Movie Review: "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor"

2.5 stars out of 5

Huge set pieces. Expensive computer-generated special effects. A familiar story, and.....Brendan Fraser.

I'm not talking about the recent Fraser vehicle, "Journey to the Center of the Earth," a not-as-successful 3-D film released last month in theaters. I'm talking, of course, about the third installment in the popular "Mummy" franchise, "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor," the newest summer blockbuster to hit theaters nationwide.

I got pretty much what I expected from this new film, which is a prime example of what movie-goers today call a "popcorn movie" -- all dazzle, glitz and spectacle (just enough to keep us entertained); no real character development, story direction, or even good acting for that matter.

As the story progressed, I found myself becoming disconnected with the film's plot, which is centered around retired explorer Rick O'Connell (Fraser), his wife Evelyn (portrayed this time around by Maria Bello), their son, Alex (Luke Ford), and the family's attempt to defeat the Dragon Emperor Han (martial arts action star Jet Li) before he becomes immortal, summons his invincible army, and takes over the world, etc., etc. You know how it goes. We've seen it all before.

Fraser is often fun to watch, even when he's spouting out cheesy dialogue, he usually comes across as charming and sometimes amusing. Ford turns in one of the film's better performances as the young Alex O'Connell, who has dropped out of school to become an adventurer, just like his father. John Hannah reprises his role from the first two films, and adds some comic relief, as the O'Connell's drunken brother-in-law, Johnathan.

The film's Chinese actors, including Li and the talented Michelle Yeoh as the sorceress Zi Yuan, are watchable, although much of the dialogue they are given in this film is very predictable and cliche.

The one casting choice I did not agree with in this film is Bello as O'Connell's wife, Evie. I have enjoyed Bello in some of her previous films, but the choice to cast her in this role was a huge mistake, in my opinion. The character of Evie was portrayed in the first two "Mummy" films by English actress Rachel Weisz, who I thought was perfect for the role but opted out of this film. So Bello's job is to fill that important role, but I just didn't buy it. Bello, an American actress, often forced the English accent needed for the role of Evie, and sometimes her domineering performance just didn't work for me.

The rest of the film's story involves the accidental awakening of the Dragon Emperor's mummified corpse by Alex, whose parents come to his rescue once they learn of his whereabouts; a paramilitary group trying to resurrect the Emperor to restore order to the land; a precious jewel called the Eye of Shangri-La; a secret assassin who is protecting the Emperor's tomb; and other familiar elements.

One of the film's most amusing highlights involves a trio of yeti who are summoned to help the O'Connells and their party battle the Emperor in the Himalayas. After one of the yeti punts a Chinese soldier through two large hills, another nearby yeti growls in triumph and throws its arms up in the air as if signaling a successful field goal attempt. Throwing in a scene like this in the middle of an intense battle is a clever bit of filmmaking that works well here.

Without giving away too many surprises or the film's ending, the O'Connell clan and their cohorts eventually work toward a climactic battle with the Dragon Emperor and his undead army.

The film works on a few levels in that it is entertaining enough not to be boring, and features some dazzling scenery and visuals. I guess I was just looking for a little more than a loud, giant mess that really ends up going nowhere.

I had the opportunity to watch the movie on a 70-by-50-foot IMAX screen in Branson, Mo., this past weekend, and found that "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" is an ideal film to watch on the immense IMAX screen; plenty of explosions, battle sequences, and loud sound effects. If this is the type of movie fare you enjoy, then this newest "Mummy" installment will not disappoint.