Having quite enjoyed the original 1999 remake of the 1932 classic I was expecting (and wanting) a sequel to this and the films 70 million opening weekend proves that I wasn't the only one.

Brendan Fraser (and in fact almost the entire cast of the original) is back as the hapless American treasure hunter who; along with librarian wife Rachel Weisz and his other cronies; has to take on not only a ressurected mummy and his minions but also save his son (who has a powerful scorpion amulet) from their clutches and take on the nasty Scorpion King (wrester "The Rock" in a minimal movie debut).

It's all sorts of Indiana Jones-type adventure in this watchable follow-up that might not be quite as fun and does have moments of weakness but delivers with decent effects (though the completely computer animated Scorpion King in the finale seems to be overdone), a few exciting scenes (the double decker bus and pygmie sequences are nothing if not inspired) and a general sense of "don't take this seriously".

Sometimes though the plot seems to be getting too complex and there's moments (such as the waterfall scene) that feel rehashed from the first one. Fraser is still an affable hero and this is totally familiar which is both good (having the same cast and director back is a plus) and bad (it's not so good storywise). Expect a decent timewaster and nothing more.

Directed By: Stephen Sommers.
Written By: Stephen Sommers.

Starring: Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo.