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  Directed by
  Starring
  Specs
  • Widescreen 2.35:1
  • 16:9 Enhanced
  • Dual Layer (RSDL )
  Languages
  • English: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
  • English: DTS 5.1 Surround
  Subtitles
    English
  Extras
  • Theatrical trailer
  • Audio commentary - Writer/director Stephen Sommers & editor/executive producer Bob Duscay
  • Cast/crew biographies
  • 5 Featurette - The Scorpion King, The Mummy Returns Chamber of Doom, A Special Message from Oded Fehr, Interactive Visual and Special Effects Formation, Egyptology 201
  • Production notes
  • Animated menus
  • Music video - Forever May Not Be Long Enough - Live
  • TV spot
  • DVD-ROM features
  • Interviews - with the Rock
  • Awards/Nominations - The Mummy Returns
  • Outtakes

The Mummy Returns

Universal/Sony Pictures Home Entertainment . R4 . COLOR . 129 mins . M15+ . PAL

  Feature
Contract

We're in a time when sequels are starting to outnumber the originals being created, whether we've exhausted the endless possibilities for a plot or not. Rehashing the same and making it look better is becoming the norm these days. It is as if movies are becoming software products and we're just churning out newer revisions each year. At least the movie studios don't have a glitch list a mile long and manage to stick to their release dates though.

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It came from the deep.

Which brings us to The Mummy 2001, or as it is known to the public, The Mummy Returns (I've just had visions of Microsoft using Hollywood titles such as Windows Returns, Windows Forever, Windows Never Dies and You Only Reboot Twice). Moving along, it is now some ten years after the original, and the O'Connells, Evie (Rachel Weisz) and Rick (Brendan Fraser), are now married, and still on their outings sifting through Egyptian history with their young son Alex (Freddy Boath).

It isn't long before the main focus of the movie is discovered in the Bracelet of Anubis, an artefact said to be able to resurrect the Scorpion King (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) and his army. Meanwhile, Meela (Patricia Velasquez) is heading up a team of her own trying to find the body of Imhotep in an attempt to resurrect him and his lover Anck-su-namun.

Whilst the action and adventure is up to the standard of the original, the effects and overall look of the film are its downfall. The time from learning of the sequel being developed to the actual release date was pretty quick for something of this size, and it shows in the production with a very CG look, and a rushed one at that. The Scorpion King himself would have been a good candidate to knock off the Queen Alien from Aliens as one of the most bad-ass creatures on film, but where the fully animatronic Queen incites terror into the viewer and combatants, the Scorpion King looks like something out of a cheesy Playstation game.

It's the DVD itself that brings the standard of this movie to an enjoyable level for those that have something of a decent home theatre system.

  Video
Contract

Presented in its correct 2.35:1 aspect ratio and anamorphically enhanced, this image looks simply stunning and improves upon the effort of the original's Ultimate Edition.

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Can you smell what the Rock is cooking?

As another website in the US stated, the print cannot be faulted and because of this, the extensive CG used here provides a distinctly fake and rushed look to the image. It's almost too clean, not as a DVD but the movie visually, and almost begs the question of whether too much CG is bad, or if too much bad and unpolished CG is not worth the effort.

Blacks are beautifully deep, with many moments where only a small section of the screen is lit, providing for an effect obviously intended by the director. The scenes in question don't last for long, as a splash of light brightens the room to reveal some intricate detailing and sharpness not often seen on DVD. The lack of aliasing and grain throughout is testament to those who transferred the movie. This is what something like the Star Wars Episode 1 DVD should have looked like.

Colours are rich and vivid, with the warm desert hues used throughout in direct contrast to the coolness of the Nile and the darkness of the night. This contrast is also a culprit in revealing the CG elements all too easily.

  Audio
Contract

Here's where the DVD really shines, as we are presented with both a Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 soundtrack that will rock the very foundations of your house and possibly your relationships with your neighbours, if you don't invite them over that is.

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Typical reaction to Hollywood sequels.

Straight up, the DTS soundtrack offers an ever so slightly improved sound stage, bass response and more fluid directionality between speakers. In saying that, both soundtracks are an exceptional example of how an over-crowded effects movie requires sound effects to give life to every possible detail. Each channel can hold its own for the entire 12 rounds, and none of them let up for anything more than a minute as the plot changes from one scene to the other.

