...the filmmakers have woven a fine second chapter to the Imhotep storyline and this film contains more action and bigger stunts and effects than the first film.
Video:
"The Mummy Returns" is largely identical in appearance to its predecessor, with the exception of having improved CGI effects (aside from the horrible Scorpion King). The VC-1/1080p encoded transfer is presented in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio of the theatrical release. The digital-effects heavy film nicely translates to the home digital formats and presents its lush visuals with bright and vivid colors and a strong level of detail. Once again, the film is like an old McDonald´s BLT commercial, the cold side stays cold and the hot side stays hot. The desert´s warm color scheme perfectly contrasts with the cool colors of the evening London bus chase. Black levels are strong and blacks are deep and true. Shadow detail is slightly improved over the previous films, as the darker scenes have a bit more visual pop than before. The source materials used appear to have been quite clean and you won´t find any flaws in the transfer due to blemishes or other common film defects.
Sound:
I would almost be tempted to copy and paste my comments regarding the first film´s audio section here. However, I catch enough flak for having nearly identical Blu-ray and HD-DVD reviews. Regardless, "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns" are both exceptionally sounding HD-DVD releases with solid usage of the Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 sound format. This is another highly aggressive soundtrack that benefits from its non-stop action. Rear surrounds are used throughout the film and all new swirling sound effects are introduced. There is some automatic gunfire that sounds quite nice and the subwoofer explodes with deep and plentiful bass. Sound imaging across channels is brilliant. The previously mentioned swirling sound effects move from one speaker to another fluidly and naturally. The battle sequence between the War Dogs of Anubis and Ardeth Bey´s forces is another incredible sounding sequence. I can only imagine how this incredible sounding film would have sounded if it were presented in Dolby TrueHD sound.
Extras:
"The Mummy Returns" is not laden with as many supplements as the original film, but the HD-DVD does contain a number of materials that were ported from the original standard definition releases. The film´s menus were far more attractive than "The Mummy," which possessed only the basic Universal vanilla menus. Whereas the first film contained three commentary tracks, the follow-up possesses only one. The Feature Commentary with Director/Writer Stephen Sommers and Executive Producer/Editor Bob Duscay finds the pair returning to the second film with another fine commentary track. The two are upbeat and entertaining and toss information around about the original film and its sequel and show quite an amount of excitement about their two blockbusters.
The features fall a few steps in quality after the feature commentary. The Spotlight on Location: The Making of The Mummy Returns (20:00) is your typical EPK "Spotlight on Location" that is part flashy marketing and part making-of featurette. It has a few interesting moments, but cannot compare to the making of documentary included with the first film. Brendan Fraser and others return to make comments about the sequel, but if felt very ho-hum in nature. Some Outtakes (6:05) are tossed in and there are a couple quite funny moments included. Oddly, the outtakes are presented in a very grand moment and with a promotional spin to them. Live´s Music Video "Forever May Not Be Long Enough" is mixed in with a promotional bit for the film´s soundtrack. This was a decent enough song, but I´m partial to Live. The Theatrical Trailer and a few Visual and Special Effects Formation for four scenes, "Imhotep Returns," "Pygmy Mummies Attack," "Anubis Warriors Rising" and "Scorpion King Revealed" show the various stages of evolution for the scenes and makes for good entertainment.
Closing Thoughts:
I had hoped for a sequel of "The Mummy" within seconds of leaving the theater after watching the first film. My hopes were rewarded with this film, "The Mummy Returns," though I had hoped Rick O´Connell would be off on new and diverse adventures. Though this is just a continuation of the first film, the filmmakers have woven a fine second chapter to the Imhotep storyline and this film contains more action and bigger stunts and effects than the first film. The films of this franchise are intended to be big, effects-heavy summer action films and they don´t attempt to be anything greater in the grand scheme of things. This is another highly entertaining film, but it earns one point less for "Film Value" solely because of some unnecessary exposition and cheesiness that could have been left on the cutting room floor. I have fun watching this film, and isn´t that what really counts? The HD-DVD transfer sports a better picture quality than the first film and equally incredible sound quality. I would be tempted to knock a point of the Sound Quality score for either film, but I can´t find any flaws in the soundtrack and didn´t feel it should have been penalized for not being Dolby TrueHD. There are a number of supplements, though they are mostly unimpressive. This is still a nice addition to sit right next to the first film in any collection. Just leave room for the upcoming third film and don´t fill it with "The Scorpion King." That one can be left out of sight.
Average user rating (1-5):
[release]21216[/release]