A two-disc extravaganza, there's plenty to recommend the DVD release of "The Mummy Returns". But whether you'll ever use the special features more than once is doubtful.

Disc one contains the movie, and this shiny little number was manufactured only to please you. In terms of picture and sound quality, there's not a fault to be found. Indeed, you get a choice of either Dolby or DTS 5.1 mixes, with both sure to seek out and destroy cheap subwoofers. The bass effects are unrelenting, and if you're not convinced of that, just ask your neighbours.

SPECIAL FEATURES:
Audio Commentary (Disc One) -
Director Stephen Sommers and executive producer Bob Ducsay both retain the same infectious enthusiasm that they brought to their commentary for "The Mummy" DVD for this new release. As before, they're happy to pick away at silly details in between covering points of technical interest.

Exclusive Conversation with The Rock (Disc Two) -
It must hurt that none of the major actors in "The Mummy Returns" get "exclusive chats", but the slant on disc two is often skewed towards early promotion of the forthcoming "The Scorpion King", starring The Rock. His Rockness comes across as a friendly and eminently practical guy. Asked why he chose to make his starring debut with "The Scorpion King", apparently the built-in audience of "The Mummy" movies was important in influencing his decision. Now there's a guy who'll go far.

Exclusive Footage from "The Scorpion King" -
More of The Rock, but this time he's not got time to chat. This clip from his new film looks promising, and if the breathy voiceover is anything to go by, then we should be peeing our pants with anticipation.

Spotlight on Location -
At no point does "The Scorpion King" movie appear to be promoted in this making of featurette about some minor flick entitled "The Mummy Returns". No matter, because the cast and crew interviewed here are confident that this film is even better than "The Mummy", and apparently this is the first ever sequel where all the major characters return, played by the same stars (a bit like "Rocky II" then, eh?).

Visual and Special Effects Formation -
Four effects scenes are broken down into the following layers: conceptual artwork, animation test, plate photography, visual FX elements, and final feature. Of most interest are the disgusting Pygmy Mummies, with some particularly hideous conceptual drawings to lodge in your future nightmares.

Outtakes -
The one bit of the disc that doesn't take itself too seriously, this outtake montage kicks off as a professional trailer that just collapses into a series of often highly amusing gaffs. Funniest of all is the mummy that just can't understand the stage directions.

Egyptology 201 -
This is the dangerous part of the disc where you may actually learn something of value, with various Egyptology facts broken down for your educational consumption.

Additional Extra Features -
Music video; "The Mummy Returns" Chamber of Doom (lame beyond belief); theatrical trailer; PlayStation 2 game trailer; production notes; cast and crew biographies and filmographies; DVD-Rom content.

Region: 2
Chapters: 20
Ratio: 2.35:1 (anamorphic)
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1
Technical Features: Scene selection; animated menus; and multiple language subtitles.

This DVD was reviewed on a JVC XV-S57 DVD player.

"The Mummy Returns" DVD is out to buy on Saturday 1st December 2001.