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The Mummy Returns
Review by Mike Furches (Mike's bio)
Writer/Director: Stephen Sommers
Starring:
Brendan Frazer - Rick O'Connell
Rachel Weisz - Evelyn O'Connell
Arnold Vosloo - The Mummy
Freddie Boath - Alex O'Connell
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson - The Scorpion King
Oded Fehr - Ardeth Bay
John Hannah - Jonathan
Patricia Velasquez - Meela/Anck-Su-Namun
Rated: PG-13
If you enjoyed the original film The Mummy you are in for a pleasant surprise. The Mummy Returns brings back virtually all of the original cast plus a few newcomers including, Freddie Boath as Alex, the son of Rick (Brendan Frazer) and Evelyn (Rachel Weisz) O'Connell. Another newcomer who surprisingly does not get nearly enough screen time in my opinion is Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as the Scorpion King. "The Rock", a real life professional wrestler, is a very pleasant surprise. While professional wrestling is now billed as "sports entertainment" as opposed to "real sport", it should be no surprise that "The Rock" is a talented actor. He did such a good job for the brief time he was on screen in a venue other than wrestling that some will be surprised.
The Mummy and The Mummy Returns use many concepts that come out of Egyptian culture, especially some of the beliefs in reincarnation. It is the concept, regarding the promotion of reincarnation that I had the most trouble with in this film. I do believe that other components of the film give ample opportunity to discuss Christ with friends who see the movie who may not be Christians. While there are components of Egyptian culture that come into play it could easily be determined that even within this film these concepts are proved untrue. What is proven true was actually of some surprise to me and will be to other viewers.
I don't especially like spoiler reviews so I will do my best not to give one here. There are a number of aspects that I would like to point out regarding this film that I did like. Rick O'Connell is referred to as a "Warrior for God" and as the warrior of God he is the one who has been foretold as the destroyer of the Evil Ones, The Scorpion King and The Mummy. Rick is led to the ultimate battle which resembles the battle of Armageddon by a child, his son Alex. Some of the supporters and helpers during this battle are the 12 tribes of Magi Warriors led by Ardeth Bay who is played to near perfection by one of my favorite new actors Oded Fehr. Meanwhile The Mummy is having a relationship with Meela, a harlot and old flame portrayed magnificently by Patricia Velasquez. It is after a Dark Spirit enters into Meela that she takes on the old character of the Mummy's old love, Anck-Su-Namun.
Prior to the ultimate battle, Evelyn loses her life while fighting Anck-Su-Namun. It is through the "Good Book" that she eventually regains life and wishes to tell others of "Heaven". She calls it a "better place like in the book." It is also shortly before the battle against the beast and demons of the underworld that Ardeth Bay prays a simple prayer of "God Help Us". Meanwhile a battle continues in which someone will be cast into Hell. By the way, the Hell that is portrayed in the film does as good a job at showing Hell as any movie I have seen.
Hopefully, from some of the above you can see a few of the concepts in the film that can be used to open the doors of discussion regarding the Gospel with non-Christian friends. When watching the film I began to wonder, did the producers have the intent of leaving such strong references for Christians in the film? I have to say that I don't think they did. However, I do believe that this can be a film enjoyed by both young teens and adults and used to open the doors of Christ's real truth to nonbelievers. There is some scary content for viewers much younger than twelve and some explanation would be needed when the film discusses reincarnation. By the way, I believe the film provides ample knowledge to debunk concepts of reincarnation. The example of a Hell and a Heaven are both prime examples of that.
While the special effects by Industrial Light & Magic are wonderful as usual, I was a little disappointed in the animation effects used for the Scorpion King towards the end of the film. The Scorpion King looked more like an animation effect of "The Rock" than it actually looked real. "The Rock" had marvelous facial expressions early in the move and I would have preferred some method of incorporating the real "Rock" as opposed to some animated character.
Is this a great film? Obviously, no. Is it a fun film in the tradition of Indiana Jones? You bet. The cast is excellent and you will leave the movie feeling good.
On a scale of 1 - 10, The Mummy Returns deserves a very enjoyable 7.5
Copyright 2001, Mike Furches. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
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About Mike Furches: Mike is the senior pastor of United at the Cross Community Church in Wichita, Kansas. The church, located in the inner city of Wichita has a unique ministry to former gang members, drug addicts, prostitutes and others often neglected by the church. Mike also is involved in freelance writing and speaks nationally. Check out his web page for more information: http://www.furches.org/ E-mail Mike |
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