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A couple of more looks at THE MUMMY
Hey folks, Harry here with more on UNIVERSAL'S huge THE MUMMY movie. I've received about 11 mini reviews (a line or two) that really seemed to like the film, and then the three reviews you'll see on the site. Plus Moriarty's review from a while back. But I went over to Dark Horizons and saw One extremely negative and one mixed review of the film. Now, I don't know what was going on with the first viewer, but he really seemed to be in a bad mood. I mean, we've all seen cinematography from this film and I don't think a single bad knock on it could come to mind. But hey whatever. He says early on in his review that he thinks they "studio" should have waited another month before testing this film, and perhaps it was that roughness that got him started. Like I said last time, this was an EXTREMELY rough test screening of the film that was longer than the print we'll see, with zero finished FX and temp tracked sound and non-color timed print. It won't get much more rough than this print. I imagine we won't hear about another screening for another month or so as they finish up more work on it. But as for now, we have these two very positive reviews.... So take the balance between the two sets of reviews here and at Dark Horizon and hang loose, this is a project that there's still alot to do. I can tell ya this though... I know for a fact that the stuff they are doing to the 'main' Mummy at ILM will be unlike anything we've seen before, and until that stuff is on screen... I'm holding my breath...
Howdy Harry "Mephibosheth" here, just thought I'd drop you a note
concerning one of this summer's OTHER SFX extravaganzas, THE MUMMY.
Isn't it amazing we get a new Star Wars movie AND and Indiana Jones type
adventure and a Kubrick movie in the same summer. WOW can't wait.
I really enjoyed the hell out of this movie. Sure it wasn't perfect,
and I would tell people not to go expecting Casablanca or Citizen Kane
or Ben-Hur. Hell don't go expecting to see Indy because while it's that
type of movie it's different too. More along the lines, I'd say of
Temple of Doom then Raiders or Last Crusade simply because of the
supernatural/horror elements rather then the supernatural/religious
elements. Now has been pointed out earlier hardly any of ILM's usually
suburb work was done(I say usually suburb because of JACK
FROST*shudder*) In fact there were parts where you could still see the
plastic on the Mummy's face where SFX would be inserted. Can't gauge on
music as most of the music they used was from WILLOW(a guilty pleasure
of mine...yes I'll admit that) Acting was alright, nothing to write
home about....Brendan's been better(GOD'S AND MONSTERS)but he's been
worse too(ENCINO MAN), he did what he was supposed to do though and that
was create a likable hero who gets the girl, a more realistic hero then
say Alan Quatermain. John Hannah was good as Jonathan. As for Rachel
Weisz, well I can't compare her work in this to any of her other work
because well frankly I haven't seen any of her other work. The only
movie that rang a bell was CHAIN REACTION but I didn't see that so...
And the Mummy...well Arnold Vosloo's portrayal of Imhotep was dead
on(pun intended). A different mummy then Boris Karloff's but soon to be
a classical as well
The direction was good. I've enjoyed Stephen Sommers's work in the past
and what he did for the monster B-movie in DEEP RISING(which I enjoyed)
he did for the classic monster movie here, modernized it(and I don't
mean setting it 1999) while keeping the classic feel to it. The writing
could have been better but no one is comparing Sommers to David Mammet
so I'll let it slide. Could have done without some of the one-liners
though(especially notable was Brendan's line after he cuts off the
Mummy's right arm and then the Mummy throws him with with his(the
Mummy's)left arm Brendan quips "he must be left handed")
Overall a fun time in the ole cineplex, check it out especially if you
get bored waiting in line for Ep 1 or need a break between multiple
showings of Ep 1
On a side note I'd like to tell your readers about a bill recently
introduced in the US Senate concerning filmmakers by Sen. Ben
Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado. The bill would allow National Parks to
charge filmmakers to use the land; Sen. Campbell said, quote, "...it
makes no sense to let the national parks be used for commercial purposed
for free". I cannot think of a bigger mistake. Sure a big studio like
WARNERS or Universal can absorb that kind of cost but what about the
indie filmmaker or the documantarian who CANNOT absorb that kind of
cost. The bill was introduced Tues and is S. 338, a complete look at
the bill can be accessed by going to http://www.congress.gov/
"Mephibosheth"
And here is the second review....
I was among the lucky viewers to get a sneak peak at Universal's THE MUMMY
remake last night outside LA. I had seen the commercial and heard the good
buzz on this site, but it didn't prepare me for what was to come.
The film is a light-hearted play on RAIDERS, with tons of visual fx (most
unfinished, but what were were pretty spectacular) and a rousing storm.
Brendan Frasier is highly likable as the adventurer and his heroine sidekick
(whose name escapes me) had this big, irresistible eyes. Anyway, the story
kicks right off with action scenes and a face with a gaping mouth that forms
in the sand tyring to swallow Frasier. From there, things just get better.
Once the mummy comes to CGI-life (and it's no surprise Universal wants to
keep
him a secret til the flick opens - great stuff ILM!) all hell breaks loose,
literally, as the 10 plagues are inflicting on Egypt. These include
locusts,
bugs, boils and fiery hail from the heavens.
The ending turns into a non-stop action sequence as Frasier fends off an
attacking horde of reanimated mummies, all done CGI and in an obvious homage
to Ray Harryhausen and the 7th Voyage of Sinbad that never feels cheap.
