Heroic couple saves mankind from dark forces of Egyptian underworld

The Mummy Returns raked in US$70.1 million (HK$546 million) in three days after its opening in the United States, setting a new record as the biggest non- holiday opener in history.

How it will fare in Hong Kong still remains to be seen.

If you are happy with ancient Egyptian imagery, racy computerised special effects and kiddy- pleasing action, you are unlikely to be disappointed.

Apparently, Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser) was no accidental hero who just happened to get caught up in Egyptian tomb skulduggery in the original Mummy (1999). He is in fact a preordained saviour of the world no less. And the librarian leading lady of the first film, Evelyn (Rachel Weisz), has been transformed into something like an acrobatic fighter and the reincarnated guardian of a scorpion bracelet.

It was no accident either that the two should marry and produce son Alex (Freddie Boath), who also has a hand, quite literally, in saving mankind from an uprising of dark forces from the ancient Egyptian underworld.

The year is 1933 and the evil curator of the British Museum tracks down the remains of disgraced high priest Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo), who appeared in the first film.

With the help of Meela (Patricia Velazquez), the reincarnation of Imhotep's lover, the curator resurrects Imhotep by enacting ancient secret rites from the book of the dead.