The Mummy

Plot

In 1926, Jonathan gives his younger sister, Evelyn (who is fascinated with Egyptian history due to her mother being of Egyptian heritage), an artifact, that hides a map to what appears to be a way to find the ancient lost city of Hamunaptra.

To guide them, they hire Rick O’Connell, (who Jonathan stole the artifact from), who has been to Hamunaptra – but they find that another party is trying to find it too, led by Benni, a former friend who betrayed Rick years ago.

Once there, they, inadvertently awaken Imhotep, a mummy dead for millennia – who is desperate to reconnect with his long lost love – and he has eyes for Evelyn to be the human sacrifice!

As he starts to re-generate, his strength grows, and the two teams must band together to stop him.

Cast

Brendan Fraser plays Rick O’Connell. He is every part of the 90s heart throb that you want leading an action film. Here he was in his prime, and commands the screen with his charm.

Rachel Weisz is adorable and oozes sex appeal as Evelyn. You can’t help not love her in the role. My only gripe is the first scene she is in which pegs her as a klutz (following a drastic accident in a library), that doesn’t overly continue later in the film.

Supporting cast who get plenty to do include; John Hannah (as Jonathan, Evelyn’s brother), Arnold Vosloo (as Imhotep the villain of the film), Oded Fehr (as the leader of a group bound to stop Imhotep’s return), and Kevin J O Connor (as Benni, Rick’s old ‘friend’ who left him to die years ago.

Breakdown

Seemingly retired director Steven Summers directs. He gives the perfect blend of action adventure, with comedic and romance entwined. Just how a movie should be!

Starting with an exposition overload, where we learn that one of the Pharaoh’s high priests Imhotep is having an affair with the Priest’s mistress. Together they kill him, and then are banished to internal damnation…

Cut to 1926, and we rather quickly get to the crux of the story, where two teams are trying to get to an ancient city in Egypt, to locate a solid gold book. But alas, not only does one team get a curse put on them for opening a chest they shouldn’t have – but Evelyn reads from the wrong book and awakens Imhotep! This is perhaps another moment that shows Evelyn as ‘slightly’ clueless, that is a mixed personality of what she can be, and should be!

I loved the banter within the film that really does feel like these are real people, much of it comes between either Rick and Benni (who Rick clearly holds a grudge for leaving him to die in the opening battle sequence). There is also fun “Brits v Americans” in some dialogue between John/Evie and Rick too that is more fun than it should be. I also loved that the characters have an almost ‘self awareness’ of what is happening around them (wind blowing after dialogue ‘that happens a lot around here’)

The action and stunt work is great too, with special mentions to the shoot out on the boat that lead to the fire, and Rick being hung where Fraser did his own stunts (and reportedly passed out during one take!).

Considering this was made in 1999, the graphics have held up considerably well. The 1926 setting ‘might’ be questionable, with some of the attire or personality traits, but its forgiven for being such a fun ride. Most of the deaths happen off screen, and are more “PG13” than “MA15+” – these are part of the ‘one by one they die trope’ of the men who opened the chest in Imhotep’s tomb.

The third act, in which Imhotep is fully restored (having ‘taken’ all the men who opened his chest) is a little long winded, and even has Benni ‘double cross’ his new master…

The eventual ‘love story’ of Rick and Evelyn is done right too, and it helps that the two leads are stunningly attractive too.

The score by the late great Jerry Goldsmith is brilliant, as always.

Overall

Near perfect action adventure has all you need from a “B” Grade monster movie, fun action, dialogue, double crosses, and romance to boot.

Fraser was at his best here, while he fell off due to (now known) reasons for a decade or so, he’s back with a vengeance now!

Followed by The Mummy Returns, a (now non cannon) third movie, and a fourth in the works with both Fraser and Weisz set to return. Can’t wait!

4.5/5

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