July Review: The Mummy Returns (2001) (Patreon)

It's alive! Again! But does it have a soul? Eh kinda. Am I talking about Imhotep or the Mummy Returns (2001)? Honestly I don't even know.

Following in the footsteps of the cult classic the Mummy (1999), the Mummy Returns (2001) brings back a cast of memorable characters, over-the-top set pieces, the titular Mummy, and the exact same gags as it's predecessor in an attempt to recapture the lightning-in-a-bottle that made the Mummy (1999) a perfect movie. On paper, it should work, but while the Mummy Returns (2001) is a fun enough adventure, it lacks the sensibilities and heart of the original. 

Heavy on the "action" part of "action-adventure", the Mummy Returns (2001) drops its previously unwitting cast right into the plot of another world-ending Egyptian prophecy. Though their personalities are the same and the performances still charming, the characters have all achieved a level of competence that turns just about every twist into another shootout. Even librarian Evelyn (Rachel Weisz) is swinging swords and shooting shots with the best of them. While there is some enjoyment to be had seeing Brendan Fraiser and Co. pulling off rescue missions with the ease and over-it-ness of someone who's been around this block before, this matter-of-factness doesn't do much to establish stakes. Instead, the film relies on the kidnapping of the young son of Evelyn and O'Connell to motivate both characters and audience to join in on the action. This strategy may work for the characters, but tag along kids have never been big motivators of us on the other side of the big screen. 

All of this is to say, while the Mummy Returns (2001) goes through the motions of it's slightly mystical, action-oriented adventure, it fails to recapture the emotional core of the Mummy (1999). These characters worked because we were unsure of their success, and their flippant quips and know-it-all attitudes only played to provide humor in counterpoint to the very real, believable danger they were in. At no point in the Mummy Returns (2001) was I worried a major character would not survive to the 2 hour mark. By the 30 minute mark in the Mummy (1999), several had already died. In dealing with the survivors, the most popular, the most iconic, the most interesting characters, the Mummy Returns (2001) loses any parasocial stakes, and instead relies on the narrative stakes, without doing the work to create those stakes.

Much of this heartless effect is enhanced by the film's repetition of it's predecessor's gags. While not one to one, the Mummy Returns (2001) loves to look directly at the camera and say "hey remember when Evelyn knocked down all those bookshelves? Well now her SON is doing that with PILLARS!" Sure, the joke still plays, but it's nothing we haven't seen before. I was frankly surprised just how often the Mummy Returns (2001) called back to the Mummy (1999), specifically in regards to comedy. Sequels always draw from their predecessors, but rarely so directly as in the Mummy Returns (2001).

In the opposite direction, the Mummy Returns (2001) is not as scary as the Mummy (1999). The special effects haven't improved much, but all the evil Mummies and mysterious tombs serve more as backdrops for fights than mysterious powers beyond mortal comprehension. Sure, everyone is out to kill our adventurers, but this time, they're keeping pace and fighting back in kind. As our heroes are no longer the underdogs, and their Mummy a known quantity, this film turns into an action fest. This is not a unique trend, film series like Alien and Terminator have all made similar changes as well. It's hard to keep horror, well, horrific, once the monsters are a known quantity. That said, shoutout to the scorpion-Rock hybrid for being the first time I genuinely winced watching this movie. That's some terrifying early-2000s CGI right there! 

I've been negative so far, but to be direct, I enjoyed the Mummy Returns (2001). It's a fun action-heavy adventure film with Dwayne the Rock Johnson and some cool if a bit hokey action set pieces. The story might not be bringing much to the table, but all you really need to know to have a fun time is that there's some big bad mummies and rocks, and our heroes are going to fight them at all costs and quip along the way.

What this movie does best however, is make you want to rewatch the Mummy (1999). The recurring bits, the hints of the character moments we loved, reminders of all the elements that made the original such a beloved film. So if you're hankering for more the Mummy (1999) or you're just a big fan of over-the-top action, maybe try the Mummy Returns (2001). If nothing else, you'll have a new respect for double-decker busses!

6 out of 10 Karmic Scarb Pits