Mummy Returns, The (DVD)
Widescreen Collector's Edition
APPROX. 130 MINS. - PROD. YEAR: 2001 - MPA RATING: PG-13
"
Video:
The 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen video image looks gorgeous. The desert vistas look rather stunning, and night-time scenes are very clear and free of grain. The video would rate a "9" if it were not for the fact that since numerous elements of the film were created in a computer, the clarity and smoothness of the transfer highlights just how muddy the effects can look.
Audio:
The DVD contains a Dolby Digital 5.1 English track and a DD 5.1 French. Both tracks pack a lot of oomph (courtesy of a hyper-active bass feed) and directionality. However, as this is not a subtle film by any stretch, the power of the sound field comes from an in-your-face approach to audio mechanics. During dialogue scenes, things are mostly quiet except for the center channel--there aren´t many ambient noises emanating from the surround speakers. Still, if you want an overhead fly-by, you´ll hear plenty of them.
Only English subtitles support the audio. I have a MAJOR issue with the subtitles. When some of the characters are speaking in Egyptian, the subtitles say "speaking in Arabic." Ahem, if the language hadn´t even made its way to Egypt during the ancient times shown in the movie, how the hell could the characters speak Arabic? Chalk up a victory for laziness against accuracy.
Extras:
"The Mummy Returns" arrives on DVD under, Universal´s "Collector´s Edition" banner. DVD-philes the world over are just waiting to see if there´ll be an "Ultimate Edition" DVD of the film. I wouldn´t rule an "UE" out as there´ll be tie-in opportunities with "The Scorpion King" when that feature reaches theatres in Spring 2002 or with "The Mummy 3," whenever that is released in the future. (Universal´s "UE" line has been used for cross-promotional purposes between "The Mummy"/"The Mummy Returns" and "American Pie"/"American Pie 2.") In its present form, the DVD of "The Mummy Returns" boasts quality extras that are, unfortunately, slightly tarnished due to the presence of extras meant to brow-beat viewers into seeing "The Scorpion King."
The audio commentary featuring Stephen Sommers and film editor/executive producer Bob Ducsay is the one extra that most directly relates to the film itself. Like the commentary that they did for "The Mummy," Sommers and Ducsay have a lot of fun, production-related facts to share. However, they´re not willing to own up to the fact that they made a sub-par film. I find it infinitely fascinating that someone would take credit for making "The Mummy Returns" or "Pearl Harbor" but Stanley Kubrick would disown "Spartacus." Weird, dude.
As per standard practice, the DVD includes a "Spotlight on Location" featurette about the making of the film. Comprised mainly of interviews, this is mostly fluff that was already seen on "The Mummy": Ultimate Edition DVD. Text notes in "Egyptology 201" expand on the information found in "Egyptology 101" on the DVD releases of "The Mummy." There are outtakes presented in the form of a trailer--theses are pretty funny and not-to-be-missed.
An extra that I really like is the "Visual and Special Effects Formation" section of the disc. You get a behind-the-scenes, step-by-step, process-by-process look at four effects-laden scenes, and you get an appreciation for the hard work that goes into making an effects extravaganza.
The music band Live made the "Forever May Not Be Long Enough" music video that uses some footage/sets/props from "The Mummy Returns," and that music video shows up on the DVD.
An even odder, non-sequiter-ish extra is "A Special Message From Oded Fehr." The actor, uncomfortably surrounded by young children and doing a bad job of reading off cue cards, asks for your help in the fight against cancer.
The back of the DVD´s keepcase and the DVD´s menus practically force you to access "An Exclusive Conversation with The Rock," a four-minute or so fluff piece designed to allow The Rock to promoted himself and his first starring role. One of the blonde "reporters" from Access Hollywood "interviews" him. There´s a very rough trailer for "The Scorpion King" as well.
Universal has included two promos for its theme parks, one about its new "The Mummy" exhibit and one about booking reservations at its theme parks worldwide. There´s also a promo for the PlayStation 2 game "The Mummy Returns."
There are the usual "Production Notes," "Cast and Filmmakers" biographies/filmographies, Universal film "Recommendations" and the film´s final trailer. Alas, Universal did not see fit to include the teaser trailer.
If you have DVD-ROM access on your computer, you can play around with quite a number of interactive displays, games, screensavers, information databases, etc.
Those of you who love Easter Eggs are in luck. On the second menu page under "Bonus Materials," highlight the word "Menu" at the bottom of the page. Then, move the cursor up one notch. This will highlight a couple of symbols. Clicking on the symbols will lead you to a brief video clip of the DVD´s production credits.
Finally, there is a mini-booklet that provides DVD cover art, brief text notes on the film, and chapter listings.
Entertainment Value:
Yes, I know, we usually go to the movies with a healthy suspension of disbelief. Yet, if "logic" is defined by a concept´s internal consistencies, then "The Mummy Returns" is a spectacular exercise in reveling in inconsistencies. Our heroes get hurt, yet they can outrun the rising of the sun? Yeah, right. Stephen Sommers should make up his mind--are his characters human or super-human?
