The Mummy (1999)

The Mummy is one of those adventure movies that knows it’s a bit ridiculous and has a blast anyway. Brendan Fraser plays Rick O'Connell, a roguish explorer with just the right mix of charm and smartassery, and he’s honestly the reason this movie works so well. Set in 1920s Egypt, the plot zips around cursed tombs, plagues, and undead priests, but it never feels like it’s taking itself too seriously.

What really sticks with me is how perfectly paced it is. The first act moves quickly without feeling rushed, letting you care about the characters (shoutout to Rachel Weisz for making Evelyn genuinely lovable). By the time everyone gets to Hamunaptra and the chaos erupts, you’re already invested, so the bigger action set pieces actually land instead of just being noise.

It’s also way funnier than it has any right to be. There are so many quotable lines and little physical comedy bits that still hold up. The script gives its leads room to play, and the chemistry between Fraser and Weisz is surprisingly sweet. John Hannah as the comic relief brother can get a bit grating, but it works about 80% of the time.

The effects are a funny mixed bag. Some of the CGI is delightfully late-90s (the scarab beetles are weirdly memorable), but the practical sets and creature work have aged better than I expected. The big Imhotep moments look dated now, but honestly? It adds to the pulpy charm instead of taking away from it.

I do think the emotional stakes could be a little sharper. There’s a love story and some “world-ending” danger, but it never hits as hard as, say, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. It’s more popcorn than pathos, but when popcorn is this well-made, who cares?

Twenty-plus years later, The Mummy is still perfect rainy-day viewing. It’s breezy, goofy, and a bit nostalgic, with just enough edge to keep it interesting. Don’t overthink it—just enjoy the ride.