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'The Mummy' third sequel is disappointing fare
Rating: *
There have already been quite a few summer action blockbuster movies
this year, and the "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor"
tries to sneak in and make an impact. It is not going to succeed. With
"The Dark Knight" already getting incredible critical and
box office success, any other movie following that one is doomed, at
the best, to be mediocre.
The Mummy franchise returns for a third time and the tragedy of this
instalment is just how much of a good thing it squanders. It had millions
of dollars and some semblance of an interesting story. But it is unforgivable
for the way it wastes some very fine Asian actors like Jet Li and Michelle
Yeoh.
The film makers chose to ignore any kind of story and the potential
good acting at hand, and chose to just go for as many explosions and
as much noise as possible. The plot seems to be at the service of action
and some exotic locales. It takes us to the deserts of China, the Himalayas
and even allows us to encounter some snow animals called yeti.
Even the dependable actor, Brendan Fraser, gets very little from the
script to build on. Another fine actress, Maria Bello, is not allowed
to sink her teeth into the role. There is no chemistry between these
two lead actors or between Fraser and Luke Ford, who plays his son.
Ford could go down as the most bland character in an action movie this
year.
The movie starts with a flashback from history of an ancient emperor
along with his army being turned to clay by a spell cast by a woman.
The woman is in love with another man and the emperor is against this
union. Fast forward a few thousand years and Luke Ford's character has
discovered this tomb, and well, all hell breaks loose after this. This
is also the point where the movies starts losing its wheels and just
rambles on, taking us for an inconsequential ride.
The only good thing about this movie is the action. It delivers in
some way.
There is nothing new in terms of technique or filming, but it does
strive hard to thrill. Pre-teens may find this appealing and adults
looking for a good break from anything cerebral might also appreciate
the explosions.
The director Rob Cohen might have understood this a little too well
and thinks he doesn't have to offer anything more than that. The writers,
Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, are not interested in coming up with
anything fresh or even aware of the sheer acting potential in all their
actors. Each of these actors has won rave reviews for at least one other
performance in other movies. They could have been given much more to
handle in this one.
This movie works best when there are no expectations and demands. For
the sake of pure thrill and mindless fun with action in exotic locales,
this movie will satisfy.
