Review of Mummy, The: Collector`s Edition (Widescreen)

Video

This is a new film, in fact I can remember seeing this at the cinema (and my memory can be a bit flaky at times so it must be new). As such, in my opinion, movies as new as this demand a decent transfer. Well, you will be pleased to hear that this disc doesn’t disappoint.

The colours are crisp and the picture overall is very clear. There are many scenes with lots of sand (not surprising considered it is filmed in a desert) and I was interested to see how the picture held up. Needless to say the picture remained clear throughout. Although the picture was great I did notice, however, a vertical line down the film in one scene. This only lasts for a few seconds and it’s a shame as the rest of the print is immaculate.

The effects are great. The creature effects are great but I wanted to see more of them, it all seemed a little too fleeting. That aside . . . top marks for great visuals.

Audio

Oooooooo, spooky s*** ! The audio here is extremely eerie. The scenes inside Hamunuptra (the City of the Dead) are amazingly atmospheric. Whispering voices and distant moans made me look around several times, and the scampering of the flesh eating beetles makes you itch. Ok, so I didn’t really believe that there was someone else in the room but the effect was incredibly believable :). The Mummy’s voice is very deep and bassy and sounds evil. The incidental effects are also well done, in fact an all round audio winner.

The movie score is great also. It is eerie and threatening when it needs to be but also livens up to complement the action scenes nicely indeed.

Features

What do we have here? Well as this is a “Collectors Edition” you get the full works. A brief run down sees a documentary, the standard Director’s commentary, Visual & Special Effects information, Music-Only Audio Track (nice), Theatrical Trailers, Egyptology 101 & Deleted Scenes (nothing mind blowing). You also get some DVD-ROM Features for those of us lucky enough to have a DVD drive in our PCs/MACs, nothing majorly special in these though. Whilst the Director’s commentary is as interesting as all others I have heard I would like to see more commentaries featuring the actual actors as well. Still a nice healthy does of extras as you can see, well done Universal once again !

Conclusion

I saw this at the cinema and loved it. On DVD it is even better. It’s basically a cross between Indiana Jones and Dracula all wrapped up in bandages :). Brendan Fraser (of George of the Jungle fame) does a great job as the hero. He is likeable and witty although the character is a little shallow . . . but this is NOT a period drama so this can be forgiven. Rachel Wise is very sha**ble, sorry, likeable as the Evelyn the female lead. Arnold Voslo is great as the villain of the film although I don’t think he actually says anything, at least not in English anyway. He does a good of looking cool though and his head shines beautifully :). The real star of the movie is John Hannah who plays Evelyn’s brother Johnathan. This guy is GREAT. He has all the best lines and all the best scenes. There is one particular scene where the Mummy has just attacked and the hero asks the heroine if she is allright, to which the heroines brother replies “well I’m a little shaken but otherwise ok” (or words similar). Superb stuff.

The action scenes are very well done as well and the final sequence and battle is amazing. I haven`t seen action like this since the Indiana Jones films.

Overall this movie is great and has been given the treatment that it deserves. Top marks for for this highly entertaining romp.

Note : A sequel has been announced . . . I can`t wait :)