HTF Blu Ray Review: The Mummy Returns Deluxe Edition

Originally Posted by Sam Posten BluRay – The Mummy Returns – Deluxe Edition

Blu Ray Title: The Mummy Returns – Deluxe Edition Rated: PG-13 Screen format: 1080P High Definition Widescreen 2.35:1 Studio: Universal Studios First theatrical release: May 4th, 2001 Previously released on DVD/BluRay: Multiple DVD releases (including an October 2001 collector’s edition and an HD DVD release on January 16, 2007 Director: Stephen Sommers Starring: Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo, Oded Fehr, Patricia Velasquez and Duane “The Rock” Johnson Sound Formats: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1; Spanish & French DTS Surround 5.1 Length: 2 Hours 10 Minutes (BD-50) Subtitles: English, Spanish and French

Note: This review uses a touch of the content from my previous HD DVD review but the conclusions are completely new!

Plot: 2/5
The stars of ‘The Mummy’ return 10 years after the events of the original. Hero Rick O’ Connell (Fraser) has married Evie (Weisz) and the pair have been touring the world in search of antiquities along with their now 9 year old son Alex (newcomer Freddie Boath). Loyalists to Imhotep (Vosloo) have resurrected him once again, and have discovered an ancient artifact that promises to multiply his power to untold levels, once he deals with the artifacts rightful owner that is, The Scorpion King (Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson). Alex unwittingly becomes ‘The Chosen One’ who will bring the Scorpion back to this world, and is kidnapped by The Mummy’s henchmen. Rick and Evie will need to rescue Alex, break up Imhotep’s rekindled romance with his reincarnated bride Anck Su Namun (Velasquez), stop the Scorpion King and send Imhotep back to the underworld.

If that sounds exhausting or too complex, well you haven’t heard the half of it. Proving that Hollywood can’t resist adding either too much action or messing with a winning formula, The Mummy Returns does both, resulting in a spectacle that is high on action, thin on plot, and has absolutely no character development or plot twists. If it wasn’t so fun to watch the action, this movie would be a complete zero. If the action isn’t enough to sustain you, you will likely conclude that no matter how much audio visual wizardry this HD edition throws in, The Mummy Returns is a borefest.

Re-watching this film again on Blu I wasn’t quite as bored with it as I was the first time around, but it definitely does drag in places. I did get a kick out of the pygmy Mummies, and the plot threads regarding Alex’s visions of the Scorpion King and Evie’s channeling of ‘Princess Nefertiri’ didn’t seem quite as contrived, but the ridiculous action sequences, particularly the one featuring a wall of water chasing a malformed blimp and another involving a double-decker bus chase through the streets of England ratchet up the cheese factor high enough to overwhelm any positive impressions that I might have been experiencing. It’s a shame they went in this direction, because the original, while never taking itself too seriously, at least had a pretty smart and fun plot.

Sound Quality: 3/5
If you can survive a film without intellectual stimulation however, at least the audio is fun, and this BluRay version features a new Uncompressed DTS-MA mix. I found that the surrounds were a bit tame during the first half of the film, even during the action sequences, but the second half outdoes even what I remember from the HD DVD. This second half has a full range holographic surround field that is expansively wide and features effects that travel across and around the room throughout the film, even outside of the action sequences. Trains steam from front to rear, weather rumbles across the room, and the Mummy’s minions (especially the pygmy mummies) skitter across all corners. Bass activity is heavy duty, tho on this go ‘round I found that it was a little ‘boomy’ for my taste.

This time I found the musical soundtrack even more repetitive than on first viewing, and a not nearly as impressive as the first in the series. It references that track a bit and is hardly unique which was a bit of a letdown as it was conducted by Alan Silvestri whom has done some great work on other films. The best musical highlights are found in the deep chanting choruses in the darker sequences and those do bring a smile.

Visual Quality: 4/5
Looking back on my notes regarding the HD DVD I noticed a LOT of softness in that transfer that I couldn’t attribute to the original film, especially in close-ups of faces. I’m happy to say that that defect is completely gone in this viewing. Overall it’s a great looking film, especially with the special effects counted in (many of which echo the classic Harryhausen movies of the 50’s). There is no dust, scratches, pops or other damage visible. Similarly, the wide color palette and deep shadow detail are impressive. I did not see any evidence of edge enhancement or other similar ringing or any noise anywhere in the film, and the grain structure is intact but not overwhelming. Overall it’s a pretty great transfer and definitely looked sharper than what I remember from my last review.

Once again tho I really dislike the animation of The Rock’s face on the Scorpion King monstrosity CGI, but this was an issue with the look of the film itself (can you say Uncanny Valley?) and not the transfer.

