The Mummy Returns

The 2.35.1 anamorphic picture exhibits stunning quality, in which the video game visual effects are blindingly obvious. It hardly matters, as DVD picture quality doesn't get any better than this. Day and night scenes are rendered with incredible accuracy and the eye-popping colour will no doubt please.

The Dolby 5.1 soundtrack is an aggressive, exciting and dynamic effort. A perfect balance between all sounds in the movie is maintained and the track will place you right in the middle of it. Effects are well spread out among five channels and the score also benefits from forceful use of the split surrounds. The.1LFE is constantly active and will tremble your living room.

The commentary by Stephen Sommers and editor/co-producer Bob Ducsay sounds as if a biased promotion of the movie has gone to their heads. As one would expect from a film that is nothing but SFX, the commentary concentrates on how they were staged and executed. However, Sommers and Ducsay seem to get on well and there is not a dull moment.

The DVD-ROM content is rather cool. Screensavers and desktops are included for your PC and you will be treated to some neat animation and links to The Mummy website.

Interview With The Rock featurette has the sunbed-loving wrestler discuss his two minute role in the film and how he performed most of his stunts, as he is used to being bashed with real steel chairs when he is in the ring. Apparently, it's easier to be beaten up in the movies.

The Scorpion King featurette is basically a trailer for the upcoming Scorpion King movie, with an introduction by the Rock. It doesn't look terrible and will be released this spring in the States.

Spotlight On Location featurette is biased and self-congratulatory. Obviously a film of this size is going to kiss its own ass, but it does provide some nice behind-the-scenes shots if nothing else. Those involved seriously believe that everyone they are working with is a certified genius and that they are making the greatest sequel ever. It lasts for a satisfying 20 minutes.

Egyptology 2001 contains boring and badly presented facts about the history of Egypt and the myths of mummies.

A visual effects breakdown is included, but it's boring and features the basic cliches to final print sequence. They are plentiful and, added together, make up 20 minutes.

The Chamber Of Doom is a bizarre and curious extra, a POV tour of what seems to be an attraction at Universal Studios, based on the movie. It excites none.

Outtakes are barely worthwhile. If this is as funny as on-set antics get, then the entire shoot must have been quite dull. They last for five minutes and are in non-anamorphic 2.35:1.

Music video: Forever May Not Be Long Enough. Don't warm up that Best Original Song Oscar just yet.

A trailer for the movie, Playstation 2 game and Production Notes are also included.