The Mummy Returns (PG-13, 2001)

common sense media says

Very violent, mostly in comic-book terms.


parents & educators say
  • 33% say violence is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie is very violent, but mostly in comic-book terms. Most of the damage is done to mummies and other non-humans. There are some scary surprises and ghoulish images. There are also very mild sexual references and some revealing costumes.

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: Lots of fighting, scary surprises, some yuckiness.
Sex: Some revealing costumes, mild reference to adultery.
Language: Mild.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Social drinking.

More on The Mummy Returns

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how views on archeological digs have changed since the era in which this movie is set, and about current controversies over the ownership of antiquities. Families can also visit local museums to see some of their Egyptian treasures.

What's the story?

What's the story?
Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz return as Rick and Evie O'Connell, now married and the parents of eight-year-old Alex (Freddie Boath). This time, the Mummy has to defeat the Scorpion King (wrestling star The Rock) to get control of his army and take over the world. In order to find and wake him, they need a special Scorpion-King-finding bracelet, which happens to be stuck on the wrist of Alex O'Connell. But don't worry about the plot. It really doesn't matter how or why mummies and bad guys are chasing them; all we need to know is that they are, and that Rick and Evie have to find a way to rescue Alex, send the mummies back where they came from, and save the world from being utterly destroyed. Fortunately, there's always just enough time for a kiss or a wisecrack -- sometimes both -- before entering into the fray.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Grab some popcorn and settle in for some old-fashioned movie fun, the best in this genre since the gold standard of adventure movies, the Indiana Jones series. The special effects of THE MUMMY RETURNS are sensational, and the fight scenes are well staged and very exciting. One of the movie's great strengths is the art direction. It brilliantly creates the mood, helped along by a period-sounding score.

It's a shame that The Rock is onscreen for such a short time. He makes a real impression in the prologue, but doesn't reappear until the end, when he's part-Rock, part-scorpion. Fortunately, there's an entire sequel titled The Scorpion King just about his character.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Stephen Sommers
Cast: Brendan Fraser, Oded Fehr, Rachel Weisz
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 130 minutes
Theatrical release: May 4, 2001
DVD release: October 2, 2001
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: adventure action and violence

This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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What parents & educators say

12
Based on 9 parent & educator reviews:
  • 33% say violence is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

 
Violent, disappointing sequel not as good as first
I thought the first Mummy, although scary and gross, was great. This time around, we get a little campier, and it just doesn't work. Maybe for some people who didn't like the first, much scarier one, they would prefer this campier, more comic-book-esque adventure, but not me. Parents: although this one is campier, that doesn't mean that there isn't plenty of peril, violence and action, plus several scary images. There's some suggestive content and salty language. Bottom Line: Rent the first one if you're looking for a good movie. Rent this one if you want to take it easy. Thanks for reading! - Movie Man

Plague
parent
 
The Mummy Returns
A nice sequel to The Mummy series. Way less creepy than the first, but really entertaining.

star
teen, 17 years old
 
Not as good as the first and stupid.
The Mummy 2 is exciting the but the visual are bad and in one scene the director mixes up the Rock and a scoripian which is very funny.

bubbo
adult
 
Pretty Lame
Don't listen to what CSM is saying, The Mummy Returns is a dumb, brainless, laughable flick nowhere near the quality of Indiana Jones. It's entertaining, but the acting, script, and plot are terribly cheesy and poor. Stay away unless you think monkey mummies are really frightening. Good for kids:10+

Tsion
parent of 15 year old
 
Very Violent and Frightening...Not for Kids!
I saw THE MUMMY first, and then the third, since this one wasn't at my local library. The first was more of a horror film, and the third was more like Indiana Jones (which made me like it more). Well, I have just remembered the heavenly gifts of Blockbuster, and I rented this one to watch last night. It falls more in vein with the spirit of the first, and is filled with frightening images that will be too horrific for kids. Lets start by saying that any kids who find half-decomposed people scary should not watch this film. The movie is filled with them, and they stalk the main characters everywhere and kill many people (in one such scene, a mummy sucks the flesh off a man's face into his mouth, leaving the man a skeleton). Little skeleton pygmie-monkeys (think Jack the monkey in PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN) impale and slice people with spears. Also, people are shot and stabbed by other people, not just mummies. A woman is almost burned to death. There are some mild revealing outfits and some passionate kissing, that's all. Language consists of one or two "d**n"s and one "go to h*ll". Though several of the characters are evil and self-serving, the main characters are kind, loyal, and sacrifice for each other.

 
This was a good movie, but not near as good as the first. Slightly more confusing and a little slower. Less violence, though, but still some swearing. Not much gruesome imagery, though.

That Reviewing Kid
kid, 11 years old
 
The mummy impresses yet again
Very good family adventure movie is definatley worth a watch.

KayKayD
teen, 16 years old
 
Great Movie
The Mummy Returns is an outstanding sequel to an equally outstanding movie. The scenes are well-thought-out, the action-y parts are well-coordinated, the dialouge is great (no cheese) and the characters are well-done. There is definatly some graphic gun-fighting, and the scene where Anck-su-namun stabs Evelyn is a bit disturbing, although it lacks blood. The violence might bother some younger children. There is light profanity. Light. The role models are good because they fight for what's right. Take Rick for example; he fights to save his son's life and later to avenge his wife. Dedicated husband and father, Take Ardeth; he fights for the duty he was charged with. He has determination and ambition; two great human qualities. My absolute favorite movie.

Ashnak
adult
 
Decent Adventure Monster Film
Some may even say it's a Horror movie

Ghost Rider Sky
kid, 12 years old
 
the only bad words are a-s and h-ll

 
Not good for 12 year olds and under cos of the intense scary scenes and violence.


kid, 12 years old
 
its fine for kids
this movie bombed badly.it was so stupid and boring.


teen, 14 years old
 
its fine for kids
this movie bombed badly.it was so stupid and boring.


kid, 11 years old
 
its fine for kids
this movie bombed badly.it was so stupid and boring.

KIdX13
teen, 16 years old
 
Dumb, stupid, confusing, porley explained...
One thing, WHO THE HECK IS THE SCORPION KING?????? He is just some guy they made up because they couldn't think of a better plot!!! why cant the mummy just return? why dose this scorpion king guy have to be there too? Just read on for the issues: 1. Gunplay, hand to hand duels, and killing, many things, such as the mummy, may scare kids. 2. Mild language including: A-s, D--n, and H--l. 3. revaling outfits and kissing. The only reason to wach this is if you A: are a die hard movie fan, B: a die hard mummy fan, or C: some one who has to watch every movie in a siries so he can see al the new and old charecters, otherwise, don't watch this.

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age