The Mummy (1999)
Let’s begin with a great fantasy-action-thriller from 1999. Many hold firmly to the concept that a remake is never better than the original. Same thought process as the idea that all sequels are innately inferior. This is an opinion that I feel has been successfully debunked, and there is no better example of how good a remake can be than the 1999 reimagining of the Universal Pictures monster movie, The Mummy. Directed and rescripted by Stephen Sommers (1994’s The Jungle Book), The Mummy is based on the 1932 Boris Karloff film of the same name. The film sees an ancient Egyptian priest raised from the dead, wielding the powers of the Ten Plagues of Egypt. Only a loveable team of treasure hunters (who awoke the Mummy in the first place) can stop this powerful evil from resurrecting his long lost love, and bending the world to his whim.
Unlike the original Mummy, which was a slower-paced horror movie, Sommer’s revision of the tale is action oriented and filled with well-delivered comedy. The cast includes Brandan Fraser (Encino Man), Rachel Weisz (Black Widow), Arnold Vosloo (G.I. Joe), and John Hannah (Four Weddings and a Funeral), and each of them recreates a charming stereotype of the action films of the 30s. The Mummy is filled with action that is brought to life with state-of-the-art creature effects (for the 90s), and combined with the recreated horror-adventure atmosphere of the original, I can assure you The Mummy keeps you well entertained.
Word Count: 247
