Title: The Mummy
Directed by: Alex Kurtzman
Screenplay: David Koepp, Christopher McQuarrie, and Dylan Kussman
Music: Brian Tyler
Cinematography: Ben Seresin
Edited by: Paul Hirsch, Gina Hirsch, and Andrew Mondshein
Production Companies: Perfect World Pictures, Secret Hideout, Conspiracy Factory, and Sean Daniel Company
Type: Fiction
Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Adventure, Action
Producers: Alex Kurtzman, Chris Morgan, Sean Daniel, and Sarah Bradshaw
Distributed by: Universal Pictures
Rating: Rated PG-13 for violence, action and scary images, and for some suggestive content and partial nudity.
Release Date: June 9, 2017
Running Time: 107 minutes
Source: Tickets purchased by my boyfriend from Cineplex Canada
Synopsis: Though safely entombed in a crypt deep beneath the unforgiving desert, an ancient princess, whose destiny was unjustly taken from her, is awakened in our current day bringing with her malevolence grown over millennia, and terrors that defy human comprehension. Written by Universal Pictures
– TRAILER –
– MY REVIEW –
Going into this review, I would first like all of you to know that I am a big fan of the 1999 The Mummy film with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz (directed by Stephen Sommers). The action, humor, and horror were expertly blended, and it’s just a joy to watch that film (and I have done so many times over the years). The sequel (The Mummy Returns), which came out just 2 years later, was good too, although the first film still remains the top one for me. I also feel like I should inform you that I have never watched the third film in the series, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, and will likely only do so in order to form an opinion about it, rather than out of curiosity or a need to see it. One of my favourite parts about the first two films was seeing Brenda Fraser and Rachel Weisz’s characters’ romance and interactions, and since Rachel Weisz’s character was re-cast in the third installment, I felt sad and did not bother trying to see it.
But, back to this year’s release of The Mummy (awkwardly titled the same as the 1999 film). I could find no connection to the first three films at all, which kind of made sense due to the title not having a subtitle. So, we are thrown into a world where we are uncertain as to whether the same rules as in the 1999 and 2001 films apply, which was fine too, since this film can definitely be viewed without one having watched any of the other Mummy movies distributed by Universal.
I also went into this movie feeling a little cautious because although I love Tom Cruise and have watched most of his movies, I have found that lately he’s becoming like another Nicholas Cage to me (meaning that his characters all feel the same, or similar). Maybe it’s just me, but anyway, I was hoping that that wouldn’t be the case here. And it sort of wasn’t. Cruise’s character, Nick Morton, definitely has a bit of a different feel to him than say Jack Reacher, or Ethan Hunt from the Mission Impossible series. I was also able to appreciate how well Tom Cruise seems to be taking care of his body. He looked really good!
The rest of the casting was fine, and while I would have appreciated a not-white leading lady (or kind-of-sidekick), I was not all that surprised that they cast a Caucasian blonde woman as Nick Morton’s love interest. Hey, a not-white male lead, or hey even just a female lead would have been great, but again, not surprised. At least the Egyptian characters in this film were actually people of colour. I was very impressed, with how much screen time Sofia Boutella got as Princess Ahmanet, and I kind of wish that this had been her movie (if you couldn’t tell from the gifs, I kind of have a girl crush). I really sympathized with Ahmanet, and would have been happy with a film just about her taking over the world (yes I’m one of those “root for evil” kind of people, haha). The special effects were also good, but other than the double-eye effect (not sure what to call this), nothing made me go “oooh” or “aaah.”
The acting overall was alright, although nothing spectacular, and there were some awkward parts. The action was satisfying, and the horror…horrifying (although not nightmare-inducing…which I really shouldn’t complain about because I was able to get a good night’s sleep after this film, unlike the nights following other horror flicks). And as for the plot, …it could have used a bit more work, but I was surprised at times, and intrigued overall. I’m curious to see whether they will be releasing a sequel, and although I might not watch it in theaters, I think that I would definitely give it a shot once it’s on DVD. Overall, my advice to you would be to go watch it in theatres if the trailer really excites you, and if my review didn’t scare you off…but other maybe hold off until you can watch it at home.
