'The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor' review

May compel you to wrap linen over your eyes and nap in a crypt

By Matt Pais

Critic's Rating:

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It's the late '40s and retired mummy-killers Rick (Brendan Fraser) and Evelyn O'Connell (Maria Bello, stepping in for Rachel Weisz) still have more adventure in them, so they fly to China to assist their son Alex (Luke Ford) in preventing a long-dead emperor (Jet Li) from gaining eternal life and waking his dormant army.

Big question: Does this sequel, the first "Mummy" since 2001's "The Mummy Returns," offer anything new -- considering its blatant similarities to "Indiana Jones," "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" and more?

Skip it: Harmless but worthless, "Emperor" puts no emphasis on anything, since nearly everything comes second-hand from other adventure movies and director Rob Cohen ("Stealth") stages action sequences as well as John McCain does somersaults. Aside from Bello the acting's awful---tone it down, Fraser--and the movie's just murky dust in the wind, unable to settle down and spreading apathy as it blows.

Catch it: For Rick's pal Jonathan's (John Hannah) new, archeologist-centric manner of telling Alex to avoid a woman who's been around the block a few times: "That's a tomb in which many pharaohs have laid." Scientists have such a way with words.

Bottom line: Seeing "Emperor" will definitely not be your most exciting weekend activity, even if your only other options are balancing your checkbook or sorting laundry. This is a movie for people who expect nothing and don't mind when that's all they really get.

Bonus: The O'Connells endure a rocky plane ride for which the pilot was too cheap to buy seatbelts. The way airlines are charging extra for everything these days, it's a reminder to savor those belts while they last!

Video: Watch the review of 'Dragon Emperor'

What do you think of 'The Mummy'? Email me: mpais@tribune.com