Extra Features: 3/5
Like the Deluxe Blu Ray for The Mummy, this disk combines a pile of extras from the previous Special Edition DVD and the U-Control content from the HD DVD plus a handful of completely new treats. The full length director’s commentary makes the cut, but I skipped that once again as I didn’t care for the film itself.

The bulk of the content is wrapped up in several extensive behind the scenes looks at the film, starting with a clip from the series “Spotlight on Location” which is a traditional ‘Making of’ segment. Next is a series of looks at the headlining effects sequences, breaking them down to the plate photography and layering the CGI and other elements on top of them and also two comparisons of the storyboards to the final results. There is also a continuation of the ‘An army to Rule the World’ which started on the original film’s extras, although this one isn’t nearly as long or as in depth as the one on that disk.

New on the disk is a brief TV spot featuring an interview with The Rock and in-movie U-control elements. Again I really dislike the U-control implementation but this one at least has the new ‘Fire and Forget’ mode that shows every element as the film plays, similar to a Director’s commentary might, and also lists which chapters have U-control content and lets you skip to them. Since this disk doesn’t have such content on every chapter this feature isn’t a complete waste.

Finally, the video for the video “Forever” by Live (which is used in the end credits) is here, as are two pieces of content also found on The Mummy BluRay, a sneak peek at The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor and a look back at the original 1932 Mummy’s influence, titled ‘Unraveling the legacy of the Mummy’.

Overall: 3/5 (not an average)
The Mummy Returns represents a lot of what I think is right and wrong with film today. I love well done effects and action sequences (and there is no doubt that those in this film were top rate!) but when films like this overdo it and forget to make compelling stories and believable characters to go along with them, it just saddens me. The most mind-blowing audio and polished video can’t make you like a movie any more than what your gut tells you about it, and for me, this movie is a big let down as I really did enjoy the first one in the series. Still, on the whole this disk has a lot going for it and I’m certain that the legions of people who enjoyed this film in the theater and on DVD will be even more enthused about how it fares here on BluRay, especially since I find the video transfer superior to the HD DVD and the audio track is the whole un-compressed master recording. If you haven’t yet seen The Mummy Returns, be sure to bring a whole big bowl of popcorn and check your expectations at the door. Perhaps you will enjoy it more than I did, and if that’s the case you will find a lot of great supporting material to go along with it on this disk. I think the making of sequences were more interesting than the film itself!

Looking back on my notes regarding the HD DVD I noticed a LOT of softness in that transfer that I couldn’t attribute to the original film, especially in close-ups of faces. I’m happy to say that that defect is completely gone in this viewing.

Originally Posted by bases1616 I would have to say that 3/5 I think is a bit low for your audio rating. I am saying this after reading Peter Bracke's review over at High Def Digest. I have been reading his reviews for over two years and he has rarely been wrong with his ratings. He gave it a 5/5 that may be a little high, but I would think this film audio rating deserves at least a 4 or 4 1/2. What kind of setup are you using? I have a PS3 to Denon 3808 so I will have to get back with you after Wednesday when I have checked out this movie on BD.

Originally Posted by bases1616 ...but I would think this film audio rating deserves at least a 4 or 4 1/2.

Originally Posted by Mike Frezon Alex: I gotta say I think it's out-of-line to question Sam's review of the disc--based upon another reviewer's opinion! You even go ahead and question Peter's review of the audio without having spun the disc yourself! If you do, in fact, think the audio should be rated higher after listening with your own gear and ears...have at it--by all means! But imagine if the HTF reviewers started making judgments based solely on what they read by other reviewers. You wouldn't have much confidence in their opinion, would you? I just don't know how you can possibly say such a thing having not heard the disc.

Originally Posted by Sam Posten I'm not offended and thanks for the input. My score stands as recorded, because in my opinion the first half of the movie doesn't match up to the second half surround wise and the score is a bit self referential, and dare I say it, boring. Remember: -Scores our our personal opinions -Scores count both the quality of the original material as a whole and this particular transfer used. This is a bit complex but it comes down to a gut feeling on how to balance those out. 3 is a very respectable score. If you want to here a GREAT Uni soundtrack, grab Doomsday! Again, this is just the first round, they can only go up from here one hopes =)

Originally Posted by Sam Posten Only through debate, learning and making mistakes do we grow. I'm happy with my review and am happy to hear the passion others have for debating my opinions.

Looking back on my notes regarding the HD DVD I noticed a LOT of softness in that transfer that I couldn’t attribute to the original film, especially in close-ups of faces. I’m happy to say that that defect is completely gone in this viewing.

Originally Posted by Mike Frezon Alex: I gotta say I think it's out-of-line to question Sam's review of the disc--based upon another reviewer's opinion! You even go ahead and question Peter's review of the audio without having spun the disc yourself! ...........