The Bar

The Mummy (1999)

Starring: Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah & Arnold Vosloo

Director: Stephen Sommers

Writer(s): Stephen Sommers Lloyd Fonvielle

Studio: Universal

Rating: PG-13

Official Bar Score: 

An English librarian called Evelyn Carnahan (Weisz) becomes interested in starting an archaeological dig at the ancient city of Hamunaptra. He gains the help of Rick O’Connell (Fraser), after saving him from his death. What Evelyn, her brother Jonathan (Hannah) and Rick is unaware of if that another group of explorers are interested in the same dig. Unfortunately for everyone, this group ends up unveiling a curse which has risen the dead High Priest Imhotep (Vosloo). Now ‘The Mummy’ is awake and it’s going to take a lot more than guns to send him back from where he came from.

This is a great new spin on the classic universal tale of the Mummy. Fraser is very entertaining and reminds me of a modern Indiana Jones, his characters cleverly witted sarcasm and bad attitude really makes the movie that much more brilliant. The starring role of the film really belongs to the special effects though, they were nothing less than phenomenal, in the beginning of the film when the mummy’s faced appeared in the sand, it looked so believable it was scary. I also really enjoyed all the ancient Egypt stuff and buried tombs, I have always been fascinated with Egypt and their beliefs and arts and that made the Mummy a lot of fun for me to watch.

Now you’d think that a story as in depth as The Mummy it would take up half the movie explaining the back story and would need a lot of down time to do that. Well, it didn’t get slow at all and none of the needed details of the story where left out. The action sequences and comedy relief combined with just the right amount of suspense kept me on the edge of my seat through out the entire film. I was actually surprised by how much action was in the film, because every other adaptation of the Mummy was very bland and dull.

The Mummy Returns (2001)

Starring: Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo & The Rock

Director: Stephen Sommers

Writer(s): Stephen Sommers

Studio: Universal

Rating: PG-13

Official Bar Score: 

Many years ago, in Ancient Egypt, the Scorpion Kind (The Rock) led a menacing army, but when he sold his soul to Anubis, he was erased from history. Now he is only a myth…or is he? Rick (Fraser) and Evelyn (Weisz) O’Connell is still discovering new artifacts, along with their 8 year old son Alex (Boath). They discover the Bracelet of Anubis. But someone else is after the bracelet. High Priest Imhotep (Vosloo) has been brought back from the dead once again and wants the bracelet, to control the Scorpion King’s army. That’s not the only problem. Imhotep now has Alex and with the bracelet attached to him, doesn’t have long to live.

I liked this fil better than the first one, there was even more action than before and some really awesome special effects. the story was better and the characters where way more developed and each brought something different to the film. The strong since of who each character is and their roles are vital to a series like this. I’m glad each of them returned for The Mummy Returns. My favorite part of the film, was when the stone mummy’s were awaken and chased Rick and the gang through london and they battled on the tour bus. i thought that they were wild, and I loved how they ran across the sides of buildings. I also really liked the thieves, they were very entertaining and added enough comic relief to keep you laughing during the seriousness of the film.

There are a few things that I didn’t like though, like C.G. Scorpion King played by the Rock. They could of done so much better than that, he looked fake. That wasn’t The Rock’s fault though, so you can’t blame him, I just think it was rushed because the rest of the fx where on point through out the film. Also at what point before Evelyn turned into Imhotep’s ancient girlfriend did she learn how to fight, I remember her being bashful and clumsy in the first film. I guess I’m just nit pickin’ though. It didn’t hurt it’s score at all.

The Scorpion King (2002)

Starring: The Rock, Steven Brand, Michael clarke Duncon & Kelly Hu

Director: Chuck Russell

Writer(s): Stephen Sommers

Studio: Universal

Rating: PG-13

Official Bar Score: 

In an ancient time, predating the pyramids, the evil king Memnon is using the psychic powers of his sorceress Cassandra to foretell his great victories. In a last ditch effort to stop Memnon from taking over the world, the leaders of the remaining free tribes hire the assassin Mathayus to kill the sorceress. But Mathayus ends up getting much more than he bargained for. Now with the help of the trickster Arpid, tribal leader Balthazar and an unexpected ally, it’s up to Mathayus to fulfill his destiny and become the great Scorpion King.

This film is very bad-ass, the Rock is the man, I didn’t think I was going to like this installment of the series because it is a spin off of the Mummy Returns and the C.G. Scorpion King in that was kind of weak. But I seen the Godsmack video for “I stand Alone” and it kind of pumped me up to see the film. I’m glad I did, It had a solid story some really cool characters and some bad ass action sequences.

The Rock was perfect for the old school Conan type, and really shocked me with his acting abilities, If your a fan of the series and haven’t seen this I think that you will like it. It’s very action packed and very entertaining, it even has some comic relief, the only thing I didn’t like was Michael clarke Duncon’s role, that guy can’t act. Another thing is I didn’t buy the main bad guy being such a bad ass, the Rock would walk the dog with that dude.

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