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The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
2008 112 min United States of America, China, Germany PG-13 16+
★4.8
Adventure, Action, Fantasy
Director: Rob Cohen
Trailers
Description
Archaeologist Rick O'Connell travels to China, pitting him against an emperor from the 2,000-year-old Han dynasty who's returned from the dead to pursue a quest for world domination. This time, O'Connell enlists the help of his wife and son to quash the so-called 'Dragon Emperor' and his abuse of supernatural power.
Budget:
$145M
US Gross:
$102.49M
Worldwide:
$403.45M
Starring
Brendan Fraser
Actor
Jet Li
Actor
Maria Bello
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 2009
— Best Horror Film
Key opinion
Tomb of the Dragon Emperor is widely considered the weakest entry in the franchise, criticized for abandoning the charm and intelligence of its predecessors. While some viewers enjoy the shift to Chinese settings and the grand scale of the action, the film is largely undermined by a weak script, jarring tonal shifts, and the contentious recasting of Evelyn O'Connell.
| Acting | The recasting of Evelyn O'Connell with Maria Bello is consistently criticized for lacking the chemistry and presence of Rachel Weisz. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is widely panned for its illogical plot, nonsensical character choices, and poor, repetitive dialogue. | |
| Theme | The film shifts the franchise's tone from adventure-romance to a broad, often forced parody that undermines the established characters. | |
| Production | The visual effects receive mixed reactions: some find the CGI for landscapes and artifacts adequate or entertaining, while others criticize the lack of polish and the failed creature designs. | |
| Culture | The shift in setting to China and the introduction of lore involving the Terracotta Army provide an interesting, refreshing visual backdrop for some, while feeling unmoored to others. |