THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR
9 years ago “The Mummy” was raised from the ashes. It was a good introduction to the world. I even enjoyed it. After 2 years, “The Mummy” returns back with a vengeance and unleashed a wild phenomenon. The sequel was a blockbuster hit worldwide. Rachel Weisz became a Hollywood sensation too and she received a lot of movie offers and award-winning films. She is now an Academy Award Winner but she quiet shunned the new Mummy franchise. I missed her. Really missed her here.
The O'Connells must stop a mummy awoken from a 2,000-year-old curse threatens to plunge the world into his merciless, unending service. Our favorite adventurous family explorer lead by Rick, Evelyn & Alex is on their third explosive journey yet. This time the conquest is in the heart of Asia: CHINA. Hollywood these days is conquering the land of porcelain and dragons. Last year, China was marooned via boob tube in Survivor. Then, earlier this year, two of their superstars joined forces to star in an awful Chinese Narnia movie called “The Forbidden Kingdom” China went animated at summer's kick off with Kung Fu Panda. Then coming on the 8th day of the 8th month of 2008, Summer Olympics' fire will unite the world once again in China too. But before that immense conglomeration, China is going to be flickered again at the big screen before the summer ends in “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.
The new “Mummy” film also has a new director. Rob Cohen who is the auteur of The Fast and The Furious, Dragonheart and XXX was offered to picture the new Mummy. Is he better than Stephen Sommers who made the first 2 films? No! He just made an eye candy Mummy without any exhilaration at all. The movie did not create a lot of surprises and guffaws compared to the last Sommers' Mummy movie. It isn't hilarious and it is quiet serious. This film didn't even surpass the energy in the previous Mummies. Something is lacking and something is missing.
Let's talk about the cast. I really prepared myself for Brendan Fraser coz I despised him in “Journey to the Center of the Earth”. Thanks God that he did not overdo this time. I missed the perky Chris O’Connell. He is so serious this time. In fact he is overshadowed by Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh. I am so thankful that Jet Li is speaking Chinese here because his English accent is very atrocious . Maria Bello is surprisingly “just there”. She's no Rachel Weisz but she created a new Evy. There is no chemistry between Maria and Brendan too. Their son is a grown-up hunk now. Is he hot? Hmmm... Luke Ford is a good catch. He is a dead ringer for Chris O’Donnell. He is promising.
TECHNICAL SYNOPSIS
1 Costume Design – Totally awesome
2 Sound –Thunderous and grandiose in a Dolby Cinema like in The Block. Amazing!
3 Cinematography – Just pleasing
4 Editing – Slightly copacetic
5 Musical Score – China Inspired and good but forgettable
6 Screenplay – boring and insipid 7 Production Design – I really appreciate everything! It's fantastic especially the Shangri-la view.
7 Visual Effects – Oscar Worthy! Hands down!
This movie promises a cinematic event based on the trailer. Unfortunately, it's all in there. I don't loathe this honestly. I am just ambivalent. Seriously, watching Michelle Yeoh's spell for the buried dead slaves is truly grand. I had goose bumps watching the awakening. I uttered: Oh this is it!!! OMG! This is really spellbinding. Then after a few minutes the movie ended. Huh? That's it? Give me a break! I want more! I think the TPTB doesn't care about the suspense. They just want to please the eyes of the audience with their highly budgeted effects.
This is a film made for the “general blockbuster crowd”. This is a palpable popcorn flick. Just enjoy the ride coz the movie is still worth the dough if based only on production design, sound & visual effects.
RATING: 2.5 / 5 *
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