THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR **½

Rob Cohen directed this action/fantasy pic which stars: Brendan Fraser, Jet Li, Maria Bello, John Hannah, Michelle Yeoh, Luke Ford, Isabella Leong. One hour and fifty-two minutes long, the film is rated PG-13 for adventure action and violence.

Explorer Rick O'Connell (Fraser) returns to combat the resurrected Han Emperor (Li) in an epic that races from the catacombs of ancient China high into the frigid Himalayas. Rick is joined in this all-new adventure by son Alex (Ford), wife Evelyn (Bello) and her brother, Jonathan (Hannah). And this time, the O'Connells must stop a mummy awakened from a 2,000-year-old curse (placed by Yeoh, aided by her daughter, Leong) who threatens to plunge the world into his merciless, unending service.

Not to be overly critical, but this is not a film to be taken seriously. It's strictly high-tech eye candy with enough mindless action and spectacular CGI effects to impress all but the most jaded. And, it succeeds in entertaining. The film was almost over before I thought to look at my watch. You'll forget this film ten minutes after you leave the theatre, but you will have a good time while watching. There's almost no bad language, a little blood and a lot of comic book violence that no one will take seriously. Kids should love this along with their parents.