Despite mixed reviews upon release, The Mummy became a commercial hit in 1999. It kicked off a short-lived franchise and is now considered a cult classic. For me, it came at just the right time, I was deep in an Egyptology obsession, and it remains one of my favourite films to this day.
Story
You were actually at Hamunaptra?
Evelyn Carnahan, on asking Rick for help
The Mummy follows English librarian Evelyn Carnahan (Rachel Weisz), who is searching for the legendary Book of the Dead. Alongside her charming but troublemaking brother Jonathan (John Hannah), she rescues Rick O’Connell (Brendan Fraser), a roguish soldier who claims to know the location of Hamunaptra, the lost city where the book lies buried.
They’re not the only ones interested in the ruins. A rival group of American treasure hunters, guided by Rick’s former associate Beni (Kevin J. O’Connor), are also on the trail. But when both groups begin their excavation, they unwittingly awaken Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo), an ancient high priest cursed to eternal torment. Resurrected, Imhotep sets out to drain the life from those who desecrated his tomb, rebuild his body, and resurrect his forbidden lover Anck-su-Namun (Patricia Velasquez), with Evelyn as the chosen vessel for her soul.
Characters
According to you and my brother, it’s called borrowing.
Evelyn, justifying her actions
The story is pulpy, smart, and tightly written, with characters that wear their tropes proudly. Rachel Weisz shines as Evelyn: clumsy, bookish, but fiercely intelligent and brave. John Hannah brings comic relief and chaotic energy as Jonathan, a thief with a heart of gold. Brendan Fraser plays Rick with the perfect blend of charm and sarcasm, a swashbuckling hero who feels right at home in this mix of horror, adventure, and comedy.
Even the side characters; including Beni’s snivelling opportunism, the stoic Medjai warrior Ardeth Bay (Oded Fehr), and the doomed Americans; all contribute to a strong ensemble that’s easy to root for (or against).
Visual Effects and Direction
I loved the whole sand wall trick. It was beautiful. Bastard.
Beni, talking about Imhotep’s powers
The effects still hold up remarkably well. The Mummy strikes a fine balance between practical and visual effects: rolling sandstorms, swarms of flesh-eating scarabs, collapsing temples, and armies of undead all come to life in ways that remain visually satisfying.
Perhaps most impressive is Imhotep himself, introduced as a skeletal, half-rotted corpse. As he drains his victims, he slowly regenerates, becoming more human as the film progresses. In an era when digital effects were still in their infancy, this was very ambitious, and yet it still looks impressive today.
The film’s pacing is also one of its biggest strengths. It moves briskly from one set piece to another, never lingering too long, but still takes the time for moments of tension and character development between the sand storms and gunslinging.
Tone and Genre
Hey, Beni! Looks to me like you’re on the wrong side of the river!
Rick, to Beni after the ship they are on is destroyed.
The Mummy is an old-school adventure film with ’90s spectacle. While Indiana Jones is clearly an inspiration, this film carves out its own identity through its unique blend of action, comedy, and horror. It’s an unlikely mix, but it works thanks to a solid script, charismatic cast, and confident direction by Stephen Sommers.
The chemistry between characters fuels a lot of the humour, particularly the bickering between Rick and Beni, and nearly every scene involving Jonathan. But the comedy never undercuts the stakes. The action sequences are thrilling, with some choreography reminiscent of Indiana Jones or even Jackie Chan films. And while this isn’t a gorefest, The Mummy still knows how to be scary. The slow reveal of the decaying Imhotep and the suspenseful chase scenes that follow, provide genuine horror moments that still hit today.
Legacy
Death is only the beginning.
Evelyn and Imhotep
The film spawned a short-lived franchise, bringing Imhotep back for The Mummy Returns, which I also remember fondly. That was followed by The Scorpion King, a prequel that introduced a new protagonist but never quite matched the quality of the originals.
In 2017, Universal attempted a reboot starring Tom Cruise as part of their planned “Dark Universe”, a shared cinematic universe of horror reboots inspired by the MCU. Unfortunately, the film was poorly received, and the universe collapsed before it even got started. Like many others, I gave the reboot a miss after the reviews made it clear it lacked the charm of the original.
Conclusion
What… How… Oh, look at this! Sons of the pharaohs! Give me frogs! Flies! Locusts! Anything but you! Compared to you, the other plagues were a joy!
Dr. Bey, talking about Evelyn
It may not be perfect, but it has heart, humour, and a thrilling sense of adventure. For fans of pulp fiction, creature features, or anyone who secretly wanted to be an archaeologist growing up, The Mummy is a must-watch.
