So, I recently saw both Mummy sequels for the first time.
Returns, in its theatrical rerelease and Tomb on Hulu, which it's about to leave. I saw the first film, when it was rereleased two years ago and, earlier this year, the 1932 original.
But, now, I come in with the hot take: I…loved all four. But, let's focus on the sequels. Both, I feel, managed to capture the fun, humor, heart, and sense of adventure of the first film (the original is a very different beast; it's more a drama than an adventure movie).
First of all, let's get it out of the way, the recast. It happened. Let's move on. Honestly, the London scenes did NOTHING to endear me to Maria Bello's Evie (and see below), whereas THE REST OF THE FILM DID. And, learning about her martial arts background and how she jumped on the chance to be in the movie, just for the action alone, helped EVEN MORE.
Don't get me wrong — I'm glad Rachel Weisz is coming back, as much as anyone else, but let's not knock Bello, okay?
But, I think my criticisms of Returns, while fewer, are bigger than those I have of Tomb.
As much as I love the original movie (except Frank and his supposed "romance" with Helen), my big issues with Return involve its attempts to, essentially, remake said film (a film its predecessor is ALREADY a remake of), all while bending over backwards to include the things the first film subverted:
Suddenly, Evie (who was mistaken for Anck-su-Namun's reincarnation in the first film, due to Imhotep stealing eyes that had a very strong prescription) is now the reincarnation of Princess Nefertiri (essentially a decomposite character of 1932's Anck-es-en-Amon).
Oh, by the way, Anck-su-Namun had a reincarnation of her own, this whole time.
And, while this is not a "remake of 1932" thing, Rick's a Medjai, now? He's apparently had a tattoo, this whole time? It's giving the Amulet of Valencia, but okay…
And, then there's the character derailment of Anck-su-Namun at the end, which I guess is supposed to adapt the end of 1932. I'm blaming the curse the Pharaoh's priests put on Imhotep (and probably Anck-su-Namun, too).
Also, minor one, but Alex was apparently born a year before his parents even met.
Meanwhile, my criticisms of Tomb are nitpicks:
Isabella Leong should've narrated the prologue, like how Oded Fehr narrated the first two movies'.
I wish Wilson had been somebody we knew. His betrayal meant NOTHING!
Back to the O'Connells, how long did it take for them to get to Shanghai?
Speaking of, all the London scenes could have all been cut, except for the scene where the O'Connells are commissioned to return then Eye to Shanghai. They don't do much with the book subplot, anyway.
The filter they put on Jet Li's voice was VERY distracting.
Evie's parka and sunglasses really stand out, compared to the rest of the party's.
I REALLY could've done without that gun-measuring contest.
Why does Yuan raise the army IN ENGLISH!? It was established, at the beginning of the movie, that she read the original spell in Sanskrit.
I don't know; I feel like Lin should've a) gotten to have more of an exchange with her father than "they see each other, before he turns to dust" and b) taken part in slaying Qin Shi Huang.
The Peru card at the end was unnecessary. They did not need to explain the joke.
And, now for some stuff I LOVED about Tomb that many may overlook!
Ming Gou and Zi Yuan are very much a parallel to Imhotep and Anck-su-Namun. This movie even recognizes the king as the real villain!
Rick's death parallels Evie's in Returns.
Michelle Yeoh vs Jet Li. That is all.
Alex and Lin are cute together. She's even the film's equivalent to Ardeth Bey!
Also, Alex is very Indiana Jones-coded.
You know what the first two movies don't have? A heroic army of the undead fighting the villain's army.
Choi and Yang are great human villains with more interesting motivations than Baltus Hafez. Yeah, I said it (honestly, Ardeth's ex Lock-Nah was the most interesting member of the anti-Medjai).
I love how Rick just…has all these pilot friends.
Anyway, all this to say, I know one of the guys from RS answered "Is Tomb canon?" with "Rachel Weisz is in this movie," (which does NOT answer the question), but I hope the new movie at least acknowledges it (even if just in broad strokes), and I would love if Isabella Leong came back as Lin.