The 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen video image looks gorgeous. The desert vistas look rather stunning, and night-time scenes are very clear and free of grain. The video would rate a "9" if it were not for the fact that since numerous elements of the film were created in a computer, the clarity and smoothness of the transfer highlights just how muddy the effects can look.
Audio:
The DVD contains a Dolby Digital 5.1 English track and a DD 5.1 French. Both tracks pack a lot of oomph (courtesy of a hyper-active bass feed) and directionality. However, as this is not a subtle film by any stretch, the power of the sound field comes from an in-your-face approach to audio mechanics. During dialogue scenes, things are mostly quiet except for the center channel--there aren´t many ambient noises emanating from the surround speakers. Still, if you want an overhead fly-by, you´ll hear plenty of them.
Only English subtitles support the audio. I have a MAJOR issue with the subtitles. When some of the characters are speaking in Egyptian, the subtitles say "speaking in Arabic." Ahem, if the language hadn´t even made its way to Egypt during the ancient times shown in the movie, how the hell could the characters speak Arabic? Chalk up a victory for laziness against accuracy.
Extras:
"The Mummy Returns" arrives on DVD under, Universal´s "Collector´s Edition" banner. DVD-philes the world over are just waiting to see if there´ll be an "Ultimate Edition" DVD of the film. I wouldn´t rule an "UE" out as there´ll be tie-in opportunities with "The Scorpion King" when that feature reaches theatres in Spring 2002 or with "The Mummy 3," whenever that is released in the future. (Universal´s "UE" line has been used for cross-promotional purposes between "The Mummy"/"The Mummy Returns" and "American Pie"/"American Pie 2.") In its present form, the DVD of "The Mummy Returns" boasts quality extras that are, unfortunately, slightly tarnished due to the presence of extras meant to brow-beat viewers into seeing "The Scorpion King."
The audio commentary featuring Stephen Sommers and film editor/executive producer Bob Ducsay is the one extra that most directly relates to the film itself. Like the commentary that they did for "The Mummy," Sommers and Ducsay have a lot of fun, production-related facts to share. However, they´re not willing to own up to the fact that they made a sub-par film. I find it infinitely fascinating that someone would take credit for making "The Mummy Returns" or "Pearl Harbor" but Stanley Kubrick would disown "Spartacus." Weird, dude.
As per standard practice, the DVD includes a "Spotlight on Location" featurette about the making of the film. Comprised mainly of interviews, this is mostly fluff that was already seen on "The Mummy": Ultimate Edition DVD. Text notes in "Egyptology 201" expand on the information found in "Egyptology 101" on the DVD releases of "The Mummy." There are outtakes presented in the form of a trailer--theses are pretty funny and not-to-be-missed.
An extra that I really like is the "Visual and Special Effects Formation" section of the disc. You get a behind-the-scenes, step-by-step, process-by-process look at four effects-laden scenes, and you get an appreciation for the hard work that goes into making an effects extravaganza.
The music band Live made the "Forever May Not Be Long Enough" music video that uses some footage/sets/props from "The Mummy Returns," and that music video shows up on the DVD.
An even odder, non-sequiter-ish extra is "A Special Message From Oded Fehr." The actor, uncomfortably surrounded by young children and doing a bad job of reading off cue cards, asks for your help in the fight against cancer.
The back of the DVD´s keepcase and the DVD´s menus practically force you to access "An Exclusive Conversation with The Rock," a four-minute or so fluff piece designed to allow The Rock to promoted himself and his first starring role. One of the blonde "reporters" from Access Hollywood "interviews" him. There´s a very rough trailer for "The Scorpion King" as well.
Universal has included two promos for its theme parks, one about its new "The Mummy" exhibit and one about booking reservations at its theme parks worldwide. There´s also a promo for the PlayStation 2 game "The Mummy Returns."
There are the usual "Production Notes," "Cast and Filmmakers" biographies/filmographies, Universal film "Recommendations" and the film´s final trailer. Alas, Universal did not see fit to include the teaser trailer.
If you have DVD-ROM access on your computer, you can play around with quite a number of interactive displays, games, screensavers, information databases, etc.
Those of you who love Easter Eggs are in luck. On the second menu page under "Bonus Materials," highlight the word "Menu" at the bottom of the page. Then, move the cursor up one notch. This will highlight a couple of symbols. Clicking on the symbols will lead you to a brief video clip of the DVD´s production credits.
Finally, there is a mini-booklet that provides DVD cover art, brief text notes on the film, and chapter listings.
Entertainment Value:
Yes, I know, we usually go to the movies with a healthy suspension of disbelief. Yet, if "logic" is defined by a concept´s internal consistencies, then "The Mummy Returns" is a spectacular exercise in reveling in inconsistencies. Our heroes get hurt, yet they can outrun the rising of the sun? Yeah, right. Stephen Sommers should make up his mind--are his characters human or super-human?
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