Chinese Mummy?

Brendan Fraser in search of the mummy.

The Mummy: Curse of the Dragon Emperor (Rated PG-13) 114 mins.

Nine years ago we were treated to a movie adventure full of heart, wit, and dazzling special effects. The first Mummy movie was as close to an Indiana Jones-type adventure as anything brought to the screen in many years. While it was not a classic by any means, it was definitely fun, and it would be hard for anyone to deny that. Unfortunately, The Mummy then was afflicted with the same curse, which follows so many surprise hits; it was given a sequel. Overly busy and desperate to outdo its predecessor, The Mummy Returns simply became just another lame sequel in a seemingly never-ending sea of them (the most obvious recent examples being The Matrix Reloaded and both the overly elaborate Pirates of the Carribean sequels). The curse carried on in the terrible spin-off The Scorpion King, after which the Mummy franchise was mercifully put to rest. That is, until it was resurrected last weekend in The Mummy: Curse of the Dragon Emperor.
My first problem with the new film came before I had viewed a second of it, and that is that this new addition is based in China. Now, maybe I am a little behind in my archaeological studies, but I am pretty sure that I am not alone in thinking of Egypt when I hear of mummies, and China is probably the last place I ever would have thought to place a movie involving mummification and the curses involved (especially considering that mummification occurs largely in part to a very dry desert climate). Of course, this is Hollywood we are dealing with, where anything they say goes, and so I did my best to put this mental disclaimer aside while viewing.

This much can be said for the new Mummy, it is better than both Returns and The Scorpion King. The change of scenery to China, while seemingly illogical for reasons stated above, gives the movie a fresh area to explore, complete with new mythologies and histories. Dragons, Chinese curses, Shangri-La, and even the Yeti fill up the story, giving the viewer a little insight into Chinese folklore, which remains an area largely unexposed to Western cultures. The film’s plot revolves around an ancient Chinese warlord (reminiscent of the Mongol’s Ghenghis Khan) who once sought a path to immortality so that he might accomplish his life’s goal of conquering the world. In his pursuit, he managed to greatly upset a Chinese witch who turns on him and curses him and his army instead of blessing them with immortality. Of course, the downside to this curse is that it opens the door for this Dragon Emperor to be resurrected in the future and then continue his quest for world domination (is it not interesting how these curses always seem to backfire?). Naturally, this happens in the film, thanks to the young O’Connell (fully grown now and lacking the accent he carried in The Mummy Returns) discovering the Emperor’s tomb and alerting a few Chinese who wish for China to return to the greatness of a millennia ago, no matter the cost. Fortunately for young O’Connell, mom (Maria Bello, replacing Rachel Weisz) and dad (Brendan Fraser) are around to help save the day, and they have taken down a couple mummies in their time. Ok, maybe it was just the same mummy… twice.

The strength of this film comes not from the action scenes or the gaudy special effects, but from the interactions of the O’Connell family. Brendan Fraser plays Rick O’Connell with a twinkle in his eye, and the audience can tell that he is having more fun than anyone while playing the role. Fraser steals the show, while Bello does her best to make us forget Rachel Weisz’s role in the first two films. She doesn’t, but it’s not for lack of trying. Luke Ford as the young O’Connell is rather stiff, but his role is offset by John Hannah returning as Evelyn’s brother Jonathan, who provides a welcome comedic lift amidst a cast that, other than he and Fraser, seem like they are trying too hard. This includes Jet Li, whom everyone should know by now cannot act, but that is not why he is put into films either.

While Dragon Emperor clearly does not hold up to the original Mummy, it at least is enough to help us forget that the middle two films happened. It grows tiresome at times, but is overall a fun time. While it is rated PG-13, it is no worse than any Indiana Jones film, and this is one the kids will definitely enjoy. But then again, it will be just as good on DVD, especially when there is still a certain Dark Knight out there which may just sink the Titanic when all is said and done (over $400 million in just 18 days!).

RATING 3/5