The Mummy / The Mummy Returns / The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor / Blu-ray + Digital CopyUniversal Studios | 1999-2008 | 3 Movies | 367 min | Rated PG-13 | Dec 16, 2008
Deluxe Edition
Universal Studios | 1999 | 125 min | Rated PG-13 | Region free
| Jul 22, 2008
A full-scale re-imagining of Universal Pictures' seminal 1932 film, The Mummy is a rousing,
humorous, suspenseful and horrifying epic about an expedition of treasure-seeking explorers in
the Sahara Desert in 1925. Stumbling...
Deluxe Edition
Universal Studios | 2001 | 130 min | Rated PG-13 | Region free
| Jul 22, 2008
It is 1933, and 8 years have passed since dashing legionnaire Rick O'Connell and fearless
Egyptologist Evelyn fought for their lives against a 3000-year-old enemy named Imhotep. Rick
and Evelyn are married now, raising their...
Deluxe Edition
Universal Studios | 2008 | 112 min | Rated PG-13 | Region free
| Dec 16, 2008
A despotic Emperor (Jet Li) in 50 B.C. is punished for his evil when a witch lays a curse on
him, turning him and his army into terra cotta for all time. Forward to 1946, where Rick
(Brendan Fraser) and Evelyn (Maria Bello)...
The Mummy franchise is pure cinema gold, as rich, ornate, and grandiose as the ancient
resurrected rulers depicted in the film and the cities from which they hail. Starting with an inventive
and
fun
adventure
that introduced audiences to a brand new, likable hero and featuring the violent and
special-effects
laden collision of the ancient and modern worlds, the first film paved the way for what has
become a
lucrative, and mostly entertaining, trilogy. Despite the originality and through-the-roof fun factor
of
the first film, the second and third film's journeys to the promised land of large box office grosses
and obscene home video revenue (many thanks to its multiple releases across several formats)
has
stemmed from a rather standard progression of regression. The second film, The Mummy
Returns,
felt bigger and better, but lacked in the story department, a fault made up for by the retention of
the primary cast and director Stephen Sommers, lending both credibility and a sense of continuity
to the film. By the time the third film rolled around earlier this year, it seems as if the entire
endeavor banked on one thing only: the Mummy monicker. Featuring a new director, a
subpar script, and the loss of a key star, The Mummy: Tomb of the
Dragon Emperor enjoyed a modicum of box office success but failed to live up to the
standards set by the original two films. Nevertheless, all three films are now available on high
definition Blu-ray, looking and sounding better than ever, and available to own at a discount via
this three-movie set.
Brendan Fraser blasts the box office competition in 'The Mummy' films.
The Mummy Rating: 4/5
Engaged in a forbidden love, the ancient Egyptian priest Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo, Darkman
II) is condemned to a fate worse than death for his sins, while his mistress, the Pharaoh's
beautiful lover Anck-su-namun, commits suicide. Centuries later, in the years following the first
World War, bookworm and historian Evelyn Carnahan (Rachel Weisz, The Fountain) and
her
bumbling brother Jonathan (John Hannah, The Hurricane) discover an ancient map
believed
to lead to the lost Egyptian city of Hamunaptra. Determined to discover its riches and secrets,
they enlist the aid of a condemned-to-death, adventure-seeking American, Rick O'Connell
(Brendan Fraser, The Air I Breathe), to
lead the way. Squaring off not only against the pitfalls and perils that await every turn, the
heroes also face competition from a rival group of American treasure hunters, led by
unscrupulous
local, Beni (Kevin J. O'Connor, There Will Be Blood).
When Evelyn inadvertently revives the mummified and not-wholly-decomposed corpse of
Imhotep that was recently unearthed, the ancient priest takes it upon himself to call on an
ancient technique to revive his true love, Anck-su-namun, and reclaim his body and power. That
is, of course, unless Brendan Fraser has anything to say about it.
