THE MUMMY
Tom Cruise stars in this spectacular version of the legend that has fascinated cultures all over the world since the dawn of civilization: The Mummy. Thought safely entombed deep beneath the desert, an ancient princess (Sofia Boutella) whose destiny was unjustly taken from her is awakened in our current day. Her malevolence has grown over millennia and with it come terrors that defy human comprehension. From the sands of the Middle East through modern day London, The Mummy balances wonder, thrills, and imagination.
Director: Alex Kurtzman
Writers: David Koepp (screenplay by), Christopher McQuarrie (screenplay by), Dylan Kussman (screenplay by)
Stars: Tom Cruise, Sofia Boutella, Annabelle Wallis
Rating: 4.5 / 10 Stars
REVIEW – This has to be one summer that I feel Hollywood would love to rethink. The game plan was for sequels, superheroes and popular names to dominate the ticket sales. The reality was that critics and fans were starting to throw in the towels. “ Wonder Woman” was the winner of a rather dismal summer. The casualties were the bigger story. Where Hollywood is always leaning on the Summer to help them recoup for the first two quarters, this time around it feels like they are hedging their bets on the fourth quarter as the savior of a year that has to go down as the year the fans struck back. “ The Mummy” is a film that Universal wants to begin their “ Universal Monsters” Universe upon. Where other studios have opted to use superheroes, Universal is wanting to go a different route. By all means, this film should have delivered. I feel the question of, “ Do we need another Mummy movie”, was weighing heavy on many horror fans hearts. When the rumors started to surface about the troubled shoot, is when fans really decided then and there that they did not really need another film. Tom Cruise has become one of those actors that reports indicate wields his power on movie sets. The rumors are that Cruise and the director had many clashes on where the material was going, and how his character would come across. If your supporting cast are watching you get your way with the director, chances are they will not be happy with what they are given. That is where we will start this review. I hate that the reviewing of a film has to rely heavily upon the negatives.
I get that people are unhappy in their own skin. I also get that a new generation of fan has emerged the kind that has to dissect and take the fun out of everything. In almost a way, that they feel they are above the experience. “ The Mummy” is a troubled film that offers very little in terms of entertainment. The special effects in this film are fair. I would have expected a lot more for what they wanted to achieve. They are trying to shove so much into this film that it is pretty evident that they are thinking long term goals instead of the short one of making this film more cohesive and easier to go along with. The way the females are portrayed in this film is both unfair and bottom line sexist. “ Wonder Woman” showcased that you can have a strong female character that does not have to take second chair to a male. The last half hour of this film is fun, and I would dare to say saved it from being a total waste of time. Tom Cruise is great in his action films. He is a great stunt person. He should jump out of more high buildings. I think Universal needs directors unlike Kurtzman who will stand their ground and stand behind their vision. I would understand if the studio interfered, but an actor? This film is uneven, the pacing is all over the place and the script feels like it was compromised at least twice. This film could be seen as Universal’s “ Fantastic Four” of 2017. Hopefully, Tom Cruise will rebound from this, the people who put money into it though are the true victims. Universal are going to have to rethink their whole marketing plan for 2018. Unless you have more “ Fast and Furious” shit coming out that idiots flock to go see.
THE MUMMY | Official Trailer:
