Plot
Years have passed since the events of the first film, and Rick and Evelyn, now married with a son Alex, are still searching for treasures in Egypt.
Just as Evie discovers the ancient bracelet of Aunubis, the resurrection of Imhotep is orchestrated by Meela, the physical reincarnation of Anck-Su Namun.
They too need the bracelet, in order to awaken and destroy The Scorpion King, so they can control the Army Of Anubis, and take control of the world.
Direction
Stephen Summers returns to direct. While still “okay” it pales in comparison to the first film. It also feels as if it spent all its budget on CGI before “that” Scorpion King scene at the end. IYKYK.
Cast
Returning are all the main cast from the first film; Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo, Oded Fehr, Patricia Velásquez (who gets significantly more to do in this one).
New cast are Dwayne Johnson (still billed as The Rock) as the Scorpion King (who would get his own spinoff movie too) and Freddie Boath as Alex.
Breakdown
Starting with another exposition opening, that gives us the past of the man The Scorpion King (who lived 2000 years before Imhotep), it cuts to 1933 where a group led by the physical reincarnation of Anck Su Namun are trying resurrect Imhotep. They want him to defeat The Scorpion King, so he can control a large army and overtake the world… so they resurrect him too!
This leads Rick et all to not only stop Ihmotep – but leads them on a bunch of adventures as they have been brought into the fold having just found The Scorpion King’s bracelet (what timing!). Kidnapping etc ensues and there are many more gunfights, running from gunfire (and as much plot armor as John Wick!) There are a few great action sequences such as the gunfight at their mansion, the museum and then the bus attack – with a cool visual of Rick on top of a double-decker bus that has had its roof ripped off.
Things that the film does well is the improved confidence of Evie, who has grown significantly since the first film. I’m not sure how I felt that it is revealed that she is also a physical reincarnation of someone from Imhoteps’ past (she was once the daughter of The High Priest who Imhotep and Anck Su Namun killed, and we see her POV viewing it, in some rather cheesy hallucinations. The choreography during the Sai battle between Evie/Meela is sensational.
There is also a subplot that has Rick as Warrior of the Meli – because he has a mark on his arm… this means all of what has happened between himself and Evie was fate written thousands of years ago??? This is a little on the nose, and just reeked of lazy writing.
The villains are quite villainy – with Meela killing a central character out of nowhere at one stage (they do get resurrected soon after). I didn’t care for Jon at this part, as his sister has just been murdered, and he’s still being funny with the woman who killed her, and barely showing any emotion to her grieving son. (It’s almost as if he had read ahead in the script and knew she’d come back?). There is even a subplot of one of the subordinates who is desperate to kill Alex… yes a grown man pines to kill a kid!
The deaths are much more gory this time (still getting a PG 13 in America and stretching the friendship with it), there is a scene that felt more like Jurassic Park where bunch of mini mummies are plowing through a field of red shirts. Even with all this action, the film does drag ever so slightly.
The final arc, in which there is seemingly a three way battle between Rick/Imhotep and Scorpion King is… okay, and ends with the true meaning of the film… love… Evie risks her own life to save Rick at the end, and Meela decides on self preservation – which leads Imhotep to Hari Kari.
Overall
Still a fun ride, but it is both overlong, and rehashes a few moments from the first movie, (the water wall in place of the sand wall that chases the characters is a prime example) that are either not as good or adds silly plot armor that is more eye rolling than edge of your seat.
The evolution of the Rick/Evelyn story-line is realistic, especially given they are now married with child – it feels organic and what you were hoping for them. Followed by another sequel in 2008 (sadly not called The Mummy Forever) that Weisz sat out due to scheduling conflicts, and thoughts on the screenplay. This has now been made ‘non-cannon’ and will be replaced by a new sequel that is due to be release in 2028 (to be directed by the Radio Silence team).
3.5/5
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Ryan's Movie Reviews 