This is the second made-for-TV movie in The Librarian franchise. (It is preceded by Quest for the Spear, which you should probably see first before you watch this one.)

Once again, Flynn Carsen (Noah Wyle) is tasked by special library administrators Judson (Bob Newhart) and Charlene (Jane Curtin) to locate specific items. Their unique library holds all of the world's most important and most powerful historical artifacts. The goal this time is for Flynn to find the paper map and the two-part legend that point to the location of King Solomon's mines. Soon enough, Flynn is traveling off to Morocco, then Kenya. He is warned, however, that the actual mines themselves must never be found. Will he heed this warning?

Along the way, he meets archaeologist Emily Davenport (Gabrielle Anwar). Emily is doing her own digging -- literally -- for artifacts that are related to the Queen of Sheba and tangentially, to King Solomon. Since their paths seem to be crossing, Emily joins Flynn in following the clues to the King Solomon pieces. The first problem is that the two of them don't always see eye to eye. The second problem is that a group of armed and dangerous bad guys has already embarked on the same search. Who will reach the artifacts first? And really, which individuals can we trust?

Flynn remains a likable character. Although he's still not the swashbuckling type, he has now spent a year in this job. He's getting used to the adventures and the personal battles needed to succeed in his missions of "saving the world." This episode has more drama and more violence than the first one; perhaps the producers aimed to outdo the original. I can say that there are certain scenes I would rather never see or think about again.

As it was in the first film, the musical score was produced by Joseph LoDuca, and it is absolutely amazing. The pacing reminds me of the Indiana Jones movies. Flynn gets his own bold and trumpeted theme. Majestic upsweeps arise whenever the landscape opens up. Dark and sinister tones emerge as evil approaches. The music sets the mood and moves the plot along, as it should. Pay deliberate attention to it every once in a while, if you think of it.

As before, this film is made for an audience who's somewhat knowledgeable in culture and history and has a thirst for adventure, too. And a hint of comedy always sits just below the surface, too, especially where the magic is involved. Yes, we still have to suspend our disbelief at times. I mean, who would think that A LIBRARIAN could be involved in so much action and adventure? (Well, I can say that we who have worked as librarians in real life have no problem with this premise.)

Flynn's mother Margie (Olympia Dukakis) is still keen on introducing her only son to the right woman. After all, he just turned 32. He's not getting any younger. Flynn would prefer that his mother provide more information about his father, whom Flynn lost when he was young. He just doesn't remember much, himself. Coincidentally, now, his library and adventure work will help him to learn more. (And if you want to pick up additional threads to this theme, count how many times "fathers" are mentioned in the dialogue.)

The Librarian: Return to King Solomon's Mines is packed full of even more entertaining action, adventure, and fantasy than its predecessor. It is followed by The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice, as well as the four-season TV series, The Librarians. If you enjoy watching any one of them, you may want to discover them all.