An Honest Review

Rating: 9/10 (25 November 2016)

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. If anyone actually bothers to read my reviews probably knows how often I go off on how horrible and unnecessary remakes are...but the last Mummy movie was in, what, 1959? 40 years is enough time to wait. I mean, unless you're remaking Citizen Kane, Ben Hur, The Godfather, than a gap that long is appropriate. It's fair to remake a movie after four-decades, I was 19 when this one came out and my dad was 6 when the last one came out...so long as you aren't remaking a masterpiece, that's long enough to be kosher.
The original Mummy wasn't a masterpiece, but it was fun, especially since it didn't age as well the 1932 version and even that, due to age, isn't exactly spine chilling any longer.
In fact, because of the age and the lack of special effects and how fake a lot of it looks by today's standards, both the 32 and the 59 versions seem more campy than creepy.
And the 1999 The Mummy keeps that in mind. It opts to go more for laughs and an adventure feel than real horror, but it keeps the time period creating a brilliant homage to the original and the warped perspectives modern audiences have on the horror movies that became campy cult classics.
The result is a child friendly movie that adults can enjoy, but one that goes beyond that. The Mummy 1999 is throw back enough to entertain any cinephile if for no other reason than the dual references.
It makes for a nice release, the tension vanishes and, from the start the audience understands that they are in for a fun adventure with elements of horror, rather than a film that is going to take itself too seriously.
It makes for a light-hearted and fun film that's enjoyable for all ages. It's certainly worth your time for pure escapism if nothing else.