I’m a big Brendan Fraser fan going way back to Encino Man, and I’m loyal. It doesn’t hurt that for the most part he’s stuck to things I can get behind, like dramas (Gods and Monsters) and action flicks (The Mummy trilogy). (Yes, let’s just pretend things like Dudley Do-right and Monkeybone don’t exist.) So after missing both his 2008 releases in the theater, I was stoked to have a little Brendan marathon and watched The Mummy: The Dragon Emperor and Journey to the Center of the Earth this past weekend. A couple of hours well spent, I have to say. But watching the third Mummy movie actually made me sad.
Fraser was still badass as ever, dropping his so-cheesy-they’re-awesome lines, and mugging for the camera. But the franchise seemed to be set up to roll into the hands of Rick O’Connell’s dashing and now-grown son Alex (Luke Ford, pictured, right, alongside Fraser). I get the need to reach out to younger audiences, but Holluwood can’t think that at 40, he’s too old to fill multiplex seats? I mean, isn’t Brendan Fraser enough of a draw to carry the franchise he created? I know he is for me, how about you?
More on Brendan Fraser:
A look at how Brendan Fraser became a billion-dollar man
EW’s review of Journey to the Center of the Earth (by Owen Gleiberman)
EW’s review of ‘The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor’
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I completely agree. There aren’t many actors that will drive me to see a picture simply by virtue of their being in it, but Brendan Fraser is one I refuse to miss. And it’s not (just) because he’s attractive. He is a really talented actor (See: The Air I Breathe), and I love to watch his characters come alive.
It saddens me to think that they would even THINK about continuing the Mummy franchise without him. Rick O’Connell is one of my all time favorite characters…right up there with Indy and the like.
“Gods and Monsters” was when I realized BF could actually act and not just mug for the camera. And the Mummy movies are ten kinds of awesomeness in large part due to BF (though more to Arnold Vosloo and Oded Fehr – who were not in M3, which is why I didn’t bother to watch it). If they do continue on with the Mummy franchise, they should dump the kid and go back to the good cast.
Enjoyed the 1st two MUMMYs…however, my all time fav BF flick is MRS.WINTERBOURNE…and may I add I am normally anti-romcom BUT he and Ricki Lake definitely make it work.
I’ve never seen the Mummy series (and have no desire to), but he was great in Scrubs. Probably one of the best (if not the best) guest stars on that show.
I’m a big Brendan Fraser fan, even though a lot of his movies don’t actually interest me. I think he’s enormously talented, and some day the right role will come along and he’ll finally get his due.
Well I only saw this movie BECAUSE Brendan Fraser was in it. And actually he and the guy who plays Jonathan in the trilogy were the only people I LIKED in the film. It seemed to me that everyone else didn’t understand what kind of film they were in. Maria Bello especially did not belong in this film and killed it for me. I want Rachel back!!!
If they make another Mummy, and it doesn’t have Brendan in it, I probably won’t see it.
I’m just waiting for the Mummy box set to come out and then I’m all over it.
Never a fan of his. Just never felt he brought anything essential to a movie. Gods and Monsters was excellent, though, and it was the first time I wasn’t bothered by him. I’ll sit through the Mummy series for friends but not after that last one. Yikes.
HIs voice. He could be reading me the dictionary and I would listen from a-z. I could listen to that voice all day.
I never really thought that much about Brendan Fraser until I saw his “cameo” in “…So Goes the Nation,” and I realized what a moron he is. Check it out. It’s priceless.
I’ve always had a thing for Brendan Fraser. He’s foxy and very charismatic. Loved The Mummy, but I haven’t seen the 3rd one yet. I don’t like that a different actress played his wife.
huge brendan fraser i even like bedezzaled.
I have always really liked Brendan Fraser because he is an excellent actor who can also pull off the silly stuff. You say “going back to Encino Man” – how about going back to “School Ties”. Was very disappointed to find out my mad crush wasn’t really jewish
Brendan Fraser is awesome!! He’s one of the few actors that I’ll watch a movie just because he’s in it. He’s awesome in the Mummy movies, Bedazzled, and the Journey to the Center of the Earth commercial when he’s like “We’re still FALLING!” that line cracks me up. He has this personal style that he brings to every film and brightens it up. I’m so glad I finally found a bunch of people with the same sentiment. Thank you, Popwatch.
it was ok – i liked the first one better.
he’s looking old to me…
i loved him in school ties, with honors, and encino man.
Nope. Crushed on him thru the 90’s.
It’s over. I moved on, so to speak.
I will always love Brendan Fraser and watch whatever movie he is in… even if it is Monkeybone.
ENCINO MAN <3
He is still totally hot. One of my favorite actors! I just wish he got more chances nowadays to either do drama (a la Gods and Monsters) or physical comedy (Encino Man, George of the Jungle — he’s amazing!)
He is still totally hot. One of my favorite actors! I just wish he got more chances nowadays to either do drama (a la Gods and Monsters) or physical comedy (Encino Man, George of the Jungle — he’s amazing!)
Stallone, Willis, Ford, have all made sequels to their respected franchices and to great success. The latest Mummy was really good and should please any fan of the other movies and I hope that they don’t try and replace Fraser with his son. Also Ford and Stallone are probably making more sequels and they are likely going to be successful. Clint Eastwood is starring in his movie Gran Torino at 78 and it looks really good. Actors age but their talent doesn’t and hopefully people don’t dismiss their movies because of their age.
I adore Brendan!!!! I haven’t seen the new Mummy yet, but I saw Journey and loved it! Plus, he’s such an enigmatic person on the talk shows. He cracks me up. Anyone who thinks he can’t act ought to see “The Passion of Darkly Noon.” Not an easy film to watch, but he’s really incredible in it!!!!
I think he is a very good actor. Not great but good. However, his recent movies are not good. They are quite bad.
Even in his sub-par movies there are scenes worth watching. Such as the dance scenes in Dudley Do-Right and Blast from the Past. And of course, the topless scenes in George of the Jungle. Whew, baby!
I wish Brendan Fraser would focus on more artsy projects; he is a rather talented actor. But for some reason he signs on for these really bad, big-budget, loser films. Time to fire his agent.
I love Brendan Fraser! I first saw him in School Ties and just fell in love with him and it’s continued through today. Other then School Ties, my other favorite of his is Mrs. Winterbourne, no doubt. I haven’t seen the 2nd or 3rd Mummy movie yet but plan on doing so soon.
Loved him in School Ties and With Honors – and he’s so goofy in Blast from the Past that I can’t resist it.
He’s the only reason I went to see the movie.
He was fabulous in Gods and Monsters.
But my favourite goofy Brendan role has to be George of the Jungle – yum-meee!
I really loved him in Crash. And I don’t see why Dudley Do-Right was so awful. I liked it as a kid, which is probably the audience it was geared towards.
i have loved brendan fraser since bedazzled and blast from the past, i’d see (almost) anything he’s in