By: Shaun

One thing that I am thankful of is that Mathew Broderick did not star in this film, or in any other film since "Godzilla", as an action hero. His atrocious facial expressions of confusion and menial performance is absurd, I only pray he never pulls another stunt like that again, especially after his amazing performance in "Election". I much prefer his tranquil and mellow acting. Now back to the topic at hand. Brendan Fraser does make a good action hero, he has bravery and a beastly vitality in his eye. He can show you a rollicking good time, filled with high velocity action and more then enough thrills. Most failed action stars play like they are in a trance, or too tired to work, they give a bullshit act (Ahem-Arnold, Sly, Segal), but Fraser acts experienced in this area. A man with colossal strength, and extremely trigger happy. Although the acting is not this films cornerstone, Fraser has now proven he is able to carry a film. Filled with cheesy dialogue and lots of kick ass action, gore, and chases, with a few wicked chills, "The Mummy" guarantees a good time. It is relentless in letting you off it’s ride of stimulating action which acclimates to the grand finale battle of mummy’s. A high octane action extravaganza that packs a wallop. It is royally entertaining and more then enduring, but how much can you expect from the director of the catastrophe "Deep Rising". If gun battles are your fetish, then this is the film for you, it had so many I lost count, when the guns weren’t blazing, the mummy was. Just the creature itself was very high tech, cool, and inventive, looked similar to a skeletal pirate. The computer animated graphics were astonishing, the mummy’s body movements was nicely done, not only that, but the sand rising, and faces emerging from it were quite inventive. It is one wild roller coaster with a battleground of endless possibilities, the desert, in 1923. The plot was not so ludicrous, but you did not care if it was, for it dwells more on the eye candy then it’s epithet. With this movie the summer blockbusters have began, people should go into this movie expecting one, and do not try to take it seriously. It is a full throttled crowd pleasure. A thrill-a-minute film that will leave you breathless after each action sequence. This film does have a few gaps and flaws, such as it is way too repetitive in it’s scenes, and some of the actors seem washed up and fake. The dialogue is extremely corny, but I am trying not to be too judgmental. This is for those fans of adventurous movies with enjoyment from beginning to end.

The basic plot goes like this. A very long time ago, a high priest of Osiris (Arnold Vosloo) has an affair with the Pharos untouchable wife. After the two lovers murder the Pharo, they are both mummified. This high priest performs rituals of bringing back the dead, and legend has it, if his box is broken through, his murdering habits will never stop. His plan was to live immortally with his lover, once she commits suicide, he will resurrect her, and thus they will love happily ever after. His plans get spoiled once the Pharos henchmen stop this ritual, and transform the two into mummy’s, and in their caskets lie flesh eating bugs whom make you deteriorate slowly and painfully. Hamenotra is the city in which all these events occur, and now in the year 1923, gold is said to be hidden there under the sands where evil lies. An explorer of this mystical city is Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser), this cowboy is on the hunt for treasure, and excitement. His back stabbing little weasel friend/enemy is Beni, his role is vital, but he plays the villain you love to hate, his character appears many times later on in the film. After O’Connell discovers the evil of Hamenotra, he is imprisoned for supposedly having a good time.

 Three years later a librarian called Evelyn (Rachael Weisz), is another big follower of this hidden city, as is her brother Jonathan (John Hannah), and once he finds a map for the forbidden city, they begin an expedition to find the lost treasures. All they need is a guide, and that is when death row prisoner O’Connell comes in, Rachael promises the head officer twenty five percent of all the treasures they find if they set O’Connell free. He complies and the adventure begins with great high pursuing action.

There is another expedition of Americans out there to seek the gold as well, led by Beni, the two teams rival each other on who will get there first. This film also has a lot of humor and laughter invested in it. Although the film may be boring when the action is delayed, the special effects make up for it. Some of the characters seemed unnecessary and dumb, but they are needed for victims in the mummy’s wrath. The whole ten plague act out was very cool and well done, as was the sword fights and creepy creatures. This film does satisfy those needy for a good time at the movies, if you want some spice in your film, then this movie is for you. Once again, if you are not into these senseless and unrealistic fantasies, then you might not love this movie, but it is hard not to enjoy it. So go on and indulge yourself in a adrenaline pumping thrill ride.