Underneath the glitz and glamour of the film's locales and special effects, the charms and natural
beauty of Rachel Weisz, and Stephen Sommer's slick direction, what really makes The
Mummy work so well is the
charm, charisma, and lightheartedness of the film's star, Brendan Fraser. Fraser is an action star
with a funny bone, taking the role seriously but playing the part of Rick O'Connell with
tongue-planted-in-cheek. "I only gamble with my life, not my money," he says, reminiscent of
the finest wisecracking heroes the screen has ever seen, including Inigo Montoya, John McClane, and Indiana
Jones. While comparisons to the later, especially, are inevitable, Rick O'Connell is a hero all his
own, a reluctant hero seeking "fortune and glory" like Dr. Jones, but with half the smarts and
twice the wit.
The Mummy is one of the more acceptable remakes/re-imaginings in memory, coming
67 years after the Boris Karloff original. It's the barrage of nearly straight remakes of films from
the 1970s and
even 1980s that really seem to be the more offensive ones. What's the point (The Omen, anyone)?
While Boris Karloff's portrayal of the famed Imhotep is likely never to be topped, 1999's version of
the story doesn't tread on sacred ground, but instead charts new territory and offers audiences
something new and audacious both in terms of its then (and still) impressive special effects and
its humor-laden hero. Speaking of special effects, seeing them on this Blu-ray disc
was like seeing them anew. Indeed, "death is only the beginning," and The Mummy
resurrects a classic horror movie monster with vigor and brilliance while remembering that it is a
summer popcorn movie at heart and never, ever pretending to be anything but.
The Mummy Returns Rating: 3.5/5
Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser, The Air I Breathe)
and
Evelyn Carnahan (Rachel Weisz, Chain Reaction) are
back for more adventures in The Mummy Returns, this time with their son, Alex (Freddie
Boath), in tow. On an archeological quest, the couple discovers an ancient bracelet once worn by
the Scorpion King (Dwayne Johnson, The Game Plan), an
ancient warrior whose deal with the god Anubis spared his life and provided him a great army
with
which to conquer the world. With the bracelet safely returned to London, the family finds itself
under attack from an enemy bent on resurrecting an old foe, the mummy Imhotep (Arnold
Vosloo,
reprising his role from The Mummy). When Alex inadvertently unlocks a mystery that
may
spell certain doom, the forces of both good and evil must not only battle one another, but deal
with
the possible resurrection of another ancient foe, the deadly Scorpion King.
One label which cannot be applied to The Mummy Returns is "brainless action movie."
While elements of standard-fare banality and tedious action/adventure clichés are scattered
throughout the movie, the plot is fairly in-depth and requires viewers to leave their thinking caps
on and pay attention to the film, rather than just gloss over the story and wait for the action to
develop. Viewers may oftentimes find themselves scratching their heads should they not pay full
attention to the plot. Movie fans that are just as
interested in the action as they are the story should not find themselves disappointed by this
sequel. The action often stretches the limits of plausibility and breaks a few conventional laws
along the way, and some of the characters acquire what can best be described as cartoonish or
slightly more-than-mortal abilities. O'Connell now finds himself with the ability to catch knives
and other sharp, fast-moving objects in mid-flight throughout the film; his abilities as an action
hero no longer center on the barrel of his pistols, the swiftness of his feet, or his wisecracking
mouth. While fighting ability is increased, so too is the fight choreography. Director Stephen
Sommers doesn't allow audiences to let their guard down and wallow in mundane, seen-it-before
battles. A fight on a double decker bus speeding through the streets of London is a fine example
of the "new and improved" action sequences scattered throughout the film.
Speaking of London, the change in locations from the desert to the city is a natural progression
for this franchise that was most welcome. While there is still enough sand and ancient ruins to
satisfy your thirst for such locales, another two hours of nothing but would have felt like a
complete rehash of the first film. Fortunately, both the change in location and progression of the
characters feel like a natural one; at no point does the film suffer from a lack of genuine care for
the franchise and its characters. In other words, the change in scenery fits seamlessly into the
world of The Mummy, and it doesn't feel forced as if the reason for the change was
studio politics, budget constraints, or ease of shooting. The Mummy Returns manages to
maintain a freshness and excitement that a sequel to a series of this nature needed to keep fans
in their seats and glued to the screen.
