The Mummy:
Tomb of the Dragon Emperor'

Overall Impressions:
It was alright. *shrug* I can't really say I enjoyed Forbidden Kingdom & then say I didn't enjoy this. For what its intentons are, it delivers. It's a family friendly entertainer with dialogue which at times can be corny has hell, but it delivers a specific brand of humour, which you're not supposed to take seriously, I mean it's perfectly clear they blatantly haven't. I think the film is getting quite the panning for no concrete reason, it isn't half bad.

Oh wait it comes back to me, I know why the film is getting panned. It's that whole franchise thing, it doesn't live up to its predecessors. Well, I suppose that's a bit harsh but yes, I will agree it's no comparison to the prior films, even though they do have the same outline of a plot if you look from far enough away. You could say it is what Indy IV is to that franchise, except they've done it 7 years later instead of 19 years later when people 'hopefully', but to be honest, we all know it's just a sequel that got delayed & lost part of the old team in the making. Standalone though, I still hold that it entertains as a feel-good escapism caper.

It's good to see the concoction they've managed to simmer here. Okay, Rachel Weisz was definitely missed, but that has nothing to do with the film, its just that I kinda think she's cute & it would have added to my viewing pleasure. The replacement does work for the film, just not for the glamour quotient. The kid Luke Ford was just annoying to begin with and later they toned him down to be less so.

On the flip-side though, Michelle Yeoh is always a pleasure to see on screen, she's like Hema Malini, she's beautiful in a very traditional way & oozes that motherly love. The fact she can kick ass too meant she was perfection for this role. Jet Li always plays bad-ass to the tee, his shape-shifting avatar here is no different. Anthony Wong as a dedicated General came as a surprise, I've only ever seen him in Hong Kong films (& he's good).

Brendan Fraser to me is like a white version of Will Smith, he's universally liked, but just by luck less popular/paid. He has scope for a lot more I'd say. Did I forget to mention the Yetis? That's right. There in abominable snowmen in this film, not just one either.

It's an entertainer that I'd happily see again in a few months. No masterpiece, just entertainment. Since when does every film need to be a thought provoking masterpiece anyway? If for nothing else, I would recommend this film for that humour & the yetis!