25 The Mummy Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
The third film in the Mummy trilogy, set in the late '40's. Alex and a professor have discovered a mummified army of an ancient Chinese Emperor. Meanwhile, his parents are sent on a diplomatic mission to China while escorting an ancient artefact. It turns out that a Chinese general wants to raise the ancient Emperor using that artefact. The movie then turns into a race against time to prevent the ancient Emperor from using an enchanted pool in Tibet to gain immortality. There is also a will-they/won't-they romance sublot (with denial).
The Chinese setting is a shift from the Egyptian setting of the previous films. This is welcome as the second film's take on that setting wasn't as good as the first, and setting a third movie in Egypt may have been stale. (How many times could Imhotep come back, anyway?) However, this new setting is used to full effect. Talking about characters – Maria Bello's take on Evelyn was different than Rachel Weisz's. Not just the different character, the writing for the character is more action oriented than in previous films.
Brendan Fraser continues to impress as Rick. 8.5/10.
23 The Mummy Returns
Rewatch. The second film in the Mummy series, set in the early '30's. Thousands of earlier, a warlord named 'The Scorpion King' had conquered most of the world, but was ultimately defeated. In the present, O'Connell's son is placed in peril when an artefact locks onto his hand. Thus begins a chase through London when their son is abducted by a cult! This cult aims to resurrect the Scorpion King, so they could take over the world (Of course). The cult then leaves London, taking Alex, to Egypt.
These chases are well done. The choreography and stuntwork are well done. Of course that is not all that makes a film good. Nor are special effects and cgi. One cannot judge a movie on that alone. The various scenes in which these take place are well written, the emotions involved when one's child and or spouse are in peril are shown well. Brendan Fraser continues to play O'Connell well, easily showing his acting range. The same with Rachel Weisz and John Hannah for their roles. 8/10.
20 The Mummy
Rewatch. The first movie in the Mummy series. An Ancient Egyptian priest who commits an indescretion against the Pharoah. As punishment he is mummified alive... Thousands of years later, in the early 20th Century, a young librarian working for an Egyptologist, her brother and a revolutionary scoundrel find themselves looking for the City of the Dead. They also poke into something they shouldn't. They quickly find themselves overwhelmed with the threat that the creature, the ancient priest has become, presents.
This film is quite good, taking the threat that the Mummy presents seriously. Also the situation in Egypt at the time (both times) is well presented. The main characters are also well presented, being more complex than merely a damsel in destress, a scoundrel or an ordinary guy. Even the Mummy has characterization. It is quite enjoyable, there is nothing that I would object to in the presentation or story. 8.5/10.

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