(3 out of 5 stars)

Brendan Fraser returns as the heroic Rick O’Connell in the third installment of The Mummy franchise. This time around his son is full grown following in his footsteps and his marriage with Evelyn (now played by Maria Bello) needs a kick of adventure. That means it is time for an ancient mummy, this time around a Chinese emperor played by Jet Li, to be resurrected for the team of O’Connell’s to take down.

This sequel adds nothing new and the other two movies are far superior, but this third movie still has the adventure and silliness that is the makeup of the Mummy franchise. The biggest problem is the change of scenery and trying to pass off a Chinese emperor as a mummy. The goal was probably to give the franchise new life and continued storylines, but instead it becomes another Mummy movie without a true actual mummy.

If you are looking for a movie to entertain yourself with on a Saturday afternoon, this one succeeds. Harrowing stunts? Check. All powerful bad guy? Check. Heroic mummy catcher? Check. Outlandish explosions? Check. Epic vistas? Check. Absurd special effects? Absolutely.

Suggested similar recommendations: The Mummy and The Mummy Returns