History YMMV / TheMummyReturns

* CatharsisFactor: Even after all the horrible things he has done, [[spoiler:Imhotep's actual death end's up far too pitiful to be satisfying. Anck-su-namun on the other hand, after she murdered the Pharaoh (not that he was entirely innocent) right in front of his daughter, murdered Evy in front of her entire family, and left Imhotep to die even after all he did for her, her death via being EatenAlive by Scarabs might hit the spot (especially considering that [[KarmicDeath it is the same way Imhotep died the first time all those years ago]]).]]

** As goof looking as [[spoiler:Anck-su-namun's death looks, it's very poetic that, after she betrayed Imhotep, [[KarmicDeath she dies the exact same way he did when he was punished for helping her all the way back in ancient Egypt]]]].

** As goof looking as [[spoiler:Anck-su-namun's death look, it's very poetic that, after she betrayed Imhotep, [[KarmicDeath she dies the exact same way he did when he was punished for helping her all the way back in ancient Egypt]]]].

* NarmCharm: The sequence of Evy duelling Meela (and the flashback to their duel in the past). Yes it's a DesignatedGirlFight, yes it's partly for {{Fanservice}} and yes a tad ridiculous. But you can't deny it's a definite Awesome Moment for Evy.

* SignatureScene: Over 20 years later, the CGI Scorpion King scene remains the most widely-discussed and well-remembered aspect of the entire movie, in large part thanks to its reputation as one of the premier modern examples of SpecialEffectsFailure.

** O'Connell stabs the Scorpion King. Cue [[LargeHam Imhotep]] with dramatic pose: "[[BigNo Niyaaaaaaah]]!" This would be a regular, non-narmy dramatic moment if not for the fact that he ''runs in from offscreen'' to do the dramatic pose before yelling, making it look like he missed his cue. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nX0100wUB0&t=1m45s Here is that glorious moment, in case you're wondering.]]. The CG Scorpion King ''looks up from his impalement'' as if to say "WTF is wrong with you?"

* WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids: This movie once aired on Creator/CartoonNetwork. {{Not|MakingThisUpDisclaimer}} Creator/AdultSwim, '''[[PunctuatedForEmphasis Cartoon.]] ''[[PunctuatedForEmphasis Friggin.]]'' [[PunctuatedForEmphasis Network]]'''.

* Joe Dixon, playing Jacques, is devoured by Imhotep, sho killed Pharaoh Seti. In the stage version of Film/ThePrinceOfEgypt Dixon played Seti himself.

** Some people criticize the reincarnation overdrive in the movie and its effect on the plot in retrospect: now there’s Meela who is Anck-su-namun’s reincarnation, Evelyn turns out to be Nefertiri’s reincarnation and even Rick is hinted to be some kind of reincarnation of ancient Madjai warrior. All of this turn the plot of the first movie (retroactively) into some sort of fateful encounters, conjured by destiny, instead of chance encounters of different characters who were strangers and simply happened to cross their paths, ending up in a deadly adventure. It takes the novelty and freshness of the first movie and its characters and turn it into something less thrilling - since now it is clear those characters were meant to meet each other someday anyway because FATE: Evie because she was Pharaoh’s daughter in past life, Rick because he supposedly was protector of Nefertiri and Pharaoh in past life, Imhotep because he betrayed and killed the said Pharaoh and Meela because she cheated on the Pharaoh and killed him in past life as his concubine Anck-su-namun.

* BrokenBase: Some people criticize Mathayus' depiction as bloodthirsty while some fans prefer this version instead.

** Additionally, if both Rick and Imhotep are to fight the Scorpion King and each other, you'd expect a potential EnemyMine situation, or a MeleeATrois. Neither happens: the second the Scorpion King comes out the doors, Imhotep kneels and feigns loyalty to him to get him to attack Rick, and Imhotep then spends the rest of the scene watching them before making a failed effort to intervene and dealing the killing blow at the very end.

* MoralEventHorizon: After literally going to hell for her, Anck-Su-Namun [[spoiler: [[DirtyCoward abandons Imhotep when he asks her to save him]]]]. She arguably crossed it twice earlier when she tricked the English men into opening the chest, thus making them easy prey for Imhotep, or when she cruelly [[spoiler: stabbed Evy to death right in front of her brother, husband and son]].
* NarmCharm: The sequence of Evy duelling Meela (and the flashback to their duel in the past). Yes it's a DesignatedGirlFight, yes it's partly for {{Fanservice}} and yes a tad ridiculous. But you can't deny it's a definite Awesome Moment for Evy.

