REVIEW: The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (PG-13)

It�s rare that estimable movies fall in threes. Sure, it�s the magic number, and there ar always a few exceptions (The Godfather, Lord of the Rings), but loosely, the films get worsened as the franchise wears on.� The beginning two instalments of the Mummy 'trilogy' were merriment, witty (in places) and packed a strong enough punch to hold their own against rival action-adventures.� But it seems as the franchise ages, the more important action becomes over content.


The plot of The Tomb of the Dragon Emperor is simple; it�s the Scorpion King, but set in China.� An evil emperor (Jet Li) wants office over the whole world, but is thwarted and encased in a grave for all eternity.� But - surprise, surprisal - he�s set release and the O�Connell�s have to halt him; decidedly a case of seen it all before.


From the consequence we�re introduced to the story of Jet Li�s emperor, to the tremendous final joke that is needlessly spoon-fed to the audience, this film is full of disappointments.� Maria Bello, Rachel Weisz�s replacement, is less sympathetic than the credit cranch.� You could screw in a few hinges, put a letterbox in her stomach, and go by her turned as a front threshold, she�s so wooden.� Luke Ford, a Prince Harry look-a-like, who plays Alex, the youngest of the O�Connell family, entirely misses the �young-Indy� role he was supposed to fill and replaces it with an irritating schoolboy who�s kayoed of his depth, (both in persona and playing ability).� Even the franchise�s reliable comedy beacon, John Hannah as Jonathan, is short of the mark, with terrible one liners and an airwave of annoying desperation.


But in fairness to at least Brendan Fraser and John Hannah, the biggest problem lies with the script.� The writers - including Stephen Sommers, director of the first deuce Mummy films - were so eager to fetch to the action sequences that they completely neglected character interaction.� There is no warmth in scenes between Fraser and Bello, just a few sentences strung together without thought or care.� And just when you think the film can�t get whatsoever worse...the yeti�s turn up.� Yes you read right, The Abominable Snowman makes an appearance to save the clarence Shepard Day Jr. - only sadly not to spare the film.