m and the rest of the crew, one of the props is an ancient Egyptian artifact that, when unearthed by archaeologists in the present day, awakens the curse of an Anubis-like creature.
This section of “Oblivion” plays like a mix between “The Mummy” and “Final Destination,” with a few inventive deaths played out amidst catacombs and whatnot. But as members of the C-level cast run from supernatural sand worms, there’s only so far it can go, and that means downshifting into a redneck “Tremors” rip-off for its final third.
Director David Flores (“Boa vs. Python,” anyone?) does what he can with the meager budget, and for a while, effects are passable. It’s worth a rental if you switch it off once the cornpone comedy commences.
“?Rod Lott
This article appears in Mar 12-18, 2008.