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor Rating: 2/5
Civil war has ravaged ancient China. Through the chaos, Emperor Han (Jet Li, Fearless) and his
most loyal soldiers go on the rampage, forcing the country into submission, making him
Emperor of all the land. Having conquered his mortal enemies, the Emperor sets out to defeat
the one opponent no man has yet to conquer: time. Searching for a way to make himself
immortal, the Emperor learns of a witch who may have the answer. However, the witch tricks
him and his army, turning them into terra cotta, though if the curse is ever lifted, the Emperor
will lead an unstoppable army against the world. Fast forward to 1946. Rick O'Connell (Fraser)
and his wife Evelyn (Maria Bello, Coyote Ugly) are
retired from the adventuring business, living a life of luxury in post-War England. Nevertheless,
the couple, bored with the stuffy aristocratic lifestyle, accept a government request to return the
Eye of Shangri-La back to China as a sign of goodwill. Meanwhile, the couple's son, Alex (Luke
Ford) has unearthed the ancient Chinese Emperor's resting place. Emperor Han is ultimately
resurrected, and the O'Connell family, along with the mysterious Lin (Isabella Leong) must
prevent him for regaining his full powers and conquering the world.
If one is looking for the primary reason behind the failure of The Mummy: Tomb of the
Dragon
Emperor, a strong argument could be made for the Rachel Weisz/Maria Bello casting snafu.
Bello takes the character in a new, practically unrecognizable, direction. Gone is the spirit, fire,
vigor, and passion for history Weisz brought to the character, not to mention her homely librarian
good looks and clumsy yet resourceful ways. Bello's take on Evelyn has her as a pampered,
snotty
socialite with a newfound tough-girl, comfortable-around-violent-action, demeanor that
seems to have materialized out of thin air, or a casting change. At least the movie pokes fun at
the
change in characters in one early scene, acknowledging with a wink and smile that it is well
aware
of the change in actresses. Nevertheless, Bello is still terrible in the role, delivering her more
emotionally-charged lines with nary a hint of passion, at one point telling Rick that they had
spent
their entire lives in search of precious artifacts, and the one thing that is the most important to
them, their son, they let slip away. She says it with the passion of a woman who just realizes
she
has been missing a favorite pair of socks, not a son. The saving grace is the return of Brendan
Fraser in his signature role as Evelyn's husband Rick O'Connell. Rick has "gone soft" in his
somewhat more advanced age, but Fraser retains the O'Connell charm that defines the character
and, in part, makes the franchise. Once Rick is let loose from the confines of his stuffy English
manor and returns knee deep to the dusty and dangerous world of archeological adventuring, the
film gets going and takes on at least some semblance of a Mummy film.
Sadly, it is not just the Evelyn character that sinks this once sturdy and steadfast ship. The
Mummy: Tomb of the
Dragon
Emperor feels forced at every turn, replete with bad dialogue, a story that pushes the
bounds of
believability even for the Mummy series, and an almost unforgivable level of
predictability. Viewers could conceivably make a game out of figuring out who can most
accurately approximate what will happen next, and not just the film's major plot points but the
fine details that move the film along. The movie doesn't even just hint at its very move, it spells
each plot point out in plain detail so that even the most nonchalant of viewers can fully embrace
the story. On a more positive note, the special effects are mostly impressive and remain in the
visual style one would expect from a Mummy film. The film also retains the series'
trademark subtle golden hue over many shots; if nothing else, the movie is slickly produced and
looks and sounds great on Blu-ray. The father-son relationship between Rick and Alex has its
moments, in spite of the rather uninspired performance from Luke Ford. One of the best scenes
of the movie is a 30-something-second discussion between father and son about their favorite
weapons, including the Thompson submachine gun and a Walther P38 handgun. The film's
primary action scenes are also a highlight, playing as generally exciting and well-made.
