The Mummy Returns (2001)

The Mummy Returns is a lot of fun if you don't demand the technical perfection of the Indiana Jones movies. The characters are pretty much the same as in The Mummy (1999) yet a bit more developed, however, the special effects are often ragged. (Rushing waters defy various laws of physics and Dwayne Johnson reprises his excellent role in The Scorpion King but only as a Doom-quality computer-graphics villain.) I always enjoy Brendan Fraser's characters and here he does the Indiana Jones schtick with a panache that's less wary and world-weary and more mix-it-up. I like Rachel Weisz even more as a "field librarian" who can kick serious butt. The fight scenes are all good esp. Rachel's mano-a-manos with the slinky femme fatale Patricia Velazquez. The undead villain Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo) is more complex and has some challenges of his own. Oded Fehr is a superb protector figure and Freddie Boath is the archeologist couple's plucky young son. Despite the script's frequent whiff of Swiss cheese, this movie is chock full of swashbuckling as only Brendan can swash! I give The Mummy 4.5 stars but, for technical sloppiness, The Mummy Returns gets 4 stars.