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The Librarian: Return to King Solomon's Mines
By Joly Herman,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Adventures of nerdy hero find a fun, if rough, groove.
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What's the Story?
Flynn Carson (Noah Wylie) is back in part two of the flashy Librarian series. This time he is a little more accustomed to his role as guardian and seeker of secrets for the Museum. When he is asked by his boss, Judson (Bob Newhart), to seek out the map to King Solomon's Mines, he unravels a personal mystery that involves his own father, while engaging in an epic adventure. He meets an intellectual equal named Emily (Gabrielle Anwar), who holds more degrees and knows just as much about ancient artifacts and languages as Flynn does. Their repartee leads them to a deeper respect for each other that brings them into the beginning of a relationship. As they travel through Africa, they make unexpected friends and discover hidden enemies while they attempt to uncover the secret of King Solomon's Mines.
Is It Any Good?
More fluid and entertaining than the first Librarian effort, Quest for the Spear, this installment features more developed characters and more believable location shots. Though the violence is a tad excessive considering the target age, there is more intrigue in this film than the last.
Moreover, Flynn's female foil, Emily, is as intelligent, bright, and witty as he is. Their banter is amusing in the tradition of Hans Solo and Princess Leia -- they irritate each other as they vie for dominance in the relationship. This is important to the series, as Flynn is the ultimate know-it-all, who has finally met his match. Jonathon Frakes (of Star Trek: The Next Generation fame) directs the film with a light touch. It doesn't try so hard to be another Raiders of the Lost Ark, though some scenes in the bowels of the mines will no doubt ring some bells. Finally, Flynn has found his groove, and the humble caretakers of the written word are once more exalted.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how we view people of other races and cultures. Are there negative associations that you hold against people of a certain background? Who or what taught you to think this way? Which characters in this movie are good guys? What makes them good? Who are the bad guys? Why are they bad?
Movie Details
- In theaters: December 6, 2006
- On DVD or streaming: December 19, 2006
- Cast: Bob Newhart , Gabrielle Anwar , Noah Wyle
- Director: Jonathan Frakes
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studio: Turner Entertainment
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Run time: 93 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: September 30, 2023
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