Fun Action Film!

Rating: Null/10 (16 April 2000)

Before I posted my review of this film, I read all the other comments here. And the one thing that struck me as a common feature was "plot holes". I must question - do you people even KNOW what a "plot hole" is? Perhaps the story-line in this film was weak, but there were no plot holes - it was a cohesive story with every event discussed. Were there a few "leaps of faith"? Sure, but then again, we are talking about resurrecting the dead here!
I am a Brendan Fraser fan. His range is incredible. His goofiness in films like "George of the Jungle" and "Dudley Do-Right" is endearing. Yet, as shown in films like "Gods and Monsters", he can carry a serious film and be brilliant in it. In "The Mummy", Fraser now proves his talent in action/adventure films.
Considering that the very purpose of this film - much like the original - was to suspend belief, I thought this remake was one of the best action/special effects films of 1999 (far better than "Star Wars: Episode 1"). More importantly, of the recent "monster remakes" (Dracula, Frankenstein), I found "The Mummy" to be the best. The effects were astounding. I will say this - between the 1999 films like "The Matrix", "The Mummy", "Star Wars: Episode 1" and "The Haunting", the effects films of 2000 and beyond have quite a feat to overcome to appear fresh. Besides the astounding effects (which put 1998's "Godzilla" to shame), I felt that this film did have a story that was not only humorous, but upbeat. There were a few scenes that created surprise (and if you were a child, you could have been scared - I heard as much from the children in the theater), but mostly the film was fun to watch. The acting was perfect given the simplicity of the story.
Of course, this brings me to the story. Was it too simple? In many ways, yes, and this would be the film's only shortcoming. The "romance" story was very simple, but then, that was not the main plot. There were some historical inaccuracies and character development was limited. Of course, this whole adventure was supposed to take place over a series of days, not weeks, months or years. Therefore, we learned all that was needed given our brief involvement as spectators in these character's lives.
I have since purchased the DVD version of this film and watch it at least once a week. The DVD is filled with all sorts of "goodies" that make this film even more fun.
If you want a fun action film, "The Mummy" is it. If you want a "brilliant" story, then wait until the end of the year when the studios release their Oscar winner-wannabes. But for early summer fun, this film was perfect.

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 4