Go with It

Rating: Null/10 (22 October 2000)

This movie is great fun from beginning to end. It never takes itself seriously and the audience is only expected to go along with the excitement. In no way is it a remake of the 1932 horror classic. That early story is just a springboard to bigger and better entertainment. And infinitely more high-speed foolishness. "The Mummy" (1999) has its share of horror, and without gore. It also has action, adventure, comedy, suspense, villainy, visual beauty, a hero to cheer for and a heroine to die for. (But the hero doesn't.) The special effects by Industrial Light & Magic are terrific, although there may be one sandstorm illusion too many. But then, it's Egypt. Brendan Fraser is ideally cast: he's no longer the lovable simpleton of "George of the Jungle." He has the skill and the screen presence needed to be a fine mock-swashbuckler, always ready with the throwaway smart-a(leck) quip. Don't bother about holes in the plot; if there are any, no one cares. The film's purpose is to give its viewers a fun-filled interlude, and it succeeds on every level. Footnote: stay with it for the closing credits. All by themselves they're a triumph of goofy design. The movie is two hours of pure cinematic good times. 8 stars out of 10.