The blockbuster global Mummy franchise takes a spellbinding turn as the action shifts to Asia for the next chapter in the adventure series, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. Brendan Fraser returns as explorer Rick O’Connell to combat the resurrected Han Emperor (Jet Li) in an epic that races from the catacombs of ancient China high into the frigid Himalayas. Rick is joined in this all-new adventure by son Alex (Luke Ford), wife Evelyn (Maria Bello) and her brother,Jonathan (John Hannah). And this time, the O’Connells must stop a mummy awoken from a 2,000-year-old curse who threatens to plunge the world into his merciless, unending service. Doomed by a double-crossing sorceress (Michelle Yeoh) to spend eternity in suspended animation, China’s ruthless Dragon Emperor and his 10,000 warriors have laid forgotten for eons, entombed in clay as a vast, silent terra cotta army. But when dashing adventurer Alex O’Connell is tricked into awakening the ruler from eternal slumber, the reckless young archaeologist must seek the help of the only people who know more than he does about taking down the undead: his parents. As the monarch roars back to life, our heroes find his quest for world domination has only intensified over the millennia. Striding the Far East with unimaginable supernatural powers, the Emperor Mummy will rouse his legion as an unstoppable, otherworldly force...unless the O’Connells can stop him first. Now, in The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, the trademark thrills and visually spectacular action of the Mummy series will be redefined for a new generation.

Folks, I simply hate cliches but please allow me to cut to the chase. Why? Why make this film? Why spend the money on this project? Why cast Maria Bello in a role that is as wrong for her as having an elevator in an outhouse? The script is horrible and, if even possible, the acting is much worse. I would love to ask Jet Li if he lost a bet recently. He must have, as I can think of no other reason he would have selected this project. My diatribe on this subject is cutting and I am just getting started. Luke Ford as well as Maria Bello waiver back and for through accents in their performances giving the film an “around the world” quality that still leaves you feeling irritated when the ride is over. This simply adds stock to the saying, “like mother, like son.”

Simply put, I rarely get angry after having seen a film. As a member of the press, I see an inordinate number of films a year, all of them free. This may seem like a great job, but I assure you it has its moments, and this film being one of them. I saw this film for free and I still feel like I was robbed. I wonder if it would be possible to get the two hours of my life back I gave up watching this trash. This film is a train wreck and I advise you to stay away. There is a reason you don’t open mummy tombs and now we unequivocally understand why.

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

Starring: Brendan Fraser & Maria Bello

Director: Rob Cohen

Company: Universal

Now Showing: In area Theatres

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Grade: F
 

SHUTTER: Blu-ray - FOX

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