1999, 2 hrs 7 minutes, Rated PG-13 for pervasive adventure violence and some (very) partial nudity. Dir: Stephen Sommers. Cast: Brendan Fraser (Rick O'Connell), Rachel Weisz (Evelyn), John Hannah (Jonathan), Arnold Vosloo (Imhotep, a.k.a. The Mummy).

Before going to see The Mummy, know that it never tries to be serious, has some great eye candy, is a roller-coaster (come to think of it, it'll probably be a theme ride at Universal Studios soon) from start to finish, and I would say that it is a "popcorn" flick, except that some of the bug scenes would have had that popcorn coming back up for me. But first a disclaimer...

I may have to see The Mummy again, because the print I saw opening night at the Hollywood 27 in Nashville (with Scott and neighbors Chris and Julie) had serious audio problems. The action seemed to be in stereo, but the dialogue was missing something, as if it was in mono. And, being a big fan of dialogue, we complained afterwards and received free passes to a future film (but not Star Wars, she stressed). She didn't write down the theater number, though, and I think that she already knew, since I told three ushers during the trailers and the first five minutes, and they all headed up front with the information, so she tried to look surprised but wasn't.

Que sera sera...on with the film, an adaptation of the 1932 classic starring the ultimate monster actor, Boris Karloff. The benefit of this one is that George Lucas's special effects company, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), played a big part. The effects were, well, special.

The story: It begins thousands of years ago in the ancient Egyptian city of Hamunaptra, where High Priest Imhotep has a fling with one of Pharaoh's women. Rather than the "Dawson's Creek" version where everyone cries and someone moves out, Imhotep and the female seductress kill Pharaoh, but their plan is foiled when their plans of immortality are ruined, then the two are cursed in the afterlife as well. Thus, Imhotep becomes the scary mummy able to rule the world, inadvertantly unearthed and unleashed thousands of years later by some British intellectuals, American cowboys and Egyptologists.

This was definitely influenced by the Indiana Jones trilogy, seen by the archaeological importance, the date it takes place (1920s), and much of the humor and action. Being that I love the Indiana Jones films, I don't mind someone using them for influence, as long as its done well. The Mummy isn't fantastic, but its a lot of fun, the characters are likeable, and kept me interested throughout.

Brendan Fraser pulled a Keanu-like (i.e. The Matrix) turnaround in being an action hero, and doing it well. Fraser has the right build--about 6'4 and brawny--for the role, so we are drawn in to his heroic deeds, as well as the ability to be playful and worthy of the damsel in distress.

Rachel Weisz, who plays Evelyn, the "damsel", is absolutely stunning to look at. What a smile! What hair, eyes, subtle freckles, cute British accent...! I was transfixed every time she appeared on screen, which luckily was most of the film. Not to mention that the filmmakers prevent her from being fully dressed for half the movie. She could be my goddess. Even better, my muse.

Where The Mummy lost me was 1) in the bugs. I HATE BUGS, and even worse in a picture where they are deadly. There were some gross scenes involving flesh-eating bugs, and closing my eyes didn't prevent the sounds from having me wince. Eeewwwwww. I'd rather have snakes; 2) some of the humor was a bit forced. When it was good, it was great (which was the majority), but some of the slapstick-style funny stuff was insulting to my intelligence. Some great one-liners, though, in the Bruce Willis Die Hard tradition.

My advice for the next archaeologist visiting these tombs: skip the readings from the Book of the Dead and look for the gold instead. And be weary of the guy with no skin who wants to "borrow" your eyes.

The verdict: -- Gross at times, but overall fun action-adventure excitement.