The Mummy

***Indiana Jones Horror Story*** If you think "The Mummy" (1999) is a remake of the glacial, ultra-serious classic of the same name, think again. This version is just as much an action/adventure (and comedy) as it is horror; and not 'horror' in the sense that it's scary, but rather horrific. Also, be ready for quite a few laugh-out-loud parts. Everything magically works, granting the viewer a highly entertaining romp. Brendan Fraser is perfect as the Indiana Jones wannabe. Rachael Weisz is so cute it's hard to take your eyes off her (WATCH OUT for her opening library scene). Arnold Vosloo is great as the mummy Imhotep and Oded Fehr is memorable as Ardeth Bay, the Magi guardian of the City of the Dead. John Hannah offers some comedic amusing moments as Eve’s brother and Kevin J. O'Connor is perfect as a selfish, disloyal, greedy little weasel. "The Mummy" is not great ponderous art as in, say, "Apocalypse Now" or "2001: A Space Odyssey," but it is great adventure and horrific fun. On that level, it's filmmaking of the highest order. The movie runs 2 hours, 4 minutes, and was shot in England, Morocco and Glen Canyon, Arizona. GRADE: A-

**An action-comedy horror blockbuster that hits at every level!** The Mummy gets everything right! This remake takes the original monster movie and brilliantly blends it with "Indiana Jones"esque adventure. Though primarily an action-adventure movie, The Mummy adds comedy and horror with outstanding results. Brendan Fraser and John Hannah's humor provides moments of release between monster kills and the attack of undead hordes. Stephen Sommers perfectly balances fun and fright, simultaneously leaving the audience in peril and safety. The Mummy has something for everyone creating a delightful and widely entertaining action-horror romp. This film lands at the number one spot as my favorite creature feature of all time!

This is just a good bit of fun. Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz star as the unlikely couple who set off to discover the golden treasures of Pharaoh Seti I. Alongside her hapless, scaredy-cat brother (John Hannah) they encounter the Mummy - an epitome of evil, disease and destruction - and engage in a battle royale to defeat this monstrous reincarnation. Stephen Sommers keeps this moving along well, and there is enough in the script to make you smile now and again. Perhaps not a film to be too closely scrutinised by any Egyptologists out there, but it's an enjoyable little romp through a rarely exploited vein of ancient mythology.