interesting enough that I would give it a shot.

Final Verdict 3/5