ANyway, the movie's a lot of fun and should pull in some serious bucks
before
that Star Wars movie I keep hearing about (what's it called again?) comes
out.
A faithful viewer -
The Gregor
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While the National Parks cannot directly charge filmmakers, their regulations concerning filming still manage to require reimbursement, but are worded carefully enough so as to not equate the money handed over as an actual "fee" or "payment". At least, that's the impression I got after pouring over their very long document with filming information. Depending on the size of the crew, the filmmaker is also responsible for paying the required ranger(s) in attendence and is allowed (under certain, strict circumstances) to feed the rangers. While I don't think their regulations are at all unreasonable, they are confusing and do end up costing the indie filmmaker a fairly hefty sum of money. Oh, well. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
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While I fully stand up for Harry's rights to like and even hype up whatever films he pleases (after all when it all comes down to it it's his site), to critique another persons review of The Mummy (from another site no less) is both elitist and morally reprehensible. You can't, and should *never* tell other people that their opinions on films are wrong, because they aren't. Everyone has an equal right to love or loathe any film that comes along and for Harry to start throwing around reasons as to why the reviewers on Dark Horizons are wrong or in error or could have made a mistake due to their 'mood' (where you there Harry? How can you judge someone's modd on the net of all places? Take a look at Hallenbeck's vitriolic reviews for example, you don't assume anything about his mood in your preamble to them) is just plain pitiful, even more so given the fact that Harry hasn't seen the film himself. Sure maybe The Mummy will be great, maybe it'll suck and maybe it'll just be another entertaining diversion, but whatever the case may be thats up to each of us to decide for ourselves when we see it. It reminds me of the whole Godzilla/Lost In Space/Armageddon/Insert Name Here films that Harry hypes to the point of bursting and where more often than not the end result is very disappointing (on a side note I've got no problem with Harry loving Armageddon or Godzilla or whatever the hell else, but when he changes his opinion after the masses scream foul that is kind of pathetic, speak the truth and stand up for yourself Harry, that way you can't go wrong). All I really wanted to say I guess is that it's fine to give opinions but don't act like your opinions are any better than anyone elses Harry, because like it or not in the world of film fandom everyone has their own *very strong* viewpoints on things like this and the worst, and most alienating thing that you can do is to presume to interpret anothers viewpoints on such matters. Judge for yourself, give your opinion and allow others to freely express theirs, thats the way it should be...at least in my opinion. Just my two cents worth.
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I can't help but recall Hopper's big line from "A Bug's Life": "First rule of leadership: EVERYTHING is your fault!" Keep on keepin' on, Harry. Don't let the grasshoppers get to ya.
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I just thought I ought to let you guys know that over here in the UK, the Times newspaper ran a feature on Saturday about the films to see and the films to avoid at all costs in 1999.......naturally StarWars ep 1 was their choice for biggest film of the year, but the Mummy was put in the "avoid" column, saying that it was just a tired re-hash of the old Boris Karloff movie. Now, whilst this may be true, I think that everyone who has seen the trailer will agree that there's gonna be more to this film than simply a man wrapped in bandages walking slowly with his arms outstretched.
The point that I'm making is that although I was hesitant of this film, after I saw the trailer for it, I was completely hyped (same goes for Matrix, and to a lesser extent, WWW).....still, I think that the press and the media is going to have to have ONE special fx-laden movie to lay into so that they can say "this is so bad, compared to star wars" or whatever the film is...............I am worried for the Mummy, as I feel already that it's going to become the media scapegoat for this summer, and I think that those people involved with the movie should be conscious of this, and take whatever measures are necessary to avoid this from happening (Rant over) -
I just have one question. The first reviewer wrote: "Now has been pointed out earlier hardly any of ILM's usually suburb work was done(I say usually suburb because of JACK FROST*shudder*)" What difference does it make whether they did the effects in the suburbs or in the inner city? As long as it looks good, who the hell cares where they did the effects?
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It should be obvious that this confusion began when H.H.M. never learned to spell. What he meant was "superb," but then again he's still in kindergarten, so cut him some slack.
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That you for placing yourself in charge of the obvious there, dipshit. The man (woman?) was making a joke. A damn funny one at that.
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My Dear Mephibosheth, I actually agreed 100% with 99% of your comments, so disregard my previous post's snottiness as a mere satire of the usual TalkBack venom. THE MUMMY should kick major butt; I only wish I was 12 again so that I could experience it with all the childlike wonder as "a modern classic," since kids today have no Indy masterpieces to call their own. I've loathed all of Stephen Sommer's previous trailers (e.g., The Jungle Book and Deep Rising), but the actual movies wind up surprisingly enjoyable. Guess that's a tribute to Disney's loathsome marketing nitwits. Now that SS has switched over to Universal, he's getting the benefit of vastly improved advertising campaigns.
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The alternative is simply for film makers to film some place other than a National Park. For instance if you want the desert towers look there are hundreds of places in Southern Utah that aren't in Arches, Canyonlands, or Zions. The problem is just a lack of creativity on the director's part.
Not that I plan on telling anyone where the other spectacular places are! I like to do my climbing and hiking in peace.
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