---
title: "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor"
year: 2008
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-mummy-tomb-of-the-dragon-emperor"
fi1m_id: "the-mummy-tomb-of-the-dragon-emperor"
imdb_id: "tt0859163"
tmdb_id: 1735
wikidata_id: "Q240713"
fi1m_score: 40
critics_score: 38
critics_reviews: 16
published: "2026-10-05T05:37:05.755159+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-05T05:37:19.453956+00:00"
region: "MX"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008)

Directed by Rob Cohen · 1h 52m · Adventure, Action, Fantasy

## Identity

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/the-mummy-tomb-of-the-dragon-emperor
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** the-mummy-tomb-of-the-dragon-emperor
- **IMDb ID:** tt0859163
- **TMDB ID:** 1735
- **Wikidata ID:** Q240713
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0859163/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1735, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q240713

**Fi1m score: 40** · Critics 38 from 16 reviews

*In a sentence:* All those ancient forces, and still nobody can put a stop to the family banter

> Rob Cohen’s adventure has scale, elaborate costumes and Michelle Yeoh, but the family banter is laboured and the action difficult to follow. Its occasional pleasures do not justify spending an evening with it.

## Synopsis

At the tomb of the Dragon Emperor, a discovery draws Rick O’Connell (Brendan Fraser), Evelyn O’Connell (Maria Bello) and Alex O’Connell (Luke Ford) into the path of an ancient enemy. Han (Jet Li) is the ruler at the centre of the danger, while Zi Yuan (Michelle Yeoh) casts a curse. Terracotta soldiers become part of the threat the O’Connells must confront together, despite their family arguments. Jonathan Carnahan (John Hannah) and Lin (Isabella Leong Lok-Sze) are also caught up in the adventure as the archaeological discovery becomes a struggle against supernatural forces.

## Review

Rob Cohen’s *The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor* is a poor adventure with enough good people in it to make the disappointment persistent. It wants the easy pleasure of family squabbling, supernatural danger and action that need not withstand much examination. Alfred Gough and Miles Millar’s screenplay keeps introducing trouble before it has given us much reason to enjoy the company. At 112 minutes, it has no shortage of things happening, but remarkably few stretches in which we care what happens next.

Brendan Fraser gives Rick O’Connell flashes of the loose, agreeable manner the material needs, without making the exchanges feel spontaneous. Maria Bello’s Evelyn O’Connell is hampered by an accent that draws attention away from the dialogue, which scarcely needs another obstacle. Luke Ford’s Alex O’Connell brings little warmth to the family scenes. We were bored by their bickering because the lines keep insisting on relationships the performances have not made us care about.

Michelle Yeoh gives Zi Yuan the authority the others struggle to establish. Her composure allows the supernatural business to sound consequential, and the film improves whenever it lets her hold our attention. Jet Li’s Han supplies a welcome threat, though the part gives him less opportunity than his presence promises. Neither performer gets enough room, an especially frustrating decision in an adventure that keeps asking for excitement while rationing its most persuasive people.

The action is less persuasive. Simon Duggan’s images are caught in staging so restless that following a movement becomes work, while editors Joel Negron and Kelly Matsumoto seldom give a sequence enough breathing space. We can register an impact without feeling how the bodies have reached it. Adventure can be ridiculous and still make physical sense; Rob Cohen too often seems satisfied that another burst of activity has arrived.

Nigel Phelps’s production design at least gives the spectacle a scale worth looking at, and Sanja Milkovic Hays’s costumes supply detail the hurried action does not always reward. The terracotta soldiers have a pleasing solidity as an image, even when the effects elsewhere look less convincing. There is evident effort in giving this adventure something to show us. It makes the indifferent handling of the people more dispiriting, particularly when the dialogue resumes and nobody has much worth saying.

Randy Edelman’s music provides an urgency that the scenes themselves often lack. It can encourage a sense of occasion, but it cannot tell us why one muddled confrontation matters more than another. John Hannah’s Jonathan Carnahan suffers from a similar problem: a performer willing to be funny still needs a usable line. Rob Cohen’s direction gives both music and comedy work that the writing and staging should already have done.

A family adventure needs leads whose company makes the pauses between set pieces enjoyable. This one makes those pauses feel longer than they are, and an affection for the genre will only take us so far. Admirers of Michelle Yeoh may find enough in her limited appearances to be glad they came. For an undemanding evening of fantasy adventure, we would choose something else.

