The Mummy (The Brendan Fraser Movie)

The Mummy (1999)

Runtime: 124 minutes

Directed by: Stephen Sommers

Starring: Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo, Oded Fehr

From: Universal

I do wish they still made blockbusters like this. Admittedly, you’ll get stuck in quicksand if you ponder the plot too much (it isn’t always the most logical) but overall it still is fun, light entertainment where the leads are all easy to support and notwithstanding the aged CGI, the action beats mostly deliver. I had only seen The Mummy Returns theatrically so getting to see the first film on the big screen was an opportunity worth taking. 

Another admission is that somewhere in the multiverse are early 90’s versions of The Mummy involving some combination of George A. Romero, John Sayles, Joe Dante, Clive Barker, and Mick Garris; all were attached at one point. Stephen Sommers isn’t usually someone I love but making this an adventure in the 1920’s w/ horror elements as a nod to Indiana Jones… that worked in this case. I had no memory of the Jerry Goldsmith score; as typical, it was a quality score from him.

For those that are against “grave robbing” of artifacts from ancient minority cultures by dumb white people… you’ll be amused that they caused the resurrection of Imhotep, a high priest who once acquiring full power is set to rule the world alongside his gal that he has to resurrect himself. Native Egyptians are part of the crew that attempts to stop Imhotep; it is wacky that Rachel Weisz was supposed to be half-Egyptian yet that was ultimately meaningless when it came to enjoying the film. The cliché of a romantic couple who began the story as antagonistic towards each other seems to be around since the time of King Tut; how effective each is of course is rated on a case-by-case basis.

Thankfully, Brendan Fraser was delightful as rough around the edges Rick while Weisz as Evelyn wasn’t just a damsel in distress and thankfully wasn’t a Mary Sue either. This featured quite a few characters (whether in support of the lead or as foils) and the movie did a decent job juggling all those balls and unlike what we get too often now, The Mummy isn’t afraid to kill characters. As an Indiana Jones pastiche*, The Mummy still thrills; it does make me sad that Mom passed away a few years ago—she would have been excited to hear I saw something she really liked on the big screen. Pretty soon, I’ll discuss the other two movies in the franchise; ironically, before yesterday I actually remembered more about The Mummy Returns than the OG picture… and not just THAT all-time terrible CG effect. The sequels should give me plenty to discuss.

• Which I’d rather watch again than probably Crystal Skull and doubtlessly, Dial of Destiny.