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With its recent arrival on HBO Max, it feels like the perfect time to revisit The Mummy trilogy as it is unearthed by a new generation of fans. 1999’s The Mummy, which launched Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz to superstardom, was an irresistible mix of action, humor, and theatrical scares that paid homage to its Universal Monsters heritage. Not only are we about to get The Mummy 4 with the two stars returning, but we’re also getting Lee Cronin’s The Mummy. Let’s go back in time to uncover just what made the original trilogy so memorable.

Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz’s The Mummy Trilogy Revived the Spirit of Classic Universal Monsters

The Mummy originally found success as part of Universal Studios’ classic monster universe. Six films ran from 1932-55, most famously with Boris Karloff and Lon Chaney Jr in the title roles. As the world stood on the cusp of a new millennium, the franchise was rebooted as an action-adventure by director Stephen Sommers. Set in the 1920s, Weisz stars as Evelyn Carnahan, a librarian and aspiring Egyptologist who is on the trail of the lost city of Hamunaptra, having discovered a map in the hands of former soldier Rick O’Connell (Fraser). Teaming up to find the fabled book of Amun-Ra, they inadvertently awaken the cursed mummy Inhotep (Arnold Vosloo), and find themselves in a fight to stop him taking over the world.

The film managed to embrace the spirit of the Universal Monster movies, while also being able to add a modern twist. That sense of mystery, danger, and ominous destiny is combined with humor and elaborate set pieces that made the most of cutting-edge CGI effects. Our heroes were still exploring mysterious caves in far-flung corners of the world, but rather than simply screaming at the horrors they found, they embarked on a swashbuckling adventure that combined Evelyn’s wits and Rick’s daring, along with some comedic moments from John Hannah as Evelyn’s inept brother, Jonathan. A smash hit at the box office, it became a beloved tale for a generation of movie fans.

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The sequel, 2003’s The Mummy Returns, introduced Hollywood to a future megastar in Dwayne Johnson, who played The Scorpion King, an ancient leader who draws the trio into another quest. In 2008, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor took the action to Asia, to solve a mystery linked to the famous Terracotta Army, and the ancient Dragon Emperor (Jet Li). The sequels added the character of Alex O’Connell, Rick and Evelyn’s son, who joins them on their adventures, displaying a satisfying mix of both of his parents’ qualities. Together, the trilogy thrives on taking the audience on a ride that offers a little bit of everything you need from a blockbuster.

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At the heart of the action are Fraser and Weisz, whose immediate chemistry on screen provided the foundation for the trilogy’s success. As Evelyn, future Oscar winner Weisz presented a different type of female hero. An academic who wasn’t as reckless as Rick, she nonetheless held her own in a variety of situations, becoming more than a mere damsel in distress as she provided the brains to O’Connell’s brawn.

In Rick, Fraser’s boundless on-screen charisma was allowed to shine through. His mixture of gruff comedy and physicality made him an Indiana Jones for the 21^st century, as he found a way to get the group out of their latest life-threatening moment. He has the steely stare of a matinee idol, but with enough self-aware goofiness to cut through any pomposity, capturing the tone of the movie perfectly. His casual nature clashed beautifully with Weisz upper-class British demeanor, and the fun didn’t end when their eventual romance started.

‘The Mummy 4’ Starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz Is on the Way

Image via Universal Pictures

27 years on from the first movie, The Mummy trilogy still stands out among the biggest franchises because of its focus on entertainment, and the joyful way it tells its story. For many years, audiences have been used to franchises that build to a very dark, world-ending crescendo which combines hours of previous installments. While that has its place, The Mummy films seem refreshing in the way they encourage you to have fun.

The banter, stunts, and puzzles were at the forefront of the movie, with Sommers and his cast unafraid to blend in a little silliness with the scares, or balance a moment of action with a flush of old-fashioned romance. It has all the things we historically look for in a big-scale movie, leaving you with a smile on your face as the lights come up in the theater. Rob Cohen took over directing duties for Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, but retained the winning formula that Sommers crafted.

It won’t be long until the O’Connells are discovering new artifacts, as a fourth Mummy adventure is in development with a planned 2028 release date, and the original cast returning. This year will also see a darker take on the legend with Lee Cronin’s The Mummy, but it’s the legacy of the first three films that remains eternal. Reminding us of the comfort of following not-so-perfect heroes on the expedition of a lifetime, they are proof that some adventures never lose their magic — they just wait patiently to be rediscovered.

Release Date

May 7, 1999

Runtime

124 minutes