*Fi1m score 40, published 5 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics find The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor a tired sequel, with spectacle doing little to compensate for weak dialogue and performances short on enthusiasm. Praise is scattered rather than sustained: Michelle Yeoh’s presence, the Chinese cast, the locations and costumes give some reviewers something to enjoy. Even several unfavourable reviews acknowledge moments of energy or effective effects work, but the prevailing complaint is that the adventure lacks its predecessors’ fun.

The spread is wide, with disagreement over whether the absurdity entertains and whether the action is competently staged. The AV Club offers the clearest defence, enjoying the parade of outlandish creatures and Jet Li’s villain despite the mechanical plotting. Eye for Film also finds the action confident, whereas Variety considers it incoherent and poorly staged. Reservations otherwise cluster around laboured family banter, uneven effects and awkward acting; the more receptive reviews largely accept those flaws as the price of a light-hearted diversion.

## Straight answers

**Is The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor worth watching?**

*The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor* is a poor fantasy adventure that we score 40/100, with laboured family banter and action that is difficult to follow. Michelle Yeoh’s authority and the elaborate costumes offer occasional pleasure, but even an affection for supernatural adventure is unlikely to make the evening worthwhile.

**How long is The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, and what is it rated?**

*The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor* runs 1h 52m. It is an adventure and action film.

**Where can I watch The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor in Mexico?**

*The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor* is streaming on HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and Netflix in Mexico, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV from MX$49.00. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, and is it suitable for children?**

*The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor* carries a UK 12A certificate and contains supernatural threats and action violence, so we would be cautious about choosing it for younger or easily frightened children. The 12A allows children under 12 with an accompanying adult; the ancient enemy, curse and threatening terracotta soldiers are the specific concerns to weigh.

**How does The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor compare to The Mummy?**

*The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor* is the less enjoyable adventure beside [*The Mummy*](https://film.one/film/the-mummy), which we recommend for its more amiable company and better comic timing. The earlier film’s effects have aged and its jokes are uneven, but its cast makes the supernatural trouble more fun; the later film struggles with family bickering and muddled action.

**What should I watch after The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor?**

After *The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor*, try [*The Mummy*](https://film.one/film/the-mummy) (1999, Fi1m 71): A more amiable expedition, with comic timing to match the supernatural trouble. Then [*A Chinese Ghost Story*](https://film.one/film/a-chinese-ghost-story) (1987, Fi1m 82): Supernatural romance with enough humour and feeling to make the danger matter; and [*Romancing the Stone*](https://film.one/film/romancing-the-stone) (1984, Fi1m 77): Bickering adventurers whose company remains enjoyable between the scrapes and escapes.