Speaking of the Universal Monster franchise being revved up, I would like to mention the old movies. You really cannot beat the originals. “Dracula’, Frankenstein’ and ‘The Mummy’; these are beautiful movies. I suggest putting all your per-conceived notions of old movies aside, and try to watch them with fresh eyes. I think a lot o younger people have missed out on a lot of really good movies From 1925 to 1939, American movie making was fantastic. In 1940, it took a big nosedive. 🙁
Here is a link to the 1932 version starring Boris Karloff.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mummy_(1932_film)
For some reason I had no idea about Universal wanting to reboot all of the monster movies before reading some of the comments on this review post!
Also, I had the privledge of watching and studying the original monster movies during my undergraduate and graduate years in university 🙂 and I agree that more people should give them a try, since they play such a big part in where we stand with movies today, as well as when it comes to our monsters specifically.
Also, thank you for the link! I will be sure to save it since I’ve been meaning to re-watch the old films! 😀
Yes, I’ve heard that it’s vastly different from the original ‘The Mummy’, which, like you, I really enjoyed. This version looks a lot darker and a lot scarier too. I haven’t seen it yet because I saw the trailer in the cinema and that was enough to scare me! I’m very bad with jump scares so I think I’ll wait until I can watch it in the safety of my own home with a cushion to hide behind 😛
Yes, the more I think about it, the 90s Mummy movie was more rom-com + adventure, with a hint of horror. This has a bit more horror, and less of the rom+com and adventure. Now that I know that Universal is rebooting their monster movies, starting with this one, a lot about this new The Mummy really makes sense! My opinions, however, still sand.
Definitely watch it at home if the trailer scared you! The trailer didn’t scare me, but the movie sure made me jump! Thanks so much for reading and commenting 😀
I’m glad I’m not the only person who sort of boycotted the 3rd Mummy from the original series. Without Rachel Weiz it just wasn’t the same movie! ❤️ this sounds better then I thought. I’m going to add it to my watching list now! Thanks for the helpful review.
Yeah, like I think I’d just be really sad while watching it, and not be able to really take the movie in because of it. Watching and reviewing it would therefore have been unfair to the people who put work into making the movie happen. And I’m glad that I was able to help you make a decision about this The Mummy! Thanks so much for reading and commenting 😀
Hey, thanks for following Indifferent Ignorance! I haven’t seen this recent ‘ The Mummy’, partly because Tom Cruise has DEFINITELY gone a bit Nicholas Cage (also I think Johnny Depp has too but moving on) but mostly because the original was so good and the advert for this one was so… meh. I’m probably just a snob though, I hope the series they’re doing with the characters from that universe will be good.
No need to thank me! I really like your blog 🙂
I’m glad that someone understood what I meant by Tom Cruise going a bit Nicholas Cage, hahaha. My parents like both Cage and Cruise, and never get what I mean! And I haven’t watched enough of Depp’s movie lately to know whether he’s Cage-ing, haha.
Also, I feel better about this movie now that I know it’s part of this new monster reboot series that Universal is doing. I might be comparing it less to the 90s Mummy now, and seeing it from a different angle. Some of what happens in the film also makes more sense to me now!
Haha ‘doing a Nicholas Cage’ should be in the dictionary. I haven’t seen a new Depp film for years – one of the ‘Pirates’ franchise was so bad I just took deep breath and decided to abstain. I might give ‘The Mummy’ a go if it’s on TV, but I will 100% be the dude in the back of the room complaining under their breath about the ART.
Yes, I think it’s definitely worth a watch! Especially since there seems to be a whole monster series coming out, which I was not aware of (woops). Also, wow I did not make that connection! Maybe I should have binged the previous movies before going to see this one, but since you mentioned that a connection wasn’t really necessary, maybe not.
And you’re so welcome! 🙂 I had fun writing it!
Ahhh I’m so glad! But yes, definitely best to watch it at home, or if your theater has a cheap ticket day haha. Thanks for reading and commenting! 🙂
I’m planning on watching it, mainly because of Sofia Boutella ! I love her work a lot, and she looks like an amazing mummy here
Yes! I was actually saying that to my bf last night, because we saw her in a trailer for another movie (I forget which). And then I told him what I’d written in my review about having preferred a movie where Boutella’s character was the main, hehe. He thinks she’s really cool too!
[…] I did review Wonder Woman, and Universal’s new The Mummy, and you can read them here and here. I watched Transformers: The Last Knight last night and was not too impressed. I will be reviewing […]
Your posts are interesting
Thank you!
Nice review, I never got around to seeing this myself but it doesn’t sound like I missed much. I will probably check it out on DVD as you say!