Movie Review - Mummy 3: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

This Mummy wants Mo' Money

Movie Title
Mummy 3: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
Year
2008
Category (Current/Recent/ Blast from the Past)
Current
Genre
Action / Fantasy

Story
Rick (Brendan Fraser) & Evelyn O’Connell’s (Maria Bello) son, Alex (Luke Ford), is all grown up now and is now a full-fledged archeologist in his own right. He uncovers the Dragon Emperor’s (Emperor Han played by Jet Li) tomb in China. Rick (Brendan Fraser) & Evelyn O’Connell have been eventually asked to deliver a priceless artifact to China (that is somehow, surprise!, linked to the Dragon Emperor). We learn from the start of the movie that the ruthless Dragon Emperor was betrayed by his loyal General Ming (Russell Wong) who fell for the witch woman, Zi Juan (Michelle Yeoh) who was tasked to find the elixir of eternal life for the emperor. But of course, the emperor ends up being a cursed mummy waiting to be revived centuries later to cause mayhem for the O’Connells.

Acting
Do not expect award winning performances here although the cast all turn in competent work.

Overall
It’s basically the same movie as the previous 2 but with an Oriental setting, which I thought was kind of interesting. However, they could have included more of Chinese mythology into it. Maria Bello has replaced Rachel Wiesz in this installment. Anyway, I like Bello better. I was also very glad to see Isabella Leong in a Hollywood movie.

Place logic and physics in an air-tight bag before watching the movie ‘cos if not, you wouldn’t be able to enjoy it. Not a bad fun watch.

Rating: 6/10

Comic Review - Fantastic Four 44-47

Title/Storyline:
Fantastic Four
Publish Date/Year:
1965
Creative Team:
Stan Lee, Jack Kirby
Issue (s):
44-47
Publisher:
Marvel

StoryThis storyline introduces the Inhumans (one of my favorite group of characters I never get tired of, unlike a certain mutant team we know) to the Marvel universe (with the exception of Medusa, who appeared earlier as a member of the Frightful Four in FF36). The story doesn’t end here but continues into FF48 where my favorite character makes his debut - the Silver Surfer (and where Norrin Radd appears, can the dreaded world-devourer Galactus be far behind?).

As with any other classic comics from the era, when 2 different superhero groups meet for the first time, there is a misunderstanding and a battle between them ensues. This is no different. The FF first tackles Gorgon before they face off with the entire Inhuman Royal Family.

Crystal (whom Johnny falls hard for during this era)
Lockjaw (as we learn much later, he is actually not a dog but an inhuman Royal Member)
Karnak
Triton
Black Bolt (in the final panel of FF45)
The Seeker (An Inhuman commissioned to bring the Inhumans who had left the Great Refuge back to it)
Maximus (Black Bolt’s power-mad brother)

Dragon Man is thrown into the mix for added mayhem.

Art
This is classic/vintage Kirby. It will seem dated because these were from 1965! You can appreciate the brilliance of Kirby’s work because as you flip thru the pages, you will see how some of the great artists today got their artistic influence.

The art is not picture perfect like Alex Ross or John Cassaday’s or super sexy like Jim Lee or J. Scott Campbell’s, but it exudes a charm and the power it conveys, given the limitations of the medium at that time.

Additional Comments
FF 45 also introduces the FF Jet Cycle for the 1st time. The FF had no choice but to use the Jet Cycle (which Reed had to quickly complete as it was still in development when Gorgon arrived) because Gorgon had taken the FF’s Copter and destroyed all of the FF’s flying vehicles – the Pogo Plane and Fantasticar, to prevent them from following him while he pursues Medusa and Johhny.

This story leads directly into 1 of comicdom's most legendary storylines in FF 48 - The Coming of Galactus!

Movie Review - Space Chimps

Movie Title
Space Chimps
Year
2008
Category (Current/Recent/ Blast from the Past)
Current
Genre

Animation

Story
A space probe is lost – seemingly sucked by a wormhole to another universe. The space agency wants to retrieve the probe but are afraid to send humans, hence the Space Chimps. …Aaaand, because the trained space chimps are too nerdy to be the poster boys for the Agency, hence they need a chimp that’s hip & cool. That’s how Ham III (grandson of the first chimp astronaut, Ham I) come into the picture.

So, predictably, they go and successfully retrieve the probe. And along they way, save an alien civilization.

Acting
Pretty mediocre stuff. The characters are voiced by virtual unknowns (to me at least) except for Stanley Tucci who provides the voice for the Senator.

The animation is competent but very dull. Character design also leave a lot to be desired (meaning to say, if there were a toy line for them, they wouldn’t be flying off the shelves OR do you see Mc Donald’s having their pictures for their Happy Meal?)

There is 1 cute character that stood out tho’ Kilowatt – a high pitched alien whose giant-sized head lights up whenever she’s afraid.

Overall
Don’t bother (unless it’s for the young ones)

Rating: 3.5/10