Taking place in 1926 Egypt, The Mummy is a rollicking action
story starring Brendan Frasier as adventurer Rick O'Connell, who is bailed out
of a Cairo prison (he was arrested for having a very good time) by Evelyn and
Jonathan Carnahan, a sibling team of Egyptologists who want Rick to lead them to
the fabled City Of The Dead, which is reported to contain vast riches of the
ancient pharaohs buried deep within a scared chamber. Having fought a battle at
that location as a member of the French Foreign Legion, Rick knows the area well.
He also knows that there's something strange there, an unnatural force that
resides within the ruins.
Meeting up with a second team of Americans led by Beni, a little weasel of a man
who served with Rick in the French Foreign Legion and abandoned him to die, Rick,
Evy and Jonathan discover that they are also headed for the City Of The Dead as
well. Both teams agree to an uneasy truce, which comes in handy when they come
under attack by the Magi, fierce desert warriors who are descendants of the
pharaoh's personal bodyguards. Their sole purpose these days is to protect the
rest of the world from "He That Shall Not Be Named", also known as Imhotep.
Sealed alive within his coffin for having a forbidden affair with Anck-su-namum,
the wife of the Pharaoh, Imhotep awaits the day when he can awaken from his
rotting prison and once more walk the earth--and, of course, this is exactly
what happens.
Stylishly told and with a great sense of humor, The Mummy is a lot of fun to
watch. And the standout cast is also part of the reason this movie is so
enjoyable. Frasier does a superb job at playing a tough as nails adventurous
hero while still making the character his own. Rachel Wiesz shines as Evy, who
can be something of a klutz in her efforts to do the right thing. Arnold Vosloo
brings just the right amount of menace as Imhoptep without chewing the scenery.
John Hannah is also very good as Evy's drunken lush of a brother, and Kevin O'
Connor is appropriately slimy as Beni. Writer/director Stephen Sommers keeps the
action moving at a frenetic pace, all without sacrificing the story and humor.
The Mummy became a surprise hit of the summer of 1999, and it's easy to see why,
since it's a movie that can be enjoyed over and over again. The DVD is packed
with extras, namely various "making of" documentaries that
focus on the marvelous special effects that were created by George Lucas' ILM
company. There are also deleted scenes, and a great audio commentary by Director
Sommers and film editor Bob Ducsay; this is one of the better audio commentaries
I have heard on a DVD, since it's very informative as well as being funny at the
same time. This Mummy remake will never make you forget Karloff's original classic, but
watching it every now and again is a great way to discard your worries. Look
for the equally enjoyable sequel. --SF
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