The Mummy (2017)

The Mummy (2017)

Dir: Alex Kurtzman

Well here it is, the film we have all been waiting for. The new Mummy starring Tom Cruise is the opening instalment of the Universal Dark Universe, containing monsters from Dr Jekyll to Frankenstein, all of which operating in the same universe. It is safe to assume that not many anticipated this expanded universe or better yet, whether we wanted it at all. This new action horror film is the directorial debut by the screenwriter of the rejuvenated Star Trek franchise, Alex Kurtzman.

There are a couple of strong points for The Mummy, with the film executing some excellent set pieces, most notably the aeroplane sequence. The sequence was so impressive, it became the main attraction in The Mummy’s marketing push, similar to Tom Cruise’s aeroplane stunt in Rogue Nation. Unfortunately however, positives for this remake come few and far between. The reason for this ultimately rests upon the film’s poor script. The Mummy attempts to combine different facets of other famous genre flicks while never discovering what it ever really wants to be. It opens with sequences akin to Raiders of the Lost Ark, then divulges into zombie like territory and then into an unbearable farce. For long stretches characters simply explain the plot to each other, the prime culprit of this is the character Jenny Halsey (Annabelle Wallis, Peaky Blinders). From the moment she steps on screen, her performance coupled with the pathetic dialogue, sounds no better than fork scraping a plate. After they discover the tomb of the incarcerated Mummy, Halsey drivels on for what feels like an eternity, explaining everything we need to know about this mystical burial.

The Mummy sadly leaves a bitter aftertaste. Announcing itself on the silver screen with a grand project in mind, Alex Kurtzman’s debut feature comes off forced and desperate to compete in the mainstream bracket. As the film reached its thankful climax, it sparked a similarity to the new Ghostbusters remake, both films had the intention to pull off something new but inevitably failed due to an unbalanced screenplay. The Mummy is complete schlock and comes off as a cold project bandaged together through a Universal executive meeting.