Universal Studios presents The Mummy on Blu-ray high definition for the first time in a
simply stunning 1080p, 2.35:1 high definition transfer. The studio has certainly done
themselves
proud for what was their debut on the Blu-ray format. The opening, expansive shots of the
ancient city of
Hamunaptra are bathed in a golden hue. The clarity, detail, and color schemes on
every object in these shots, including the gold paint on faces and the gold-colored and trimmed
furnishings adorning the splendidly constructed palace, are terrific. The cloth in which the film's
villain, Imhotep, is
mummified, looks marvelous: this transfer shows off every fine detail, thread, and fray of the
cloth. The Mummy remains impressive not only in its
foreground detail, but medium-wide objects and background information is handsomely rendered
as well. Human characters need not be up-close and center-framed to see the remarkable detail
present on them; medium-wide shots of faces show off every pore, facial hair and bead of sweat
with lifelike clarity. Detail in rocks, statues, façades, and even the sand on the desert floor is all
top-flight. Look at the lifelike realism in the textured appearance of Evelyn's hat in
chapter three. The mask worn by Imhotep as he and Beni meet up with one of the
American gold seekers in chapter 11 is just one more example of the nice detail that is present
throughout the
disc. The mask showcases every scratch, dent, nick, and other blemish and adds
a
realistic flair to the image.
The Mummy doesn't just excel at providing deep, realistic detail. Colors are absolutely
fantastic, too. Whites are true and natural, and the film's primary brown, tan, and golden hues
are stunning and rich. Colors never falter, and along with the fine detail, they are this disc's
undeniable strength. Flesh tones appear a bit warm and on the reddish side of the scale, but this
tone fits in with the warm, earthy look of the rest of the movie. Background images aren't
completely sharp, but there is very little softness nevertheless. A few foreground shots exhibit
some soft edges, but the vast majority of the picture is sharp, clear, well-defined,
and breathtaking. The print exhibits the occasional speckle and blemish, and there is a bit of
shimmering on tightly-striped objects (Evelyn's scarf as seen in chapter four, for example), but all
in all, it looks
fantastic. Blacks are solid and true throughout, and detail is never lost in the shadows, either.
Look at the nighttime shootout on the boat in
chapter five as an example. A very fine layer of grain is
present over the image, and it adds to a perfectly cinematic, high quality, exciting visual
presentation of The Mummy. Universal has hit this one out of the park. It may not be a
completely perfect transfer, but for a film approaching ten years old, and one that has seen
countless releases over multiple home video formats, this is easily the best the film has looked at
home.
The Mummy Returns Rating: 4.5/5
The Mummy Returns debuts on Blu-ray with a transfer that's as solid as the one
accompanying the film's
predecessor. Presented in 1080p high definition and framed in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio,
The Mummy Returns is nearly demonstration-worthy material. The same earthy color
schemes seen in the first Mummy film are back in this one, in parts of the movie,
anyway.
One could almost transplant much of the video review of the first film into this one for a
fairly good description of what will appear on screen. Black levels are as fantastic in The
Mummy Returns as they were in the previous film's transfer. Detail is wonderful, right down
to the most miniscule particles of dirt, debris, cobwebs, sand, and other various dusty and ancient
remnants of the bygone era depicted in parts of this film. When the film shifts to
London, various interior shots appear a bit hazy. Much of the first half of the film is darker in
nature than the bright, warm, sun-drenched shots seen in The Mummy, even taking
into account the numerous sequences taking place inside the temple as seen in the first. These
London sequences don't offer the startling detail and clarity of the bright shots, but they hold
their own remarkably well. Blacks maintain a high level of consistency and colors are vibrant,
noted by the red color of a double-decker bus and other random and brightly painted objects.
Detail remains high on everything from the wet streets of London to, once again, Imhotep's
mask. The greener exteriors that play prominently in the film's final act are lush and realistic in
appearance. Detail in all the green leaves is high in both the foreground and the background.