### Reviews we read (16)

- **The AV Club**, Nathan Rabin (B-): Rabin finds the film mechanically plotted but entertaining as an excessive, ridiculous spectacle. He singles out its parade of outlandish elements, including yetis, undead armies, and Jet Li’s memorable villain. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/the-mummy-tomb-of-the-dragon-emperor-1798204644)
- **Screen Daily**, Tim Grierson (64/100, inferred): This is a review of the matching film, but the review text is hidden behind a paywall. The accessible page provides no verdict or specific praise or complaint. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/the-mummy-tomb-of-the-dragon-emperor/4040072.article)
- **The New York Times** (64/100, inferred): The page could not be accessed, so the critic’s verdict cannot be established. No specific praise or complaint is available from the supplied page text. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/01/movies/01mumm.html)
- **RogerEbert.com** (63/100, inferred): The page could not be accessed, so its verdict cannot be established. No specific praise or complaint is available from the blocked text. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-mummy-tomb-of-the-dragon-emperor-2008)
- **Radio Times**, Sue Robinson (2/5): Robinson finds the sequel diminished compared with its predecessor. She singles out the loss of vigour in Brendan Fraser’s performance as a disappointment. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-d130s5/the-mummy-tomb-of-the-dragon-emperor/)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Kenneth Turan (35/100, inferred): Turan finds the sequel less enjoyable than its predecessors and says its spectacle cannot overcome its weak banter and uninvolved performances. He praises the epic scale and Michelle Yeoh’s commanding presence. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-aug-01-et-mummy1-story.html)
- **Empire**, William Thomas (30/100, inferred): The critic finds the film competent but dull, lacking the memorable moments that made earlier entries fun. He singles out the clunky script and the charisma-free performance of Luke Ford as major weaknesses. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/mummy-tomb-dragon-emperor-review/)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Frank Scheck (30/100, inferred): Scheck finds the sequel tired and says it makes the franchise feel finished despite its action and effects. He praises the terra cotta soldiers’ CGI, while criticizing the silly tone and awkward performances. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/mummy-tomb-dragon-emperor-movie-2008-116611/)
- **Slant Magazine**, Nick Schager (1/4): Schager gives the film a scathing verdict, calling it nearly unwatchable and empty-headed. He particularly condemns the chaotic action sequences, with their excessive effects, noise, and spastic camera movement. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-mummy-tomb-of-the-dragon-emperor/)
- **Time Out**, David Jenkins (1/5): The critic pans this phoned-in action sequel as farcical. They complain that it makes the recent Indiana Jones film seem dramatically and archaeologically sound. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-mummy-tomb-of-the-dragon-emperor)
- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (10/100, inferred): Bradshaw pans the film as a lifeless, money-making exercise. He singles out Maria Bello’s unconvincing accent and the poor writing and direction for John Hannah. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/aug/08/actionandadventure1)
- **Variety**, Todd McCarthy (10/100, inferred): McCarthy pans the film as stale, low-grade franchise fare and says the time has come to end the series. He singles out the incoherent, poorly staged action and weak family dialogue as major flaws. [Read](https://variety.com/2008/film/markets-festivals/the-mummy-tomb-of-the-dragon-emperor-3-1200508047/)
- **Den of Geek**, Sarah Dobbs (3/5): Dobbs finds the film a silly, light-hearted adventure that works as a fun pick-me-up despite its flaws. She especially praises its gorgeous locations and fantastic costumes, while lamenting the limited screen time for Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-mummy-tomb-of-the-dragon-emperor-review/)
- **Eye for Film**, Jennie Kermode (55/100, inferred): Kermode finds the film watchable but uneven, saying it falls short of the rip-roaring adventure it should be. She praises the Chinese stars and confident action set pieces, while criticizing Maria Bello’s performance and the laboured dialogue. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-mummy-tomb-of-the-dragon-emperor-film-review-by-jennie-kermode)
- **Paste**, Russ Fischer (25/100, inferred): Fischer finds the film marginally better than the latest Indiana Jones, but ultimately a weak, inconsistent adventure. He praises the early setpieces’ energy while faulting the flat Jet Li–Michelle Yeoh confrontation and slapdash CGI. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/brendan-fraser/the-mummy-tomb-of-the-dragon-emperor)
- **Digital Spy**, Stella Papamichael (15/100, inferred): The critic finds the film lifeless, trite, and a disappointing imitation of its predecessors. Michelle Yeoh’s swordplay showdown with Jet Li is singled out as the highlight, while the effects are criticized as lacklustre. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a119371/the-mummy-tomb-of-the-dragon-emperor/)

## Details

- **Director:** Rob Cohen
- **Director:** Rob Cohen
- **Writer:** Alfred Gough, Miles Millar
- **Cinematography:** Simon Duggan
- **Editor:** Kelly Matsumoto, Joel Negron
- **Music:** Randy Edelman
- **Production design:** Nigel Phelps
- **Costume design:** Sanja Milkovic Hays
- **Producer:** Sean Daniel, Stephen Sommers, Bob Ducsay
- **Cast:** Brendan Fraser as Rick O'Connell; Maria Bello as Evelyn O'Connell; John Hannah as Jonathan Carnahan; Luke Ford as Alex O'Connell; Isabella Leong Lok-Sze as Lin; Jet Li as Han; Michelle Yeoh as Zi Yuan; Anthony Wong as Yang
- **Runtime:** 1h 52m
- **First release (Hungary):** 1 July 2008
- **Genres:** Adventure, Action, Fantasy
- **Budget:** $145 million
- **Box office:** $403 million

## Where to watch in Mexico

- HBO Max: streaming
- Amazon Prime Video: streaming, uhd
- Disney+: streaming, hd
- Netflix: streaming
- Amazon Prime Video: add-on, uhd
- Amazon Prime Video: rent MX$49.00, uhd
- Apple TV: rent MX$50.00, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy MX$99.00, uhd
- Apple TV: buy MX$99.00, hd

*Checked 2026-10-05.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, SK, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *The Mummy* (1999), Fi1m 71: A more amiable expedition, with comic timing to match the supernatural trouble. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-mummy.md)
- *The 7th Voyage of Sinbad* (1958): For creatures and curses staged with a clear sense of adventure.
- *A Chinese Ghost Story* (1987), Fi1m 82: Supernatural romance with enough humour and feeling to make the danger matter. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/a-chinese-ghost-story.md)
- *Romancing the Stone* (1984), Fi1m 77: Bickering adventurers whose company remains enjoyable between the scrapes and escapes. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/romancing-the-stone.md)
- *The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec* (2010): Another archaeological fantasy, with a lighter touch and a taste for absurdity.

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/the-mummy-tomb-of-the-dragon-emperor