The Third Mummy Movie

Even though both The Mummy and The Mummy Returns didn't get many favorable reviews from critics, I enjoyed watching both movies. They're popcorn flicks after all; people shouldn't expect something cerebral or deep. What matters is that they are fun to watch. I expected to have the same experience with the third movie as I sat on my seat inside the movie theater--- even if I knew beforehand that it was practically murdered by critics. After the first few minutes though, I began to realize that I might be wrong.

All jokes fell flat. Scenes that weren't meant to be funny were the ones that elicited laughter from the audience. Plot loopholes abound, many scenes defied logic and common sense. All the nifty special effects couldn't mask the tedium shown onscreen. By the time the Yetis (?!) showed up, I've already given up. I hoped that the final battle sequence could save the movie, but everything looked so fake, it was like watching a videogame demo. The only bright spot was the fight scene between Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh--- too bad it was way too short. And although casting changes are always distracting even if a better actor or actress was employed, it's never as distracting as the one in this film. Clearly, replacing Rachel Weisz with Maria Bello was a wrong decision--- but not as wrong as the decision to resurrect this franchise.

And what's with the ending?! They're actually thinking of doing a fourth movie?! Unless they could create a movie that's even half as enjoyable to watch as the first two, they should just keep this franchise buried for all eternity.

I should have just watched The Dark Knight again.