Dashing legionnaire Rick O'Connell stumbles upon the hidden ruins of Hamunaptra while in the midst of a battle to claim the area in 1920s Egypt. It has been over three thousand years since former High Priest Imhotep suffered a fate worse than death as a punishment for a forbidden love—along with a curse that guarantees eternal doom upon the world if he is ever awoken.
Trying to cram action, adventure, fantasy, romance, comedy and horror into a single should not have worked, especially not in a Universal Monsters reboot, but 1999's _The Mummy_ is so much damn fun, that they manage to pull it off with aplomb.
_Final rating:★★★½ - I strongly recommend you make the time._
It's not horror you know - it's just real good family fun.
The Mummy is directed by Stephen Sommers, who also co-writes the screenplay with John L. Balderston. It stars Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo & Kevin J. O'Connor. Jerry Goldsmith scores the music and cinematography is by Adrian Biddle. Plot sees Fraser as ex-Foreign Legionnaire adventurer Rick O'Connell, who teams up with Egyptologist Evelyn Carnahan (Weisz) and her cowardly brother Jonathan (Hannah), to try and stave off the apocalypse born out of the unleashing of the mummified remains of High Priest Imhotep (Vosloo).
It's true to say that "Indiana Jones" raised the bar for action/adventure films in the modern era, the kind involving treasure, artifacts and mystical perils. It's arguably true enough to say that with "Raiders of the Lost Ark" the standard has been set so high it's unlikely to be bettered. There's been a number of similar films to have come along post "Indiana Jones", films that have one thing in common, that the critics are scornful towards them whilst the box office has kerchinged with the sound of cash being spent by the cinema going public. "The Mummy" is one such movie. Universal rework their own 1930's creeper to deliver a high energy, effects laden adventure full of wit, stunts and eye candy fun. Yes it's "Indiana Jones" lite, but so what? We may be lacking an intellectual script, but for sheer guts, construction of set-pieces and interesting story, this delivers wholesome family entertainment. Cast are fine, Fraser comfortably files in for square jawed heroics and Weisz is suitably posh, spunky and sexy. Hannah revels in playing a wastrel type, while Arnold Vosloo is enjoying himself greatly. However it's ultimately the effects that win out, explosive and eye poppingly enjoyable, Sommers and his team have not pulled any punches in their willingness to entertain all the adventure film loving family. 7.5/10
***Indiana Jones Horror Story***
If you think "The Mummy" (1999) is a remake of the glacial, ultra-serious classic of the same name, think again. This version is just as much an action/adventure (and comedy) as it is horror; and not 'horror' in the sense that it's scary, but rather horrific. Also, be ready for quite a few laugh-out-loud parts.
Everything magically works, granting the viewer a highly entertaining romp. Brendan Fraser is perfect as the Indiana Jones wannabe. Rachael Weisz is so cute it's hard to take your eyes off her (WATCH OUT for her opening library scene). Arnold Vosloo is great as the mummy Imhotep and Oded Fehr is memorable as Ardeth Bay, the Magi guardian of the City of the Dead. John Hannah offers some comedic amusing moments as Eve’s brother and Kevin J. O'Connor is perfect as a selfish, disloyal, greedy little weasel.
"The Mummy" is not great ponderous art as in, say, "Apocalypse Now" or "2001: A Space Odyssey," but it is great adventure and horrific fun. On that level, it's filmmaking of the highest order.
The movie runs 2 hours, 4 minutes, and was shot in England, Morocco and Glen Canyon, Arizona.
GRADE: A-
**An action-comedy horror blockbuster that hits at every level!**
The Mummy gets everything right! This remake takes the original monster movie and brilliantly blends it with "Indiana Jones"esque adventure. Though primarily an action-adventure movie, The Mummy adds comedy and horror with outstanding results. Brendan Fraser and John Hannah's humor provides moments of release between monster kills and the attack of undead hordes. Stephen Sommers perfectly balances fun and fright, simultaneously leaving the audience in peril and safety. The Mummy has something for everyone creating a delightful and widely entertaining action-horror romp. This film lands at the number one spot as my favorite creature feature of all time!
This is just a good bit of fun. Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz star as the unlikely couple who set off to discover the golden treasures of Pharaoh Seti I. Alongside her hapless, scaredy-cat brother (John Hannah) they encounter the Mummy - an epitome of evil, disease and destruction - and engage in a battle royale to defeat this monstrous reincarnation. Stephen Sommers keeps this moving along well, and there is enough in the script to make you smile now and again. Perhaps not a film to be too closely scrutinised by any Egyptologists out there, but it's an enjoyable little romp through a rarely exploited vein of ancient mythology.
The Mummy is one of those movies that never loses its charm, no matter how many times you watch it. Directed by Stephen Sommers, it's the perfect mix of action, adventure, and humor, with just the right amount of spooky thrills to keep things exciting.
Brendan Fraser is a standout as Rick O'Connell, bringing charisma, humor, and heart to the role. He's not just a great action hero but also someone you can't help but root for. His chemistry with Rachel Weisz, who plays the smart and fearless Evelyn, makes the story even more engaging. Add in the brilliant Arnold Vosloo as the menacing Imhotep, and you've got a cast that makes every scene memorable.
The film's mix of practical effects and CGI, while dated in some places, still works beautifully to create an epic, larger-than-life feel. It's the kind of movie that reminds you why adventure films are so fun.
'The Mummy' is a film that I've taken way too long to see. I've known of these films for ages, in fact I think I (illogically) watched the third film when I was a kid. This first entry is very good. I haven't got much to note other than the fact that there's plenty to enjoy, it's a fun two hours.
Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are a sturdy onscreen pairing, both give praiseworthy performances. I wasn't overly keen on the characters of John Hannah and Kevin J. O'Connor, neither hamper enjoyment mind. Oded Fehr (wanted to see more of him) and Omid Djalili are pluses though.
The special effects haven't aged the most gracefully, though for 1999 I guess there aren't too bad - and again, like Hannah & O'Connor, it didn't affect me whilst watching, it's just noticeable that's all. That's the only noteworthy drawback that I have for this, it's entertaining all in all.