Streaming Gems: The Mummy (1999)
Photo from IMDb
From Shane Conto
Have you ever been caught saying “They just don’t make films like this anymore?” If you have, you have also probably been called “pretentious”. But the reassuring thing is that sometimes, you are absolutely right! That is certainly the case when you speak about Stephen Sommers’ The Mummy from 1999. This big budget remake of the classic Universal monster movie was the perfect combination of classic horror and swashbuckling adventure flick. There have been some great comic book movies in the past 25 years but they have almost completely overtaken the action and adventure genre. Along with Pirates of the Caribbean, there are few old fashioned adventure films like The Mummy.
What is so great about the tone and genre bending that Sommers is able to accomplish? The Mummy is such a unique film as it balances a great sense of humor, some legitimate creepy and scary moments, and a rousing sense of advenutre. There are so many hilarious moments in the film and a lot of them stem from the acting. Rachel Weisz and John Hannah have such fun personalities and sell some solid physical comedy. Kevin J. O’Connor just might be the under appreciated MVP of the film with some great comedic timing. Then you have Brendan Fraser. Infinitely charming and throwing around one-liners like it was his job (which it kind of was), Fraser just lit up the screen like a classic adventure hero from a forgotten time in film. The “horse/river” banter between O’Connor and Fraser is just pure gold.
What makes this such a great classic adventure flick? We have a good globetrotting feel and exotic locations as the film takes the audience across the Egyptian desert. There are cool set pieces including the ancient city of Hamunaptra which we get to see in cool flashback sequences as well. There are plenty of exciting action sequences from a burning ship to shoot outs to outrunning zombies to a huge plane stunt out in the desert. Imhotep makes for a big bad that is scary and intimidating. This power entity makes for a great challenge to Rick O’Connell and company to handle. The special effects and make-up just really tie the room together as they capture some great creature designs so well.
But this was based on a horror film, right? Sommers is still able to find ways to incorporate some scares along the way. This is a perfectly balanced film that just knows where it needs to be at any given moment. There are a few jump scares that are quite effective (when Imhotep’s corpse comes to life for the first time will get you for sure). There are some seriously disturbing body horror elements in the film too that will stick with you. The scarabs are terrifying and seeing them burrowing in people is unnerving. What Imhotep does to people to regain his life produces some serious nightmare fuel for sure. Some of the imagery in the film is just downright disturbing as well.
What is the nice cherry on top for this swashbuckling horror/adventure? There is some darn good romance in the film as well. The chemistry between Fraser and Weisz is off the charts. Weisz is both cute and alluring at the same time. The classic trope of nerdy girl who is actually pretty underneath all the glasses and such is certainly tiring but it fits in this throwback adventure flick. Fraser is just incredibly charming, handsome, and resourceful. You just can’t help but love the two of them together. When the film slows to focus on their romance, it does take you out of the movie because they are just so great together.
The Mummy checks a lot of boxes doesn’t it? This is a funny movie with buckets of charm to enjoy. The horror elements are effective and invoke the old school Universal monster movies. Watching The Mummy now is a breath of fresh air with its swashbuckling and rousing sense of adventure. They really don’t make movies like this anymore but we are lucky Sommers and company did back in 1999.
The Mummy is streaming on Hulu.