There is an excellent sense of realism about these scenes, thanks in large part to the first-rate
visuals. Flesh tones are reproduced to perfection on this disc, and there is a deep, oftentimes
three-dimensional quality to the picture. Like The Mummy disc, there is the occasional
black speckle on the print, but it remains in excellent condition throughout. A slight amount of
grain covers the image and adds to the deep, theatrical quality of the movie. Once again,
Universal has delivered a nearly perfect image, one that fans everywhere are going to love.
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor Rating: 5/5
Please note: Unlike the previous two films, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon
Emperor utilizes the MPEG-4 video codec.
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor's 1080p, 2.35:1-framed transfer sparkles in
most every shot. The picture quality is pristine, with excellent color reproduction and wonderfully
intricate detail, noted right away via the ornate uniforms worn by the ancient Chinese warriors.
Speckles of sand; old, worn bindings on books; and leather covers that reveal every crack and
wear
mark are but some of the objects that feature a texture so lifelike that it's sometimes hard to
remember that it's just a movie. There is a mesmerizing level of depth and clarity to the image.
The film's dustier scenes, particularly when Alex discovers the Emperor in chapter five, never
falters
when the frame is filled with sand, dust, and other airborne debris. The debris obscures some of
the
detail, but
the Blu-ray resolution handles such visuals beautifully. Detail in close-ups of faces is also
stupendous; every crevice and pit are rendered in full detail, probably to the dismay of the actors.
The elegance of the various artifacts shine through, too. Black levels are also spectacular and
deep, and flesh tones are naturally reproduced. The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon
Emperor
is another example of Universal's consistent high-quality releases and dedication to the format.
The Mummy smashes onto Blu-ray with an excellent DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless
soundtrack. This audio track is a perfect compliment to the pristine video transfer, and it never
misses a sonic beat. The film's score is powerful and engaging, even more so thanks to its
presentation in a lossless format. Every speaker is utilized, and while the score is firmly
entrenched up front, the rear channels are active and carry the soundtrack, too, completing the
experience. The battle scene
early in the movie features excellent dynamics and sound placement. Gunshots ring loud and
true, and the chaos of the battle fills every speaker and rattles the subwoofer. More mundane
sounds, like the flowing of the water over the side of the boat in chapter four, the slightest bit of
audible music in the background as it is played from somewhere inside the boat, and the
squeaking and squealing of an animal off to the side is all meticulously placed and adds a
realistic atmosphere to the scene. Indeed, atmospherics are generally first-rate throughout the
soundtrack. The film's music and action sound effects play in perfect harmony, both presented at
the perfect volume, one in relation to the other, and as fun and adventurous as the movie is by
itself, the music and effects make it all the more entertaining. One of the plagues wrought on
Egypt, the attack of the meteors, offers wonderful surround presence and the screaming flight
paths and impact explosions flow seamlessly across the soundstage, making the experience both
entertaining and all-encompassing. Arguably the movie's most famous scene, Imhotep's
sand attack on the airplane in the final act of the film, offers deep, rattling bass, and consistent
use of the surrounds, and amongst all the chaos and confusion is a fantastically clear and
accurate meshing of various action scene sounds that are never too harsh or undefined. To top
things off, dialogue reproduction is perfect throughout. This is an A-grade soundtrack in all
regards.
The Mummy Returns Rating: 5/5
The Mummy Returns may have made a deal with Anubis to sound this good. Presented
in a lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack, this active, powerful mix is truly reference material from
beginning to end, and as fine as The Mummy sounded on Blu-ray, this one beats it. The
opening battle scene will rattle many a
house from its foundation. It borders on being too loud at reference volume, which might be the
only complaint or concern pertaining to this entire soundtrack. "Crazy" is the best word to
describe not only this brief opening battle, but the soundtrack as a whole. Every speaker is liable
to be blown out by the power and awesome presence of the mix. Fantastic atmospherics are to
be heard throughout, notably in the early stages of the movie in the underground chambers. It's
spooky and somewhat scary, and the effect is first-rate. The opening of ancient,
sealed-for-centuries doors features nice reverberations throughout the soundstage, effectively
placing listeners in
the presence of the tomb. Rushing water in chapter four invades the listening area with
unmatched power and presence. The pounding of the subwoofer is a regular occurrence on
this track, so be forewarned! It's definitely a marvelous and breathtaking sonic experience from
the opening shots of the movie to the final frame. Surround speakers are in constant use. Every
action scene is alive with room-filling, lossless goodness that permeates every cell in the body
with its presence, authority and clarity. The battle scene in chapter 14 is particularly satisfying.
Gunshots and their impacts are present in every speaker. The action is intense
with heavy, saber-rattling power. Dialogue is consistently strong throughout the track; every
syllable is
driven home nicely by the center channel. Simply stated, The Mummy Returns is one of
the finest listens on Blu-ray today.
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor Rating: 5/5
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor offers listeners another reference-grade
DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack from Universal. It is almost to the point that fans can expect
nothing less than demo material from Universal's action-oriented new releases on Blu-ray. As
expected, this soundtrack produces a prodigious amount of bass in addition to some of the other
surefire signs of a fantastic, immersive soundtrack, like exceptional clarity in even the most
raucous of moments and fine directionality and presence across the entire soundstage. Every
speaker offers the full spectrum of sound, from minor environmental support to lend that last bit
of realism to any given scene, to an all-out sonic attack on the aural senses during the most
thrilling action sequences. A scene in chapter 10 inside an old propellor-driven cargo plane places
viewers right in the middle of the turbulent action; listeners can practically feel the bolts rattling,
the cargo shifting, and the plane struggling to barely staying aloft. A shootout in chapter 12 is
perhaps the
best listen in the film. The soundtrack creates a natural, explosive, and very satisfying
experience as shots come from every direction. Short bursts of automatic gunfire and single
shots from lever- and bolt-action rifles scream out from every corner, all coming together to form
action-scene harmony. Dialogue reproduction is practically pitch-perfect in every scene. The
Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor is just the latest in Universal's ever-growing list of
reference-quality Blu-ray soundtracks.
The Mummy regenerates once again on home video, this time on Blu-ray, and it brings
with it a multitude of supplemental features, headlined by three commentary tracks. Track
number
one features writer/director Stephen Sommers and editor Bob Ducsay. This is an interesting but
ultimately standard commentary track that discusses various aspects of the film, beginning with
the
technical side of the making of the film's various early effects shots and drifting to ideas behind
introducing characters, pointing out various other effects shots, some scenes that needed
re-writes,
and so on. This one is worth listening to as background noise. Track number two
is
a solo performance by actor Brendan Fraser. Fraser generally falls into the trap of discussing the
action on-screen (or laughing at it, when the situation calls for laughter). Plagued by random
moments of dead air, many none-too-insightful comments, and generally inconsequential
anecdotes, this track is only for most die hard of Fraser or The Mummy fans. The third
and final track features actors Oded Fehr, Kevin J. O'Connor, and Arnold Vosloo. This is a much
more lively and entertaining track, and one can only imagine that adding Fraser to this mix
rather
than allowing him to run solo may have made more sense, but this track is probably the best of
the three. Vosloo in particular shares some interesting information into his character, various
stories from the set, and other interesting anecdotes.
A five-part feature, Visual and Special Effects Formation (480p), is next. Viewers can go
further in-depth into the various stages of the creation of some of the locales and effects
sequences seen in the film, accompanied by audio commentary. City of Thebes,
Scarab Burial, Serious Trouble, Imhotep Eats Scarab, and Rick
Rescues Evelyn are all broken down into four different stages of completion: "Plate
Photography," "Visual Effects Elements," "Composited Shot," and "Final Feature Sequence."
An Army to Rule the World, Part 1 (480p, 4:02) is a short feature that examines the use
of extensive special effects seen in the film, as well as homages and throwbacks to the original
1932 version of The Mummy. Unraveling the Legacy of 'The Mummy' (480p,
8:07) looks at the history of the classic Universal horror pictures of old, with an expected
emphasis on 1932's The Mummy, featuring interview clips with Stephen Sommers,
make-up effects artist Nick Dudman, and others as they look at the place of both The
Mummy and The Mummy Returns in Universal horror lore. Building a Better
Mummy (480p,
49:55) is an exhaustive examination into the film's CGI-laden villain that examines everything
from ensuring the character moves like a humanoid to the various layers of computer animation
that show a CGI character being chopped in half, for example. Any viewers with a thirst for
knowledge into the world of computer-generated effects will find themselves enthralled by this
feature.
