THE MUMMY 1999
A film review by Timothy Voon
Copyright 1999 Timothy Voon
3 out of 5 for the curse from the grave
Cast: Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo, Kevin J. O'Connor, Oded Fehr. Screenplay: Stephen Sommers. Producers: James Jacks and Sean Daniel. Director: Stephen Sommers.
Cap: Unfortunately, this is not Indiana Jones, although Brendan Fraser tries his best to fill his shoes; which is as near an impossible feat to let's say raising a mummy from the dead.
The concept and feel of this movie is what draws a crowd. Drawn perhaps by the romance and sands of Egypt, where long ago the forbidden love affair between the High Priest and the Pharaoh's Mistress draws a curse so great that it could destroy the world. Yeah Right! What is impressive though, is the ensemble of special effects. Walls of sand, whirling dervishes, mummified priests, death beetles that eat you alive – now that's what we've all really come to see. And if that's what you're looking for, then it comes more or less served as a ten-course meal. With the rise of the mummy, returns the ten plaques of Egypt. Believe me this is one very, angry, nasty mummy whose out for revenge. Where death is only the beginning, he's back to suck the life force out of grave robbers, steal the girl, sacrifice her to raise another girl, beat the good guy to a pulp and just generally be big, mean and very nasty.
Overall, disappointing in the script and acting department. Particularly disappointing was the heroine (Rachel Weisz), who was so British that it almost made it impossible for the hero (Brendan Fraser), to get into her knickers. In fact there was no chemistry between them at all. Perhaps, and just perhaps, the only one who could have lit her fire was the Mummy, but then only maybe. Even more annoying was her brother (John Hannah), who was so annoyingly unfunny, as the side kick, they should have hired a camel instead. But don't let all these setbacks spoil your enjoyment of the otherwise thrilling Mummy.
Timothy Voon
e-mail: stirling@eisa.net.au
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