FilmFlicking

Emperor Morphetine · Screen Legend Joined: 29 Jan 2008 Posts: 3576

Amazing what a change of plan can do for you! I was due to be off to watch Bournemouth play at home to Gillingham to start their Division Three campaign this afternoon, but because of the awful weather today ended up in the (considerably warmer) cinema. The film of choice for the afternoon was the third 'Mummy' film- 'Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor'. Suppose before I start I should say that you will probably be disappointed if you believe it's going to be better than the previous two but if you like adventure films it's probably a good afternoon's entertainment. A bit of a no-brainer but good fun if you're willing to forgive some obvious flaws.

It's a fairly good story- Alex O'Connell (Luke Ford), son of Rick ( Brendan Fraser) and Evelyn ( Maria Bello ,replacing Rachel Weisz, boo hiss!) is on an archeaological expedition to find the tomb of China's 'Dragon Emperor' Han ( Jet Li), whose story is explained in a short prologue. In essence he's a very bad man! A sorceress, Zi Yuan ( Michelle Yeoh) curses him and his army after he goes back on a promise to grant a wish if she teaches him the secret to eternal life, turning them all to stone and creating the legendary Terracotta Army. An evil Chinese military general, Yang, wants to resurrect the Emperor to halt what he sees as a country going wrong and will stop at nothing to get it.

Meanwhile Rick and Evelyn are now retired, he a man of leisure and she a novelist alongside Evie's brother Jonathan ( John Hannah). They are contacted by the British Embassy and thus the adventure begins........It's a bit hit and miss really though, there are some good action sequences and the special effects and martial arts/fight sequences are great, but I got the feeling that most of the actors were in second gear, just treating the film as another paycheck, and it all gets a bit 'samey' after a while. Plus Maria Bello puts on a preposterous English accent ( she's American).

By all means go and see it if it appeals to you but I think you could probably rent it on DVD at a later date and perhaps enjoy it that way too. Not too sure if another addition to the series is necessary after this one, although it was a clever idea to switch the action from Egypt to China.

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The Dark Side is a pathway to many abilities, some considered to be..unnatural.

Lucifer_666 · Site Joined: 27 Jul 2007 Posts: 12791

Great review bud

I want to see this film but I think I will get the dvd or perhaps download...

I was expecting to hear that it wouldn't be as good as the first two to be honest particularly when I heard Weisz wasn't returning though it still sounds fun and sure what more can you expect from a 3rd film like this I suppose...

I also agree it was clever to switch it to China though
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Catnapper · Site Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 8912

I watched The Mummy on tv last night

It's another one I'm aiming to go and see....I liked the first 2 films because of the mix of action and comedy and I'm looking forward to seeing Jet Li's martial arts again! (He was excellent in The Forbidden Kingdom)

They're saying The Mummy franchise could continue with stories set in Peru or Mexico.......maybe with Luke Ford taking over from Brendan Fraser as the hero?

Emperor Morphetine · Screen Legend Joined: 29 Jan 2008 Posts: 3576

Well by all means go and watch it Cat, you'll probably enjoy it in that case. Funny you should mention South America as a possible next story location too....I shall say no more, but you'll see what I mean if you watch the film.
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The Dark Side is a pathway to many abilities, some considered to be..unnatural.

Catnapper · Site Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 8912

Oh...you've got me all curious now!

Emperor Morphetine · Screen Legend Joined: 29 Jan 2008 Posts: 3576

Good, it'll keep your grey matter ticking over until you see the film then.

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The Dark Side is a pathway to many abilities, some considered to be..unnatural.

Catnapper · Site Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 8912

You big tease you

Lucifer_666 · Site Joined: 27 Jul 2007 Posts: 12791

South America? hmmm...so they are thinking of another possible sequel?

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Emperor Morphetine · Screen Legend Joined: 29 Jan 2008 Posts: 3576

Lucifer_666 · Site Joined: 27 Jul 2007 Posts: 12791

Are they setting up the son to take over bud like the Indy movie kind of?

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