The Mummy

Maybe liking this movie had something to do with the fact that this was the best day I've had in a while, or maybe I just don't want to believe that it was as good as it was.

Before I get into the movie, I'd like to discuss one of the trailers shown before the movie. Besides The Phantom Menace (which was shown as well, and it still sends me into seizures of delight). It's a new movie that's designed to look like the latest Julia Roberts vehicle, but I'm pretty sure it isn't. It's called Notting Hill, it stars Hugh Grant and the afore-mentioned Ms. Roberts. Sounds bad, huh? I'm betting it's not. You know why? It was written by Richard "I am too cool to be this anonymous" Curtis, of Black Adder and Mr Bean infamy. The last two Richard Curtis movies, by the way, were "Bean" (which was pretty good) and "Four Weddings & A Funeral" (which is absolutely hysterical), the two highest-grossing foreign movies. Ever.

The television spots for it make it look like an insipid, B-version of an inspipid Tom Hanks movie. But the longer theatrical trailer showed it for what it really is: biting satire with a bit of romance thrown in. The movie is being promoted to the totally wrong crowd. I think the housewives who go see this will leave totally disappointed and befuddled, and the intelligent set will miss out on it due to poor advertising. But anyway...

The Mummy.

I was expecting a mediocre-at-best movie. One of those things you forget about five minutes after you leave the cinema. You know the type I'm talking about. But then it started.

This is a film you cannot view with the same mindset you would view, say, "Trainspotting". Nope. Totally different film. In some parts, you've just got to go with the movie and overlook certain ridiculous aspects. But The Mummy is just so cool, it could make the whole two hours on enthusiasm (of everyone involved in the film, it seems) and special effects. Speaking of special effects, this is one of the few movies in recent memory that actually was propelled by having fantasic special effects.

The Mummy takes place in a world where rounds of ammo last as long as the script needs them to last, in a world where the good guys always win, and in a world where the coolest guy gets the sweetest girl. It's a great ADVENTURE movie, and I would love to see more movies like this instead of nth generation "Die Hard" rip-offs or end-of-the-world disaster "epics".

While you're waiting for Episode One, go see The Mummy. I think you'll enjoy yourself.

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Michael Keegan
5.8.1999