This sequel in the Mummy series find Rick O'Connell, famous world adventurer and mummy killer, up against a supernatural force the likes of which he hasn't yet encountered. The film begins in ancient China, where the Dragon Emperor has mastered a great deal of sorcery, yet he hasn't yet become immortal. He discovers a sorceress, Zi Yuan, who knows how to live forever, and he sends his general Ming Guo to fetch her so that he may learn how to achieve immortality. Yet when Ming Guo falls instantly in love with Zi Yuan, the Dragon Emperor is furious and sentences Ming Guo to execution. Before stabbing her, the Dragon Emperor is cursed by Zi Yuan, and he and his entire army turn into the now-world-famous Terracotta Army, a series of Chinese statues buried for thousands of years. When Rick O'Connell's son, Alex, finds the Emperor's tomb, complete with his entire Terracotta Army, he is unaware of the potential curse he is unleashing upon the world. Meanwhile, Rick and his wife Evelyn are tasked by the British government to return a jewel called the Eye of Shangri-La to China; its value is so high that a number of thieves and wicked types would try to steal it, hence asking an experienced adventurer like O'Connell to take care of it. When the O'Connells get to China and see their son Alex there, tension pervades, but Alex does take them to see the Terracotta Army. However, when a vicious General named Yang attacks, steals the Eye of Shangri-La, and uses it to revive the Dragon Emperor and his army, the O'Connells are once again tasked with bringing down an undead superpower. The Dragon Emperor must hunt down Shangri-La to save himself and make him human form again, so it's a race against time as the O'Connells must beat him there.
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Best part of story, including ending:
It's not as polished as the first two, but I have a soft spot for how silly and light and adventurous these Mummy films are. Fraser is the perfect lead for a throwback adventure like this.
Best scene in story:
In one scene, the Dragon Emperor attacks the O'Connells with snow and ice, and an army of Yetis comes out and saves them. It's absurd but a lot of fun.
Opinion about the main character:
Rick O'Connell is the same type of earnest adventurer of this era that we got in Indiana Jones. He's a throwback, a pulp adventure hero with dignity and a thirst for the unknown.
