The Librarian: Return to King Solomon's Mines

If you liked the first Librarian movie you'll like it too. This film picks up right where the first film ended. This time the theme is good old King Solomon's mines... sometimes I really wonder how many more adventure movies will be based on this thing. The shooting locations are nice, the action sequences are entertaining. The ending is predictable, but fun.

Noah Wyle again does a very entertaining smart job as Flynn. But I'm not sure about the point behind casting old and partly anorexic Gabrielle Anwar in this physically challenging role. Yes, she was a real beauty in her times, but here she looks quite gross. Anyway, no need to dwell much into such trivial matters... the movie is sure to deliver what it's supposed to in the end.

After retrieving the Crystal Skull in Utah, Flynn Carsen (Noah Wyle) receives a map by mail with the secret location of King Solomon's Mines. When the scroll is stolen, Judson explains the power of the Key of Salomon's book and assigns Flynn to retrieve the map that is useless without the legend piece to decipher it, which is located in Volubilis near the Roman ruins in Morocco. Flynn heads to Casablanca to the ruins where he is chased by a group of mercenaries leaded by General Samir (Erick Avari) that also wants to find the location of King Solomon's mines. Flynn teams-up with Professor Emily Davenport (Gabrielle Anwar) that is working in the dig and they escape from General Samir and his men. While traveling to Gedi, they save the local Jomo (Hakeem Kae- Kazim) from death and the trio faces a dangerous journey through the wild Africa.

"The Librarian: Return to King Solomon's Mines" is another exciting adventure of Flynn Carsen in the style of Indiana Jones. The story is very funny and entertaining and presents references and a wonderful homage to the classic "Casablanca". The charming and gorgeous Gabrielle Anwar shows a wonderful chemistry with Noah Wyle and they form a pleasant lead couple. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "O Guardião: Retorno às Minas do Rei Salomão" ("The Guardian: Return to King Solomon's Mines")

We were excitedly waiting for the release of the sequel to one of our favourite recent films, and managed to rent the DVD on its release in Australia. My family loved it, but I was a little disappointed. It lacked the one-liners of the first film, and much of the charm of the bumbling Flynn had also dissipated. The special effects were OK and there were a few laughs, but nothing of the absurdity which delightfully infected the original. The absence of Sonya Walwag was palpable, and neither Bob Newhart nor Jane Curtin really seemed to get into the film as they did with "Spear". This is not to say it is a bad film, but it does seem to play it a little by the numbers. There is one very obvious reference to a classic film, but nothing like the little teasers scattered through the original.

If you don't take it too seriously you'll really enjoy this. Noah Wyle returns as the Librarian Flynn. This time he sets out to find King Solomon's Mine together with the help of fellow "nerd" Emily Davenport (Gabrielle Anwar). I found a lot of similarities to Indiana Jones as well as The Mummy is this film. But it did not ruin the Librarian 2 for me at all. It's still different enough to stand alone. I think the character Flynn makes this movie. He is an interesting and well written character who really entertains. I also enjoyed the addition of Gabrielle Anwar, whose love/hate relationship with Flynn creates some nice laughs. Overall The Librarian 2 has enough action, adventure and twists to keep you interested. Basically if you liked the first one, you'll like this one.

One year later we find out intrepid hero (Noah Wylie), an experienced Librarian and his bodyguard is no longer needed.

In a nod to Indiana Jones, he brings back the Crystal Skull in the opening sequence before he sets out on his real adventure that brings him into contact with Gabrielle Anwar ("Burn Notice", who did manage to turn in such an impressive performance that the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films gave her a best supporting actress nomination.

What is it with these English heroines? We have a new director and a new writer, but we still go back to England for the love interest. Well, this isn't Body Snatchers, so we won't be seeing her ta tas.

I won't reveal the bad guy here because it would spoil it.

Besides Indiana Jones, you see bits of The Mummy, and even Casablanca in the movie. It is popcorn fun for fans of those movies and Wylie does a great job.