** O'Connell stabs the Scorpion King. Cue [[LargeHam Imhotep]] with dramatic pose: "[[BigNo Niyaaaaaaah]]!" This would be a regular, non-narmy dramatic moment if not for the fact that he ''runs in a good two seconds late'' to do the dramatic pose before yelling, making it look like he missed his cue. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nX0100wUB0&t=1m45s Here is that glorious moment, in case you're wondering.]]. The CG Scorpion King ''looks up from his impalement'' as if to say "WTF is wrong with you?"

** O'Connell stabs the Scorpion King. Cue [[LargeHam Imhotep]] with dramatic pose: "[[BigNo Niyaaaaaaah]]!" It looks like he was late into the scene, due to the Scorpion King being shish-ke-babed for about two seconds before he runs over, kneels, and screams. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nX0100wUB0&t=1m45s Here is that glorious moment, in case you're wondering.]]. Hell, the CG Scorpion King ''looks up from his impalement'' as if to say "WTF is wrong with you?"

* MoralEventHorizon: After literally going to hell for her, Anck-Su-Namun [[spoiler: [[DirtyCoward abandons Imhotep when he asks her to save him]]]]. She arguably crossed it twice earlier when she tricked the English men into opening the chest, thus making them easy prey for Imhotep, or when she cruelly [[spoiler: stabbed Evy to death right in front of her brother and son]].

* TheProblemWithLicensedGames: The [=PS2=] video game is widely criticized for being simplistic with none of the actors involved. However, it gained praise for an alternate ending.

* MoralEventHorizon: After literally going to hell for her, Anck-Su-Namun [[spoiler: [[DirtyCoward abandons Imhotep when he asks her to save him]]]].

* MoralEventHorizon: After literally going to hell for her Anck-Su-Namun [[spoiler:[[DirtyCoward abandons Imhotep after asking her to save him.]]]]

* SpecialEffectsFailure: The film has several notable instances. Dwayne Johnson's CGI form as the Scorpion King looks like something out of a videogame cinematic, and when the armies of Anubis attack, many of the jackal soldiers in the background phase through the actors or die without having been attacked.

** Interestingly, the ''scorpion'' parts of the Scorpion King's body look very good. The human parts...not so much.

** The CGI used on Imhotep's Mummy form is a failure of truly epic proportions. Due to the limits of technology (and ILM's resources being limited due to production of ''Film/ThePhantomMenace''), the 1999 Mummy is part CGI and part guy-in-makeup, making him look much more realistic in both his movements and his interactions with the actors. But here, he is entirely CGI, marking a firm clash of UncannyValley with SpecialEffectsFailure, with his lifeless eyes, jerky movements, dry and untextured body, and (there is no other way to put this) cheesy shit-eating grin. It doesn't help that the other cast members he interacts with apparently have no idea where he is meant to be at any one time, which draws unnecessary attention to the fact he isn't actually there.

** The CGI used on Imhotep's Mummy form is a failure of truly epic proportions. Due to the limits of technology, the 1999 Mummy is part CGI and part guy-in-makeup, making him look much more realistic in both his movements and his interactions with the actors. But here, he is entirely CGI, marking a firm clash of UncannyValley with SpecialEffectsFailure, with his lifeless eyes, jerky movements, dry and untextured body, and (there is no other way to put this) cheesy shit-eating grin. It doesn't help that the other cast members he interacts with apparently have no idea where he is meant to be at any one time, which draws unnecessary attention to the fact he isn't actually there.

** The CGI used on Imhotep's Mummy form is a failure of truly epic proportions. Due to the limits of technology, the original Mummy is part CGI and part guy-in-makeup, making him look incredibly realistic in both his movements and his interactions with the actors. But here he is entirely CGI, making a firm clash of UncannyValley with special effects failure, with his dead, lifeless eyes, jerky movements, dry untextured body and (there is no other way to put this) a cheesy shit-eating grin. It doesn't help that the other cast members he interacts with apparently have no idea where he is meant to be at any one time, which draws unnecessary attention to the fact he isn't actually there.
*** The problem is that back in '98, California was experiencing rolling brownouts that severely limited Industrial Light and Magic's processing time, and they had [[Film/ThePhantomMenace another project]] in the works at the same time—and when George Lucas built your studio, you know he gets top priority on anything he wants.

* OneSceneWonder: The Scorpion King, before transformation.

* TheScrappy: Some fans have viewed Alex as this at times.