The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor Review
Rob Cohen Directs Brendan Fraser with Maria Bello
Aug 22, 2008
A change of writers and directors, a role swap for the leading lady and a seven year break from the last sequel never boast well for a sequel. The Mummy Tomb of the Dragon Emperor already has a lot going against it from the outset. The first and second films were some of the better popcorn thrill rides during their respective summers, and it quickly became a fan favorite. However, concern arose when director/writer Stephen Sommers expressed languid remarks about the future of the film.
Even though a script had already been penned by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar and a director named (Rob Cohen) the film seemed to slip into everlasting development hell regarding its cast. Brendan Fraser would reprise his role, but Maria Bello had replaced Rachel Weisz as the leading lady, and a bevy of side characters were removed. Still, The Mummy Tomb of the Dragon Emperor emerged into theatres on August 1 with at least some of its main cast on board. Fans were able to breathe a sigh of relief as they were certain to get at least one more dose of mummy action. Fans would soon find out that the seven year wait may have been too soon for the formerly great summer film series.
The Resurrection of a Seven Year Old Mummy
The story in The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor is as simple as possible, and is as tenuous as the other two films. Set thirteen years after the last film, Alex O’Connell (Luke Ford) has just made one of the most momentous archaeological discoveries in history; the once lost Tomb of China’s first Emperor, Han (Jet Li). Elsewhere, parents Rick and Evelyn O’Connell (Fraser and Bello respectively) are finding their now tranquil lives to be listless. During the ceremony for Alex’s recovery, interference comes from the general of a paramilitary group in China (Chau Sang Anthony Wong) who seeks Emperor Han’s leadership by resurrecting him. Of course he is able to succeed, and it is up to the O’Connell family, and Lin (Isabella Long) the guardian of Han’s tomb, to stop him.
The story is simple, and that’s to be expected from the series, but that doesn’t mean it’s effective. One of the best parts of Mummy Returns was how the family was connected to the villains. It gave the protagonists a nice layer of emotional depth, but here, the O’Connell’s are barely connected to the plot. It dampens the story and especially the characters. In fact, judging by the O’Connell’s reactions, they seem to think that they’re sidekicks to the other characters. Fortunately, Lin and her mother Zi Juan (Michelle Yeoh) bring a little bit of emotional connection, but they’re not given enough screen time to be properly fleshed out. The back story succumbs to the same fate; it’s very interesting and well done, but it isn’t given enough time to become truly special. It’s sad to say, but the story could have actually benefited from the absence of the series main characters.
The Mummy Returns, Again
Ignoring the sub par story is pretty easy since no one coming in is expecting to remember it coming out. The action and quick wit comedy are the series staple, and while those elements are apparent, so is their tedium. The first big action piece is a chase involving the O’Connell’s pursuing the just resurrected Han after they have just attended a dinner party. It involves chariots, cars, and fireworks and at the climax of the chase, Emperor Han unleashes a strong display of his power and escapes. If it sounds familiar, it’s because it is almost the exact same framework for Mummy Returns opening action piece.
The first time it was an obvious obeisance to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, but here it comes off as the writers being lackadaisical with the action pieces. The same can be said for the rocky airplane crash in a snowy landscape, and the final scene involving a dagger that must be thrust into Han to kill him. It’s not all bad though, there’s an amazing action piece that takes place in the Himalayas at the mid point of the film.
This is obvious where the writers sat down and decided to figure out how to make at least one scene of the film memorable. It’s apparent the writers had a lot of ideas and decided to just go ahead and unleash them all no matter how ridiculous they seemed. It helps that the scenery is beautiful and comes with the films emotional high point. Unfortunately, after that it’s the same routine action scenes the audience has seen hundreds of times.
The comedy in the past two films was there to keep the films lighthearted and to provide a break from the action. The comedy here is hit and miss, and when it misses it can be absolutely moan inducing. Jonathan’s (John Hannah) lines about detesting mummies gets old from the very first punch line because, like the action, it’s recycled from the older movies. The O’Connell’s provide the best laughs in the movie. They way the writers combined simple family arguments with the O’Connell’s unusual situation is brilliant and hilarious.
The results are highlights like Rick and Alex arguing over which model guns are superior for terminating military soldiers. The family as a whole is great, but the chemistry is ruined with the absence of Weisz, but Bello holds her own. Fraser as always brings his unique blend of tough and bumbling, and he’s fun to watch. It’s when he’s given lines that are better reserved for Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones that he and the writing falter.
In the end, there simply aren’t enough good points in the film to outweigh the bad. Even fans who want to like it may find it hard to get around the glaring faults. Supposedly more sequels are in the work, here’s hoping they can recapture the lost magic.
