Throwback Thursday Review: 'The Mummy' (1999)

Sorry for the delay due to a multitude of things but I'm reviewing The Mummy (1999) to tie in with the release of the reboot The Mummy (2017) that will establish a new shared cinematic universe, the Dark Universe. Later this week, I'll cross the finish line on Cars reviews with a Throwback Thursday Review of Cars 2 and a review of Cars 3. Other reviews you can expect for the remainder of June include Throwback Thursday Reviews over Transformers: Age of Extinction and Despicable Me 2 in addition to new reviews over Transformers: The Last Knight, Baby Driver, and Despicable Me 3.

'The Mummy' (1999) Review

Nominated For: Best Sound.

The Mummy accompanies a 1925 expedition of explorers intent on finding unparalleled relics in the Sahara Desert. The team encounters an ancient tomb in the midst of their journey and accidentally free Imhotep, an ancient Egyptian priest condemned to a eternity as one of the undead. The band of adventurers then must find a way to imprison the primal threat or risk the end of the world as they know it. 

This 1999 rendition of The Mummy was the third cinematic iteration of the mythic monster and probably the version modern audiences would be liable to recognize and champion. Stephen Sommers wrote and directed the reboot, instilling elements commonly found in action-adventure epics to fashion a film in the style of Raiders of the Lost Ark. The Mummy actually owes a lot to Raiders since that film and the subsequent adventures of Indiana Jones paved the way for even more action-adventure blockbusters in Hollywood.

Sommers ensures The Mummy bolsters an adventurous spirit well throughout its two hour runtime by arranging entertaining action sequences while ingraining amusing one-liners and plucky adventurers into the script. Sommers received story assistance from Lloyd Fonvielle and Kevin Jarre and the trio piece together a rather riveting tale. Jerry Goldsmith also arranged eerie ancient Egyptian-esque compositions that serve as ideal accompaniment for the ongoing events.

The area I feel The Mummy deteriorated most though is definitely the effects arena. The undead Imhotep looks as though he were pulled straight out of an archaic video game and doesn't mesh well with his surroundings. While I don't expect every film's special effects to stand the test of time, several examples of even older films with timeless effects come to mind (Star Wars and Alien to name just two).

In spite of this, The Mummy is anchored by an electric ensemble. Brendan Fraser demonstrates the required roguish charm of a leading man as Rick O'Connell while Rachel Weisz's Evelyn Carnahan is a cut above the average damsel thanks to her spunk and tenacity. The two make a sufficient romantic pairing for the feature with some charged chemistry. John Hannah plays the comedic sidekick Johnathan Carnahan with all the goofiness he can muster and Kevin J. O'Connor fills out the cast as the contemptible coward Beni Gabor.

Last but not least, Arnold Vosloo fills the shoes of the evil Imhotep. Vosloo projects a serious demeanor and slight menace but comes across as cartoonish in some instances thanks to the effects and the writing. Imhotep's motivations are expressed but his character still winds up feeling one-note when it's all said-and-done.

In summary, The Mummy takes the time to wrap up everything needed for a quality adventure flick; action, romance, mysticism, and humor. The Mummy may not be on the level of Indiana Jones but it's an admirable outing nonetheless. 

Film Assessment: B-