Brendan Fraser becomes summer’s action king

Move over, Harrison Ford, Brendan Fraser is poised to take your place as the reigning action star, with not one, but two contenders for the popcorn-munching flick of the summer. And if Fraser isn’t man enough for you, how about some high-voltage action with Vin Diesel or Jason Statham? No special effects needed — these guys have the muscle to get the job done.

“The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor”

Video   ‘The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor’ Explorer Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser) is on a whole new adventure in the Himalayas, but this time he takes his son Alex (Luke Ford) along for the ride. Buena Vista Pictures

Starring: Brendan Fraser, Jet Li, Maria Bello, John Hannah, Michelle Yeoh, Luke Ford
Director: Rob Cohen
Story: Explorer Rick O’Connell (Fraser) is back for a new adventure. This time he heads to China to battle the fabled Terracota Army and a resurrected Han emperor (Li), who is accidentally awakened by Rick’s son, Alex (Ford). Bello steps in for Rachel Weisz as Rick’s wife, Evelyn.
One to watch? No. Fraser really said it best when telling RottenTomatoes.com how it didn’t matter who played Evelyn — that basically anyone could play her. He tellingly added about his own role, “Rick O'Connell could be played by ... you tell me.”  That's exactly the problem with this cookie-cutter series of films. At least action fans can look forward to seeing Li do his martial-arts thing. Director Cohen (“The Fast and the Furious”) takes over for Stephen Sommers.
Web site:  http://www.themummy.com/
Release date:  Aug. 1

“Journey to the Center of the Earth”
Starring: Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, Anita Briem
Director: Eric Brevig
Story: A  science professor (Fraser), his nephew (Hutcherson) and their mountain guide (Briem) set out to find the center of the earth, using the Jules Verne novel as their guide. When they crash through some cave ice, they find a lost world in the bowels of the earth. 
One to watch? Yes. This is the first feature film to be shot entirely in digital 3-D, which will give the special effects a roller-coaster-ride feel. The film is also rated PG (and co-produced by family friendly Walden Media), so it looks like a good choice for families who need a bit of adventure. Director Brevig is known for his visual-effects work (“Total Recall,” “The Island”).
Web site:  http://www.journey3dmovie.com/
Release date:  July 11

“Babylon A.D.”
Starring: Vin Diesel, Gérard Depardieu, Michelle Yeoh, Charlotte Rampling, Mark Strong, Melanie Thierry
Director: Mathieu Kassovitz
Story: Diesel stars as a mercenary hired to safely transport a woman (Thierry) who may be infected with a virus that could take out the entire human race. Yeoh co-stars as the nun who accompanies them.
One to watch? Maybe. Director Kassovitz is best known for his work on the stylish “Gattaca,” so he’s in his element with a futuristic thriller. But the shoot was plagued with problems, including personnel woes and a lack of snow for a skiing scene. The film was originally scheduled to be released in February, which is where movies usually go to die. Hopefully, this film isn’t February-level bad.
Web site: http://www.babylonadmovie.com/
Release date: Aug. 29

“Death Race”

Video   'Death Race' Jason Statham stars as a prisoner forced to participate in a race to the death.

Starring: Jason Statham, Joan Allen, Tyrese Gibson, Ian McShane, Natalie Martinez, Jason Clarke
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Story: Based on the 1975 cult favorite “Death Race 2000,” this film jumps ahead to the year 2020. Statham plays one of a group of inmates who are forced to race each other on the track in a deadly game set up by the prison guards. Allen plays the prison warden.
One to watch? Turn off your brain, add popcorn. Director Anderson (“Resident Evil”) told SciFi.com, “It's not a straight remake at all. … And it’s set further in the future, so the cars are even more futuristic. So you've got cars with rockets, machine guns, force fields; cars that can split apart and re-form, a bit like ‘Transformers.’ Cars that become invisible. It’s got some really cool stuff in it.” It seems kind of silly, but the 1975 original is surprisingly fun in a self-parodying kind of way.  
Web site: N/A
Release date: Aug. 22

Best of the rest: Action — “Hell Ride” (Aug. 8) Pistolero (Larry Bishop) is the leader of a biker gang called the Victors, who set out to take on their rivals the 666ers.  Michael Madsen and Vinnie Jones co-star. — “Sukiyaki Western Django” (Aug. 29) From Takashi Miike (director of “Audition” and “Ichi the Killer”) comes this reimagining of the spaghetti western, which features Quentin Tarantino.

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