Customer Reviews

The Mummy Returns

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I got to read "The Mummy Returns" before I saw the movie. What I realized, that not everything the book explains is in the movie. It says that Imhotep said something in the end about love but the movie did not metion that.You have to at least see the first movie to understand the concept of this book and the sequel. Overall, I this is a really awesome book.

I was so excited to see this book come out the other day, since I so eagerly anticipate the films release. I am an avid fan of the first film (my favorite movie), and Max Allan Collins' book. So I was thrilled to hear he would handle the novela1ation of the sequel. I obviously haven't seen the film yet, so I am unable to make a comparison. But from reading the book, I can say the film is going to be the wildest ride! It is the most epic work, and Collins' deft handling of the humour and human relationships is overshadowed only by his ability to craft rollercoaster chills and blockbuster thrills! His handling of bus chase sequence is a standout among many, and his description of the Scorpion King (The Rock in the film) makes him out to be the ultimate eight-legged terror! I was unable to pu the book down until I was finished, which was only about four hours. The author is so good at hooking his audience into the story (just as writer/director Stephen Sommers). I highly recommend The Mummy Returns, it's 288 pages of pure adventure!

I greatly enjoyed "The Mummy" when it was resurrected several years ago. I recall late hours spent watching Zacherlee and Shock Theater, entranced by the antics of a whole slew of monsters, with The Mummy being one of the most memorable. In those days movies still had to have plots and spooky atmospherics to do what we do with special effects and a truckload of gore today.

What made the new "Mummy" fun was not just the updated effects. It also had just the right tongue-in-cheek attitude. Let's face it, mummy movies are high camp. Abbott and Costello figured it out first, but it took decades before Universal Pictures discovered the same secret.

When I discovered that the novelization of "The Mummy Returns" was available I snapped it up. After all, paperbacks are still cheaper than movies and they can be re-read. Set 10 years later than the original movie, Rick O'Connell and Evelyn Carnahan have married and have an 8-year-old son, Alex. They have returned to Egypt seeking the Bracelet of Anubis, an ancient artifact associated with the legendary Scorpion King of Egypt's fabled past. In doing so they trigger an adventure that will have them chasing all over the Egyptian map. For, not far from the O'Connell dig, a group of nefarious cultists are once again resurrecting the mummy of the evil Imhotep, the real star of the first movie.

Imhotep's has plans for the Scorpion King and his minions which require the bracelet. He would also like to even the score with the O'Connells, who foiled his first return. When Alex inadvertently puts on the Bracelet of Anubis, and is kidnapped, he triggers a chase scene that stretches from England to Abyssinia. Before Alex (and life as we know it) is rescued, our doughty heroes will be treated to every kind of adventure and mishap, including reincarnation, dirigible rides, pigmy zombies, and the Scorpion King himself.

"The Mummy Returns" is an excellent novelization of what is a movie that is long on fun and action even if it is a bit short on plot. Max Collins does a good job of taking a thin script and turning it into something enjoyable. Don't expect deep insights or serious Egyptology. This is simply a few hours of enjoyable, light entertainment. Have fun!!

I love this book! In other books like the one by John Whitman they leave out parts like when Alex says to Imphotep, my dad's gonna kick your a** it says my dad;s going to kick your ... in the novel by Mr. Whitman. this book is a little more adult.

This writer is a genius!! His storytelling is superb! I read the first Mummy and then saw the movie. I have read many movie adapations and by far, he is the best adapter of them all. When I heard this one was being released, I immediatly bought it. And as with the first, was never disappointed. He expresses wonderful emotions throughout. His descriptions of the events and how the characters look and feel is incredible!! I am already looking for other books by this author! Another thing about how he writes, you don't feel disappointed when you see the movie. I feel weary reading the book first, before the movie. But never get disappointed! A MUST read for ANY mummy fan!!!!!

The mummy returns is a brilliant work on the part of John Whitman and Stephen Sommers. When the movie came out it was a must see movie on my list but when the book came out,I was thrilled! I liked the movie so much I rushed out to Borders to buy it and the discription was amazing! It felt as if I was having a private screening of the Mummy Returns playing in my head. It was wonderful. It is a must-read book for Mummy fans everywhere. I think everyone should see that magic exists not only in the sanctuary of the theaters, but can also thrive in the privacy of your own home. Now that is special. You can't ever replace the power of reading

I enjoyed Collins' novelization of the previous MUMMY movie, and figured this one was a safe bet. The story and characters are conveyed well enough, and there are moments of insight and genuine artistry. Alas, I was left feeling that it lacked the polish of the first novelization. Mantra-like repetitions of "puzzle-like tattoos", "golden mask", "obsidian-covered book", and "black blunt-cut hair" were distracting and should have been trimmed. There also seemed to be less depth to the narrative. Not a bad job by any means, given the unforgiving deadlines and other difficulties associated with adapting a script to prose form, but a mixed bag.

My friend and I have watched the movie a zillion times, and have memorized almost every line. We wanted to read this book because of our love for the movie. This book was the WORST book based on a movie I've ever read! The dialogue was awful, and so were the character portrayals! Evie is portrayed as a racist snob commenting on Ardeth's people ("Yes, such amusing notions these primitives have."). Rick is portrayed as a stupid smart-aleck welcoming Izzy ("Izzy! Is you is or is you ain't my baby!"). Alex is portrayed as a whining baby saying to Lock-nah ("I'll just pee in my pants, and I'll tell your boss lady you wouldn't let me go to the bathroom..."). Meela/Anck-su-namun is portrayed as a smart, upbeat woman saying to Jonathan ("You see, I have a photographic memory..."). Jonathan is portrayed as a wise-cracking idiot replying to Meela ("That's a coincidence. I have a pornographic memory, myself."). Imhotep is portrayed as a weak, sympathetic man when he is barely able to lift Alex up, and then wags a finger at him, scolding him ("Naughty, naughty."). Also, some of the dialogue was not set in the right time period (1934). For example, Alex says that his visions are "better than a ViewMaster," and Jonathan says that a picture looks like a "surveillance photograph." I was VERY offended at how this book was written! If you LOVE the movie, DON'T buy this book!

Rick O'Connel is back with the old characters (excluding Beny HE'S DEAD) plus two new ones Alex his son and the scorpian King. Rick and evylyn are married and on a dig with there son Alex. When they find the Bracelet of Anubis. Later Ardeth Bay tells them there is a cult that will raise Imhotemp back from the dead(Again). And thats whe the adventure starts. Its full of action and takes of 10 years after the first one. Max Allen Collins once again takes on writing the second story and does a great job.(he wrote the first one too). Buy it and remember DEATH IS ONLY THE BEGINING

I would recommend this book only to those Mummy fans who cannot wait to know what the movie is about. The story is simple, which this novel does a good job of letting you know what it is about. But this book is by no means a replacement for the action-packed, FX scenes. So read this book but WATCH the movie. The novel will satisfy your curiosity but the movie will thrill you!

The part that O'Donnel being the reincarnate of a Knight Templar and Evelyn being the reincarnate of an Egyptian princess is, in my opinion, unnecessary CRAP.