Take three parts Indiana Jones, one part Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, add a drop of Darth Vader and a drop of Mummy and you have the recipe for The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. And you know what? That's actually a pretty good recipe for fun, surprising as that may sound. I've never been an ardent fan of the Mummy films, but I've always thought they were a good time. I also didn't have a lot of high expectations for this movie (it's not like Indy returning after almost twenty years), so perhaps that also played a part in how I felt. Regardless of the contributing factors, I came away from Mummy 3 feeling like I had just seen one of the most fun films of the summer. Not the best film, mind you, but certainly one of the most superficially and shallowly entertaining; and that's nice to have every now and then.

Much of the fun of the Mummy 3 is due to the charm of Brendan Fraser. He's one of the few actors I can think of who can do the goofy, cornball humor and actually make it funny as well as pull off the over-the-top action, tough guy stuff and actually make it cool. He's a funny guy and believable as an action hero, and that's no easy combo. In Tomb of the Dragon Emperor he gets an opportunity to showcase both abilities. This Mummy movie arguable has more action and laughs than its predecessors, and at the center of it all is Fraser making it all look effortless.

Stepping in for Rachel Weisz this time around is Maria Bello playing the role of Mrs. O'Connell. One of the great comedic moments of the film is how it deals with this switch of leading ladies. It takes a very Fresh Prince of Bel-Air approach and quickly acknowledges that it's someone different and then moves on.

Despite the change, the two leads still have enough chemistry to show just how in love the O'Connells still are. That's always been one of my favorite aspects of the Mummy films, how Rick and Evelyn simply love each other. There's no angst or unnecessary drama, no contrivance to put them apart and then have them reunite. They're quite simply a loving couple who adores each other, and seeing that on the big screen, especially between a husband and wife, is quite refreshing.

Rounding the O'Connell cast is Luke Ford playing Alex O'Connell. He does a fine job as Rick's son; however, I was a little distracted by his looks. He looks a bit old to be Rick O'Connell's son, or perhaps Brendan Fraser looks a bit young to be Alex O'Connell's dad. Either way you cut it, that part was distracting. But once you get past the fact they look more like peers than father and son their dynamic is enjoyable if at times a little forced. Then there's Jet Li. He doesn't have a whole lot to do beside look menacing and throw down some Kung Fu, but he does all of that well.

Which brings me to the action. Sure it's over-the-top. Sure it's silly at times. Sure it's nothing we haven't seen before in other adventure films (I'm looking at you Indy). But it's still fun in a you-don't-have-to-think-about-it kind of way. Rob Cohen does a fine job staging the action, and shows some restraint in not constantly resorting to CG and instead using plenty of practical stunts and effects work. Of course, this being a Mummy movie, there are plenty of special effects. Like the action, they're nothing really special or mind-blowing, but they are effective and help keep things moving.

Continue: 1 2 3