Once in a while we are offered a film that has been re-released after an original release date of 20,30,40 years since its first listing: "2001: A Space Odyssey", "The Wizard of Oz", "Jurassic Park", and "Alien"which is now in re-release after its 45th anniversary. Well, now we are offered the 25th anniversary release of "The Mummy" 1999 to sit back and enjoy once again.
This film is a rousing, suspenseful and horrifying epic reboot of the classic 1932 version, about an expedition of treasure-seeking explorers, including Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser), Evelyn (Rachel Weisz), Jonathan Carnahan (John Hannah), in the Sahara Desert in 1925. Stumbling upon an ancient tomb,the hunters unwittingly set loose a 3,000-year-old legacy of terror, which is embodied in the vengeful reincarnation of an Egyptian priest, Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo) who had been sentence to an eternity as one of the living dead.
Others to round out the cast are Kevin J. O'Connor as Beni Gabor, Jonathan Hyde as Dr. Allen Chamberlain, Erik Avari as Dr. Terrence Bey, Oded Fehr as Ardeth Bay, Stephen Dunham as Mr. Henderson, Corey Johnson as Mr. Daniels, Tuc Watkins as Mr. Burns and Bernard Fox as Captain Winston Havelock.
This was humorously directed with a plethora of grit by Stephen Sommers ("Catch Me If You Can" '89, "Terror Eyes" '89, "The Adventures of Huck Finn" '93, "The Jungle Book" '94, "Deep Rising" '98, "The Mummy Returns" '01, "Van Helsing" '04, "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" '09, "Odd Thomas" '13) plus a video game. This filmmaker knows how to direct these types of films since his resume proves this before this film was released and after. He certainly was able to stage and pace his actors where they even looked better and performed so well, one would think they're the characters they are playing. If you like this director's brand, his "When Worlds Collide" is in development. It was also written equally by Stephen Sommers ("Deep Rising" '98, "The Mummy Returns" '01, "The Scorpion King" '02, "Van Helsing" '04, "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" '08, "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" '09 (story), "Odd Thomas" '13), based on a screen story by Stephen Sommers, Lloyd Fonvielle and Kevin Jarre. I feel this was created as a homage to "Raiders of the Lost Ark" '81 being similar in the feel of the film, just as "Sahara" '05 with Matthew McConaughey also was. This film as the others are films that the movie theater was created to show--entertaining, action, swashbuckling types of films. We need more of these films considering all that's so difficult out there in the world. This film was sequenced well where each scene was effortlessly created that came across amazingly realistic. And the photography by Adrian Biddle bsc was breathtaking in every scene. The visual effects predominantly designed by ILM (Industrial, Light & Magic) was seamless and actually enhanced the story.
I you like the 'Indiana Jones' type of movies, you will like this. I saw this when it was released in ;99, but, since this looks so good on the large screen, I just had to go and see it again...on the large scree. But, if one has never seen this film, this is a must see--it has it all, action, humor, great storytelling and wonderful visuals all the while being entertaining and being a great vehicle for amazing escapism. Enjoy this ride! I know I did!
Out of 4 Stars: 4 Rated: PG-13 125mins.
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