A Modern Adventure Classic

Rating: 9/10 (23 February 2020)

Set in the wind-swept dunes of Ancient Egypt, we're shown a quick glimpse of the origin story for what will soon become the early 20th century, where we're introduced to the tone for what will be the rest of the films length; our hero, O'Connell, serving in the French Foreign Legion, facing down an imminent threat with nothing but self-assuredness and brazen courage against over-whelming odds, and coming out alive. To his side is his "buddy" Beni.
Mystic ancient orders, gun fights, sword fights, mummies, insects, magic, even a bi-plane, and then the afterlife, all set against the backdrop of the ruins of old, and the city-streets of new Egypt. While this movie relies on a good amount of CGI special effects to accomplish this, there's more than enough genuine stunt-work, wire-work, tracking shots on vehicles, and practical effects to keep the adventure enthusiast humbled, and the sets give off a very authentic-feeling atmosphere for 1920's Egypt, especially the ruins which feel old and forgotten by time, as if completely removed from the world, entering a place that teeters on the edge between the world of the living and the world of the dead. The studio could have skimped on the details, but everything from the hookah smoking, the period-authentic music in the background, and the money they use in few shots that it's visible, that even the small details were accounted for.
The acting from the cast is nothing particularly jaw-dropping, but clearly done well enough to make you earnestly root for the characters, believe their backgrounds, and trust in what they're saying. Brendan manages to carry a brutish machismo undercut by a sly wit with a manner of grace that keeps him elevated and within the charming category. Evelyn (Rachel Weisz) gives her character a certain level of cute braggadociousness despite always being undercut by those around her, but still coming out ahead intellectually from time to time, keeping her from falling into the narrow trope of "girl to rescue" and more of someone to admire at times. Jonathan has the guile of a weasel as he sneaks in and out of confrontation, although remaining loyal to those he trusts. These 3 take up the majority of screen time, while other characters like Beni and Ardeth come and go throughout. Beni, on the one hand, plays a true con-artist and a coward, and very similar to Jonathan but playing the opposite of Jonathan's loyal characteristic where he is instead incredibly disloyal, favoring whoever has the upper hand. The roles blend together to create a truly entertaining thrill ride where you already know the out-comes for many of them, but it's just so fun you can't help but smile and hold on.
Stephen Sommers crafted a truly great adventure film that stands up there with the greats like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Pirates of the Caribbean, Back to the Future, King Kong, and Jurassic Park. In another 10 years, this will be referred to as "Classic Cinema".