The third installation of The Mummy was very much anticipated by fans following the high success of the first 2 prequels. I am in a neutral position to provide my opinion on this movie since I did not watch the first 2 installations.(Yes, you didn't read that wrongly, I didn't watch Mummy 1 and 2)Anyway, I was neither receptive nor reluctant to watch this movie and sat through the whole time of this movie; okay, with certain looking away at some scenes.Guess you already predicted my verdict of this movie...
The movie was again written with a simple concept; Brendan Fraser and wife (Maria Bello, in place of Rachel Weisz) has since retired from mummy hunting and archaeology expeditions.
However, when approached to take on a mission to deliver a priceless gem to China, they took it up almost immediately and then they were faced with the prospect of fighting off the possibility of the resurrection of the China emperor.
Jet Li played the tyrannical emperor Han in China who conquered many of his enemies and had them build the Great Wall of China; many of whom died and was buried along with the establishment of the structure. (I suspect that this was a mimic story of Shih Huang Ti).Emperor Han was so consumed by his authority but he was also bothered by the fact of death and aging and thus sought the help of a famous witch/healer, Zi Yuan (played by Michelle Yeoh) who possess the knowledge to immortality.
He had eyes for Zi Yuan and planned to have her for himself; sending his best general; Ming to accompany her on the mission - and Ming and Zi Yuan fell deeply in love with each other; further enraging Han who ordered for Ming's death through the dragging of the horses.
Out of hatred and spite, Zi Yuan cursed the spell of immortality and turned Han and his army into terracotta. Han vows to resurrects and rules over mankind.
Brendan's son, Alex (played by Luke Ford) stumbles upon the emperor's tomb and was attacked by a Chinese woman (played by Isabella Leong).
She was Lin, the daughter of Zi Yuan and the late General Ming. She led them to her mother and they revealed they were immortals. Together, they teamed up to fight against the evil tyrant king from resurrection.
 This film was banned from release in China; as it was believed to defame the grand first emperor of China. Han was a depiction of the famous Shih Huang Ti who instructed the construction of the Great Wall of China. Furthermore, the film documented the cruel act of slavery and burial of the workers on the Great Wall.I found the movie interesting in certain aspect but yet, in general, it was rather dull in the script and nothing to shout about.Jet Li was the wrong guy to play the tyrant emperor as he did not have that pair of wicked eyes or rather, the posture of a villain. Anthony Wong Chau Sang, who played General Yang was in my opinion a much better candidate to play the emperor.
Michelle Yeoh (or Datuk Yeoh) was as usual at her calm and consistent performing posture and did not fail to impress viewers with her believable witch Zi Yuan who had the vast knowledge of immortality.
Overall, I found it rather disappointing for such a highly-acclaimed movie and I heard the same from the previous Mummy fans.Rating: 3 out of 5
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