irected by Rob Cohen (The Fast and the Furious), this unnecessary sequel in a forgettable trilogy brings our married, adventuring heroes to China, circa 1946; explorer Rick O'Connell (returning Brendan Fraser) and his novelist wife Evelyn (replacing Rachel Weisz) who are bored with their life of leisure on their English estate.

Directed by Cohen, who takes the franchise's reins from Stephen Sommers, opens “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor” with a historical backdrop: an elaborate, complicated back-story of "a mythic battle between good and evil played out in ancient China," as a narrator informs. It's an elaborate, complicated scenario that involves palace intrigue and a witch played by a somewhat out-of-place Michelle Yeoh ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon").

After we learn the details of the history of Emperor Han (Jet Li) and his quest for eternal life, we eventually meet young archeologist Alex O'Connell (Luke Ford)— estranged son of retired adventurers Rick and Evelyn – who accidentally rouses the ruthless emperor from his undead slumber. So, now he's back… and hell bent on world domination.

The mummy must be stopped, of course, because if this warlord were to conquer everything with his terra-cotta legions, the world is in deep trouble. And of course it's up to Rick and Evelyn to stop him, and honestly, the story doesn't get much more complicated than that.