Dialogue is as expected from such a movie and the musical score by Alan Silvestri is up there with the best of them; sequels that is, not originals.

  Extras
Contract

Whilst not listed as an Ultimate Edition, I think we can safely assume with the DTS soundtrack inclusion, the two disc set and the wealth of extras on the second disc that this package won't really need that marketing gimmick of a title. From the reviews we've read of the US release, it's pretty obvious that there'll be a further Ultimate Edition release there, however we've got the right product the first time 'round here folks.

The first disc, incorporating the main feature and respective audio mixes, also houses an Audio Commentary as the main feature. Director Stephen Sommers and executive producer/editor Bob Duscay rattle off titbit after titbit about the production of the movie, with some key sequences requiring some more attention from the duo that is otherwise covered in some of the other extras found on the second disc. Also included are some decent DVD-ROM features, including Unlock the secrets to the Scorpion King, The Mummy Returns game demo, screen savers, browser and exclusive access to the movie production. Using the new InterActual software, the access to these sections can be a little flaky at times, but Windows Explorer always gives you direct access to the goodies without any bloated browser software required. Both discs feature some nicely animated menus that do away with those hideous Universal icons from past releases.

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Ancient Egyptian aerobic stretching.

Disc two boasts another dual layered DVD full of them side serves of fries, salads and dips. Firstly, we have a Spotlight on Location which is the usual fare where some backstage footage is shot during the production to give us a glimpse of the goings on behind the camera (Ed: You ever get that feeling of eating ice-cream too quickly and getting brain freeze when reading some of these long-winded explanations?). Next up is the Interactive visual and special effects formation, a cool feature utilised on the DVD for the original movie (Standard and Ultimate editions) whereby an effects laden screen is created from initial production drawings to final effects. Whilst extremely interesting, the need to request interaction from the user to move to the next stage could have been replaced by a 'play-all' option per scene. There are four scenes deconstructed here: Imhotep Returns, Pygmy Mummies, Anubis Warriors Rising and Scorpion King Revealed.

For fans of The Rock and those awaiting the next movie related to the franchise, we have an Interview with 'The Rock' that concentrates on his character in the movie and then a look at the upcoming Scorpion King itself, which looks mighty interesting if it can be pulled off. Many shots of The Rock in this collection of clips reminded me of Arnold in Conan. This guy is going to be an action-star folks!

In a different take, a collection of outtakes is presented to us in a video collage of sorts, with some hilarious stuff included. The last of the video based extras features a music video by Live of their song Forever May Not Be Long Eenough, the Original Theatrical Trailer and The Mummy Returns Playstation 2 game preview trailer, although the information on the package would lead people to believe that the entire game itself is included. It isn't. The Mummy Returns Chamber of Doom is a look at the Universal Studios The Mummy Returns attraction.

Remaining are the text-based screens. We continue our history lesson from the original DVD with Egyptology 201, looking at topics such as mummification, King Tut, the animals, myths and magic of Ancient Egypt and the Scorpion King himself. The usual fare of Production Notes and Cast/Filmmaker notes round out a hearty collection.

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Mummy? I thought you said it was fathers day.

Whilst the packaging may claim so, we do not get 'A special Message from Oded Fehr', unless it is an Easter egg that doesn't want to be found. From reports overseas, you'll miss this as much as your in-laws on your wedding night. In all, nothing to write home about unless you're really stuck for conversation.

  Overall  
Contract

I think I've had this case of deja vu before, where sequels provide more spills, thrills and chills but no real substance that the original almost always has in abundance. On its own, The Mummy Returns is a great romp, but with the original looming overhead, it's hard to really restrain yourself from thinking, "Been there, done that, bought the DVD, twice".


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      And I quote...
    "More spills, thrills and chills but no real substance..."
    - Steve Koukoulas
      Review Equipment
    • DVD Player:
          Playstation 2
    • Receiver:
          Onkyo TX-DS777 THX Select
    • Speakers:
          VAF Signature I-91
    • Centre Speaker:
          VAF Signature I-91
    • Surrounds:
          VAF Signature I-91
    • Subwoofer:
          VAF LFE-07
    • Audio Cables:
          Standard Optical
    • Video Cables:
          standard s-video
      Recent Reviews:
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