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The Mummy / The Mummy Returns (1999)
Starring: Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz Director: Stephen Sommers
If you're expecting bandaged-wrapped corpses and a lurching Boris Karloff-type villain, then you've come to the wrong movie.
But if outrageous effects, a hunky hero, and some hearty laughs are what you're looking for, the 1999 version of The Mummy is spectacularly good fun.
The Mummy
(1999) - Yes, the critics called it "hokey," "cheesy," and "pallid."
Well, the critics are unjust.
Granted, the plot tends to stray, the acting is a bit of a stretch, and the characters occasionally slip into cliché, but who cares?
When that action gets going, hold tight--those two hours just fly by.
The premise of the movie isn't that far off from the original.
Egyptologist and general mess Evelyn (Rachel Weisz) discovers a map to the lost city of Hamunaptra, and so she hires rogue Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser) to lead her there.
Once there, Evelyn accidentally unlocks the tomb of Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo), a man who had been buried alive a couple of millennia ago with flesh-eating bugs as punishment for sleeping with the pharaoh's girlfriend.
The ancient mummy is revived, and he is determined to bring his old love back to life, which of course means much mayhem (including the unleashing of the 10 plagues) and human sacrifice.
Despite the rather gory premise, this movie is fairly tame in terms of violence; most of the magic and surprise come from the special effects, which are glorious to watch, although Imhotep, before being fully reconstituted, is, as one explorer puts it, rather "juicy." Keep in mind this film is as much comedy as it is adventure--those looking for a straightforward horror pic will be disappointed.
But for those who want good old-fashioned eye-candy kind of fun, The Mummy ranks as one of choicest flicks of 1999.
The Mummy Collection - The Mummy / The Mummy Returns
(Widescreen Edition) (1999)
Encoding: Region 1 (US and Canada only)
Format: Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen, Box set, Dolby
Studio: Umvd
DVD Features:
Commentary by writer/director Stephen Sommers (I) and editor Bob Ducsay
Commentary by director Stephen Sommers
Production notes
Theatrical trailer(s)
The Mummy
Musical score by Jerry Goldsmith on alternate audio track (as a hidden feature)
"Building a Better Mummy, an original 40-minute documentary featuring writer/director Stepen Sommers (I), visual effects supervisor John Berton, and the crew of "Industrial Light & Magic" as well as an in-depth look into the creative and technical processes behind the heart-stopping special effects
"Egyptology 101", a collection of facta about ancient Egypt and Egyptian mythology
Deleted scenes
The Mummy Returns
In-depth look into the astonishing special effects: stage-by-stage breakdown of key special effects scenes
Unlock the secrets of the Scorpion King! Exclusive DVD-ROM access to the production of next summer's blockbuster The Scorpion King, including a never-before-available interview with The Rock
Go behind the scenes with director Stephen Sommers and the cast
Outtakes
Live music video
"Chamber of Doom": a virtual tour of Universal Studios' latest theme park attraction
"Egyptology 201": a fun and educational look at ancient Egypt and Egyptian mythology
Widescreen anamorphic format
Number of discs: 2 |
The Mummy Ultimate Edition (1999)
Encoding: Region 1 (US and Canada only)
Format: Color, Closed-captioned, DTS Surround Sound, Widescreen, Dolby
Studio: Universal Studios
DVD Features:
Commentary by director Stephen Sommers and editor Bob Ducsay
Theatrical trailer(s)
"Building a Better Mummy": An in-depth look into the filmmaking process
Visual and special effects formation: A detailed look into the sepcial effects
"Egyptology 101": Facts about ancient Egypt and Egyptian mythology
Deleted scenes
DVD ROM Content: Original script with links to feature film, storyboard and feature film comparison, Pharoah Lineage A look at the
pharoahs, Spotlight on Location: Highlights on the filming of The Mummy Returns, Mummy PC Video game demo and trailer
Full-screen and widescreen anamorphic formats
Number of discs: 2
Other Formats: VHS, VHS widescreen, DVD, DVD, Theatrical
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