5. The Mummy (1999)

Welcome to my review on one of the greatest adventure films in history!

The 1999 version of The Mummy is a film I am willing to bet a LOT of people have seen. It is a visual masterpiece, and holds up well despite it being around 21 years old (basing that maths off my own age as I'm a year older than this film). Now recent events have inspired me to once again come back to this film. A great many of you (I hope) will remember back in March/April time I was studying to get my Egyptology diploma and thought it funny to watch this film over and over. I since gained a distinction and got my diploma and moved on to an Archaeology diploma which I got a distinction in as well! (Achieved around two weeks ago, based on when this review will be published) I would of course just like to note The Mummy is mainly fictional and I did not learn anything substantial in order to pass my exams, but it was fun to be in the constant adrenaline filled mind-state. Have any of you seen that video where the Vintage Egyptologist lady sits and watches this movie and points out its historical flaws? It's brilliant, but even she agrees this is a good movie!

Those of you who have had the misfortune to actually sit and watch this film with me, will know that my favourite bit out of the full 124 minute film is the part when our heroes wash up to shore after jumping ship. For those who need reminding it goes like this:

Beni: Hey O'Connell! Looks to me like we have all the horses!

*Brendan Fraser looks around*

Rick: Hey Beni! Looks to me like you're on the wrong side of the river!

*Cue Beni having a tantrum as he realises his mistake.

Cracks me up every single time, and yes I can pretty much quote the entire movie. So apart from that classic scene, it is pretty obvious that I love this film. With characters like Jonathan and Rick who wouldn't? For those unfortunate souls who have never ventured to the dark depths of supernatural Egypt here is a short summary...

High Priest Imhotep has an affair with Pharaoh Seti I's mistress, Anck-su-namun, they get discovered, kill him, and then Anck-su-namun kills herself after declaring to the guards 'My body will no longer be his temple' or something along those lines. Imhotep is dragged away by his priests so that he may come back and revive her. He steals her corpse but halfway through the ritual to bring her back to life he is dragged off by the royal guards and effectively buried alive. Remember this, it drives the plot later on.

So we cut to many years later, we meet Rick and Beni during their first trip to Hamunaptra, and then switch to meeting Evie and Jonathan, siblings who help out at the museum/library. 

So Jonathan gifts this puzzel box like thing which turns out to be a key and a map to Hamunaptra to his sister, which he had actually stolen off of Rick. They end up saving the latter's life and all go off to discover Hamunaptra so Evie can prove she is a worthy Egyptologist to the Bembridge scholars.

They bump into Beni and his group of American treasure hunters who are also after the gold of the dead and thus my favourite scene takes place after the group are attacked by the modern Medjai to stop them disturbing the dead, specifically the Evil dead who is located deep underground.

So the American's find the book of the dead, and our trio find Imhotep, who is a mummy first described as 'still juicy' which also tickles me. Evie reads from the book causing Imhotep to awaken from his supernatural slumber and slowly regenerate during a murder spree so he can return and resurrect his love. Blah blah blah, now they gotta stop him before he brings his wrath down onto the world.

Thinking back actually, this film may in fact be the stem for my irrational fear of zombies. This and Scooby Doo on Zombie Island. Man, what a childhood. While I can't be sure on that, it certainly determined my interest in Egyptian history and culture and has led me this far in establishing my continued education. 

As far as CGI goes, especially in the late 90s/ early 2000s, The Mummy excels. Children nowadays will laugh despite the realism, but back then this was enough to scar a kid, so much so I actually thought this was a horror film growing up ( at least until I established an obsession with film and how it works). I think realism is a big hit in this film as not only are the effects as real as they could get, the characters are all super 3 dimensional as well. Allow me to explain...

Rick O'Connell is a sarcastic, hot-headed, action man. But in a relatable way, despite being our hero he is still capable of showing he is scared, and uses his fear to his advantage. Thus we get the awesome scream back at the mummy scene, and he uses the adrenaline from his fear to drive momentum into stopping the beast.

Evelyn Carnahan is a wanna be Egyptologist and absolute klutz. She is sweet and smart, but also very real. Although she sometimes lets the moment get to her, she is still able to think of a way out, even if it means sacrificing herself. This isn't really a trait we see in horror situations, not many characters are able to think so logically during a time of mortal peril and it's very human of her.

Jonathan Carnahan is the opposite of his sister, and is basically our comic relief.  He has to be my favourite character in all 3 films. Sometimes it seems as if old John is the only sensible one in a situation even with a limited grasp of what's actually going on, but even through his accidental comedy he still finds a way to be completely human rather than a fictional character and his witty remarks don't feel scripted at all!

Have I mentioned that Brendan Fraser is my hero? Honestly, I love the man. A sublime actor, a brave man, and just all around nice guy. I also really like John Hannah, the scotsman always makes me smile even in slightly more serious roles, I recently watched Four Weddings and a Funeral for the first time and his recital of the poem by Auden made me cry. But in a nice way obvs...

I'm going to apologise at this point in my essay, I was originally going to review this particular film during a podcast as clearly I have a lot to say, but life got in the way and here we are. 

I won't lie, and this will be something a lot of people will disagree with me on, but I personally have yet to find a film that lives up to The Mummy in terms of action and adventure and how it inspires me to want to do something like that. As previously mentioned, when I was a kid this movie unlocked something in me, I wanted to be an adventurer, see the world, make some discoveries, be good. But then I realised in the real world this was impractical and all my dreams were shattered. I then moved on to that common stage in a young girl's life where they want to be an actress, I was told from many sources I won't ever make it so to give up now, some even went so far as to say I couldn't act which gave me major confidence issues. So I took a step back and decided the only way I could be an adventurer and be slightly practical while doing something I loved is to work in the film business some way or another, so I had my heart set on being a Director, Tim Burton became my idol! So I kept my ambitions in line, I chose to study Drama in school and despite my confidence issues my teacher said I was quite good! I progressed, in sixthform studied Film and Media and joined an acting group outside of school which I then went on to win an award! (I quit after that as I literally went to prove to my haters that I could act, I miss it) Years later through perhaps slightly failed attempts at making short films, a short career in stop motion animation and set design, here I am, reviewing the world I would love to join and yet still keeping my options open for that great adventure. 

My point for telling that little drab story was because The Mummy and The Mummy Returns were responsible for awakening that desire in me. It's hard to explain but watching gives me goosebumps every time because that mix of hardcore adventure in the discovery of the unknown incorporated with those seamless action scenes, no matter how many times I see it, I still have the same reaction and no one else has ever got that mixture right. I mean despite my poor explanation there, clearly I am not the only one as this has a cult following for a reason!

Don't get me wrong, it's not all good things. As the Egyptologist mentioned, a lot of the historical facts are in fact incorrect or completely made up, but it is a work of fiction. The CGI is a little outdated but guys, this film is just over TWO DECADES old. I'm not going to lie though, my love for this film is blocking out all the bad and I actually cannot think of anything else to slate it on.

I think if you are into gritty, family friendly, action films, then this is the film for you. I'm not going so far as to award it full marks as that would be obnoxiously bias of me but I am going to give it a gentle 8/10 for ticking all the boxes. If we were rating the third installment I'm sorry to say it would be a different matter entirely, and should I be willing to acknowledge it's place in this world maybe we will come to that but for the moment I am happy enough with this one. If you haven't yet seen it and fancy a piece of Egypt in your home it is available on DVD pretty much everywhere, if not Prime have it to rent or buy!

Now no doubt when I do finally launch my podcast I will return to talk about this in way more depth than anyone wants but until then, stay safe, know you are loved and enjoy! Buh-bye!