[Gothmogxx]

The Mummies Hand

Outstanding! Now this is what the other one should have been like.

I loved this one a lot. Good old classic Universal horror film: Even scraping the bottom of the barrel is tough here because there's nothing I really feel that I had an issue with, even on a minor scale.

I think its biggest strength, something no other Mummy movie has ever done, is to blend so many different genres together. The 1999 one comes the closest, with horror and action thrown into the mix. But this one has both of those combined with some brilliant humour.

The set up is perfect: I love how the dying priest passes on his role of preserving Kharis. Footage from the first was clearly re-used (and far less of the violent stuff was present). But this Mummy... They set him up as a genuine threat here, far more so than Imhotep, by explaining that if he drinks enough of the fluid from the tana leaves, then he becomes an all powerful demon basically.

Then you get the archaeologists Steve and Babe: they're amazing as a duo. Steve is the stereotypical hero and he does a good job. Babe is amazing though and the vast bulk of the humour comes in scenes involving his character. Normal moments which would otherwise be dull are brightened up by his presence. Then they meet the magician (he's also quite funny) during a funny fight scene with some people in a pub. Then they meet his daughter and they go off to discover the tomb.

Kharis of course comes to life and the build up beforehand is great: the sound of the howling before and after Kharis stalks the camp adds a lot of suspense. This is how Universal horror films are done.

I imagine most people have seen it already but there is something different in this one which is very noticeable, especially when comparing it to the 1999 version. I will hide it as a spoiler

SPOILER:

So in the 1999 version basically everybody that knows about Imhotep make it their primary concern to keep him from ever waking up. They also fear him. Not here: the priest uses him as a weapon to kill off people that discover the tomb. In addition, the priest uses him to kidnap the daughter character because he wants to make her immortal to live with him. That's pretty dark for someone who is supposed to be just keeping people away from the tomb. The Medjai, as inexcusably bad as they are at their job keeping Imhotep hidden away in the 1999 and 2001 Mummy films, never tried any of this on Evelyn

How on earth is the 1932 one regarded as superior to this? This is now my second favourite Universal Monster film (Bride of Frankenstein takes the top spot for those wondering) and I can't wait for the sequels. Kharis is a great monster.

I have been sitting here debating whether to give this a 9 or a 10 for for several minutes now.

I'm gonna give it a 10/10. First viewing sure, maybe i'll change my mind the second time but this is at the very least worth a 9.