Like a cursed mummy, Brendan Fraser rises again

After a seven-year hiatus, Universal attempts to resurrect its Indiana Jones-lite adventure series, yes, the one that launched the acting career of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, with The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor in theaters Friday. Gone is Rachel Weisz, who balked at the script, and in her place is Maria Bello as the wife of Fraser’s mummy-hunter, Rick O’Connell. Martial arts master Jet Li portrays the titular antagonist in this overly convoluted plot. But it’s only head-scratching if you think about it, which by the looks of the trailer the filmmakers don’t intend for you to do. Besides, the special effects are flashy and kids will love the over-the-top action sequences. Rated PG-13. (Photo courtesy Universal Pictures)