A Storyboard to Final Film Comparison (480p), a feature that allows viewers to see
several
complete scenes played against the original storyboard, is next. Scenes included are as follows:
Anubis Chamber, Desert Sandstorm, The Sahara, Final Fight,
Hangman's Noose, Scarab Run, and Trouble in Cairo. Three deleted
scenes (480p, 2:21), a photograph montage (480p, 4:18), and a short promotional piece for the
new film, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor are included. The Mummy
also features Universal's excellent U-Control system. When activated (a tutorial is available in a
sub-menu), various behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, and more will appear in a
picture-in-picture box in the lower right hand corner of the screen. Effectively, this is a standard
extra implemented as an advanced feature. The integration into the film works perfectly, and the
information
contained therein is fantastic.
The Mummy Returns Rating: 3/5
The Mummy Returns comes alive on Blu-ray with a solid selection of extras, but this set
as
a whole is not nearly as exhaustive as the package found on the first disc. Only one commentary
track is available here, and it contains writer/director Stephen Sommers and executive
producer/editor Bob Ducsay, the same participants from the first commentary track on the
previous disc. As expected, the feel is similar. The filmmakers are eager to discuss their movie,
give
praise to Industrial Light and Magic, point out various oddities and humorous stories from the set,
and generally entertain while enlightening. This one is worth a listen for fans. An Army
to
Rule the World, Part 2 (480p, 5:59) examines the construction of the Scorpion King's
canine-like army, the reappearance of a few bad guys from the first film, and more.
Unraveling
the Legacy of 'The Mummy' (480p, 8:07) is the first of two identical features transported
over to
this disc from The Mummy.
Visual and Special Effects Formation (480p) is a feature that allows viewers to see
several
scenes in varied stages of production, including "Conceptual Stage," "Reference Plate," "Plate
Photography," "Visual FX Elements," and "Final Plate Sequence." The scenes broken down
include Imhotep Returns, Pygmy Mummies Attack, Anubis Warriors
Rising, and Scorpion King Revealed. Next up is An Exclusive Conversation with
The Rock (480p, 3:42) that features the musclebound star sharing his thoughts on the film.
Spotlight on Location: The Making of 'The Mummy Returns' (480p, 20:03) proves
to be
a standard seen-one-seen-'em-all making-of fluff piece. A Storyboard to Final Film
Comparison (480p) is next, allowing viewers to see select scenes from the film played above
the original storyboards. Available scenes include Blimp Being Chased (2:31), Pygmy
Chase (3:13), and Scorpion King Final Battle (2:01).
A music video from the group Live entitled Forever May Not Be Long Enough (480p,
4:33) is included. A series of outtakes (480p, 6:06) are next, followed by the second
redundant feature from the two Mummy discs, 'The Mummy: Tomb of the Emperor
Dragon' Sneak Peak (480p, 3:01). Finally, this disc is U-Control enabled. The
"U" symbol remains on-screen and when content is available, users can view it by selecting it
through the "enter" button on the remote, or have the content begin automatically if that option
is selected in the U-Control menu.
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor Rating: 3.5/5
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor shares its secrets on Blu-ray via a fairly
standard supplemental package for a high profile release from Universal. A feature commentary
track with director Rob
Cohen is first. After a brief introduction, Cohen provides a rather intelligent commentary that
delves into the real-life history behind various aspects of the film, the casting of the various roles,
the importance of adding an "emotional core" to the film to tie the action together, the
advancements of computer generated imagery since Cohen's work on Dragonheart, and
plenty more. The track is a bit on the dry side, but informative. This disc is U-Control enabled
with
five options. Scene Explorer reveals various scenes in several stages of evolution,
including traditional hand-drawn storyboards and pre-visualization sequences, in addition to
behind-the-scenes footage. The various stages appear together in a picture-in-picture window,
and
users may choose to view any full-screen. Know Your Mummy shows various common
themes throughout the series, recalls various character arcs, and more, all through a unique
visual
presentation that plays scenes from this film and previous entries in the Mummy series.
