The Mummy Returns is the sequel to the classic movie The Mummy. The storyline is similar and the cast is also the same. However, there are some differences. Let’s look at some of these differences and what they mean for the plot. Also, let’s take a look at Betty’s appeal to Ananka. The Mummy Returns is an entertaining movie that can’t be missed.
Meela Nais is Anck-Su-Namun reincarnated
Meela Nais is a reincarnation of the famous Egyptian deity Anck-Su-Namun. It is believed that the original Anck-Su-Namun was killed to bring back his son Imhotep. The Egyptian deity was later reincarnated into a female millionaire crime Lord named Meela. Meela was the only one who was powerful enough to defeat the Scorpion King.
The story of Meela Nais began when she was a curator turned cult leader. In the ruins of Karnak, she and a native fellahin digger named Baltus Hafez discovered the relics of Osiris’ High Priest, Imhotep. They also found the Book of the Dead, or Book of Amun-Ra. After the discovery of the Book of the Dead, Meela and Imhotep fought for the throne of Seti I. Meela then took a knife and fatally stabbed herself.
In this film, Anck-Su-Namun has a much larger role than in the first film. She is shown to be much more treacherous than the first. As the mistress of Seti I, she had a vengeful professional rivalry with Princess Nefertiri. She later returned to earth as wealthy Meela Nais, whose life had been consumed by the search for Imhotep’s body.
Imhotep the Mummy Priest
Imhotep is the main antagonist in the 1932 film The Mummy. He is also the main antagonist in the 1999 remake and 2001 sequel The Mummy Returns. In the 2017 reboot, he is played by Sofia Boutella. In all three films, Imhotep proves to be an extremely powerful antagonist.
Imhotep was the high priest of the ancient Egyptians. In the film, he stole the Scroll of Thoth to try and revive his dead lover, Princess Anck-es-Amon. As a result, Amenophis the Magnificent ordered Imhotep to be mummified and buried with the Scroll of Thoth.
Interesting information about Ankha
The Egyptians were known for defying their gods. This mummy priest was no exception. He used his sarcophagus as a tomb for a human being. Luckily, he could be brought back to life by a ritual.
Rick’s battle with the Scorpion King
In the first episode of Mummy Return, Rick and his team are battling against the Scorpion King. The Scorpion King is a half-human, half-scorpion creature who appears after Imhotep’s defeat. Rick kills him to break his oath to Anubis. When he’s dead, the oasis will return to desert and the army of Anubis will be forced to fight it out.
The scene with Imhotep striking a gong is a homage to the Rank Organization, a leading British film studio from 1937-1995. You can see the scene at 1:43:37 on the DVD. It’s quite amazing to see the jiggling arm movement of the scorpion statues in the background.
Despite its complex plot, Mummy Return has a lot of fun with its story. The villains want to raise the mummy Imhotep and control the armies of Anubis. The film has some excellent moments, but there are plenty of moments that don’t work.
Betty’s appeal to Ananka
Ananka is an ancient mummy buried under a coffin. Betty appeals to her to return so that she can get her boyfriend back, but the mummy is not interested. The mummy’s appearance is the film’s bread and butter, and the scene when Ananka emerges from the earth is utterly chilling.
In the novel, Ananka is placed into a sarcophagus and taken back to Egypt. While in Egypt, Betty meets Ragheb, who is an abbot who has a secret mission to return the mummy to her homeland. Ragheb likes Betty, and he brings her to his monastery. When Ilzor sees this, he curses Ragheb for violating his vow of secrecy. Ragheb also attacks Jimbo and Kharis, and they are both killed.
Betty’s appeal to Ananka to return the mummy is not the first time the mummy has appeared in the movies. In the 1940s, it was Virginia Christine who played Princess Ananka. She made her debut in THE MUMMY’S HAND, and in 1995, she returned in the film version as “The Mummy’s Ghost.” The film also stars Ramsay Ames and Addison Richards.
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