Movie Review: Mummy 3'

If you’re a fan of the “Mummy” movies, you’ve probably already seen the latest in the franchise, “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.” It opened Friday.

Returning in this threequel is Brendan Fraser. You may have seen him earlier this summer in the remake of “Journey to the Center of the Earth.” In the Mummy films, he plays the role of devil-may-care adventurer Rick O’Connell.

The first two films took place in Egypt. This time around, O’Connell and his wife, Evelyn, head to China.
Rachel Weisz played the role of Evelyn, Rick O’Connell’s wife. They met in the first film and were married in the second. Weisz passed on making a third movie. Rather than kill off her character, the director recast it with actress Maria Bello. She’s OK, but I really liked Weisz.

The “Dragon Emperor” is very much like the first two “Mummy” films: Bad guy gets what he deserved and is entombed in some fashion. One of the O’Connells, in this case, Rick and Evelyn’s son, Alex, releases the bad guy and must save the world.

Jet Li plays the Dragon Emperor. It’s a waste of a good actor and a potentially good character. The director didn’t give Li enough to do or say.

My favorite character — Jonathan — Evelyn’s brother returns in this film. He’s got great lines and is very funny. He’s always looking for a way to get rich quick. Maybe this time he’ll succeed.

Lots of dialogue quips and major special effects. The sound quality varies so it’s sometimes hard to hear the actors.
All in all, if you’re looking for a way to the pass a summer afternoon, this is fine fodder.

(Kay Johnson is a staff writer at the Hutchinson Leader. She can be reached at johnson@hutchinsonleader.com).