This is third installment of films from The Mummy franchise and also one of many in the prequel type sequels made popular by Star Wars: Episode I. Although there is no Brendan Frasier or Rachel Wiesz, this movie still retains the trademark special effects, swashbuckling, and silliness of The Mummy storyline. What this movie lacked in substantive acting ability, it made up for in comedy and special effects.
Our story and saga begins with the meeting of several leaders who are at odds with Mennon (Steven Brand). He is a skilled swordsman and warrior king whose goal is to conquer the various peoples of the dessert. He is ruthless, cruel, and merciless and with the aide of his Sorceress has an incredible strategic advantage and is undefeatable. The few remaining free kingdoms fear his tyrannical reign and confer to decide upon a course of action. Among them is the fierce Nubian King Balthazar (Michael Clarke Duncan). They agree to have the remaining three members of the Akkadian race, renowned mercenaries, kill the Sorceress and level the playing field.
The Akkadians, led by Mathayus (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson), agree to the task and set off to Mennon's camp to complete their mission. Upon arrival they discover they have been betrayed and the game plan has changed. The rest of the story is basically the Rock trying to defeat the bad guy, get the girl, and discover his destiny, not unlike the other movies.
I wouldn't call the acting first rate especially not by the Rock, but I must say that you do get entertained from the first minute to the last. There are plenty of action scenes, comic one-liners and slapstick moments. You get to see muscular men and beautiful women (Kelly Hu looks absolutely beautiful, and oh that bikini line).
The best acting performance I must say, goes to Michael Clarke Duncan. He really complemented The Rock and I don't think a better person could have been picked for the part. Also Kelly Hu was well cast for her role.
The special effects didn't fail to impress, again they were top caliber and seamless.
Now the negative. Sometimes the movie just got too damned silly. I guess almost in an Army of Darkness way (a movie which I hated). It also, most importantly didn't give more insight into how the Scorpion King got to be the villain we are introduced to in The Mummy Returns. Some of the one-liners fell flat and a few characters, like the bungling camel thief/sidekick, just reminded me of Jar-Jar's annoying role in Star Wars. Don't worry though, you'll still be amused, and the way the movie ends there seems like there is the definite possibility of yet another movie after this one, hopefully to fill in the gaps in time and storyline. The way this franchise has been going, though, I don't doubt it. Cool flick and if you like WWF or previous Mummy films, you'll enjoy this one. It's a very silly action piece, and that's fine, don't expect anything more.
Billz Movie Worthiness Scale: B-
Billz Movie Worthiness Scale Values:
A = movie tickets and popcorn for 2 (about $40)
B = buy the DVD when it comes out ($25)
C = rent it
D = wait for it to be on cable/pay TV
E = wait for it to be on regular TV
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