The Dragon
Emperor's Challenge is a "fact" versus "fiction" game where users must answer questions
correctly or slowly increase the level of the "curse-o-meter." Visual Commentary with
Director Rob Cohen shows the director as he comments on his film. This is the same track
as the audio commentary, only with visual accompaniment. Finally, Picture in Picture is
a basic behind-the-scenes feature that offers comments from cast and crew on the process of
making the film.
Next up are a series of deleted and extended scenes (480p, 10:45). The Making of 'The
Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor' (1080i, 22:49) runs a quick gamut of what went
into the making of the film, looking at the complexities of the production, a look at the stunts and
weapons in the film, the various special effects shots, and more. From City to Desert
(1080i, 15:44) takes a closer look at the magnitude of the film and the varied shooting locations
around the world, a look at the lighter side of the shoot, the challenges of the shoot, Rob Cohen's
insistence on historical and cultural accuracy, and more. Legacy of the Terra Cotta
(1080i, 13:35) looks at the importance of
history behind the film, bringing it to life in the film, the significance and scope of the locations
and sets, and plenty more. This disc is also BD-Live enabled, though at time of writing, the
feature was unavailable. Disc two of this set is a DVD that offers additional supplements (all
presented
in standard definition) and a digital
copy of the film for playback on personal computers and portable video devices. A Call to
Action: The Casting Process (4:45) takes a brief look at what each primary actor brings to
their respective roles. Preparing for Battle with Brendan Fraser and Jet Li (10:42) shows
what it takes to create highly stylized and exciting fight sequences in a major Hollywood
production. Jet Li: Crafting the Emperor Mummy (8:01) looks at the special effects that
went into creating the CGI terra cotta version of Li's character. Concluding the supplements is
Creating New and Supernatural Worlds (8:35). This rather brief feature looks at the
scale of the film and the grandiose sets that inhabit the world of The Mummy: Tomb of the
Dragon Emperor. The digital copy that comes with this set looks fairly good on a second
generation iPod touch. The same usual digital copy issues are prevalent here, including some
heavy blocking, but it certainly suffices as suitable quality for viewing on extended trips.
Likewise, the sound is adequate but
nothing special, rather flat but with a few surprising moments during the action sequences.
The Mummy franchise has been a staple of cinema and home video for almost a decade.
Whether through official sequels or spinoff films, fans of the franchise have always had their
appetite for more Mummy-centric action fulfilled in one form or another. Although the
trio of
official Mummy films have regressed one after the other in a fairly linear fashion, each
offers plenty to enjoy, particularly from an action and special-effects perspective. The change in
director and the replacement of a key star in the third film certainly spelled trouble for the
franchise. While the film retains much of the charm, special effects wizardry, and action that
defined the first two films, Tomb of the Dragon Emperor lacks in spirit, vitality, and
perhaps most important, in its script. It's a shame to see the franchise go out on a dour note, if
this is indeed the end.
Universal entrusts this series in the capable hands of Blu-ray, and all three films are
now forever preserved with nearly impeccable and certainly reference-grade quality, available at
the
whim of fans everywhere looking and sounding about as good as the days the debuted in
theaters. Across the board, the films offer first rate visuals and dynamic soundtracks, along with
plenty of special features that should keep any serious Mummy fan busy for some time.
Despite the downturn in quality of the sequels, particularly the third film, the Mummy
trilogy makes a fine addition to any Blu-ray collection, and this set is the perfect way to indulge
in
all three films. Recommended.
If the so-called High-def Week at amazon is doing nothing for you, don't despair - the online retailer has started another, possibly more attractive Blu-ray promotion. Through June 30, if you buy 'The Bourne Trilogy' or 'The Mummy Trilogy', you'll be discounted ...
