Film Title: The Mummy
Release Date: 1999
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 124 minutes
Region Coding: Region Free
Studio: Universal
Audio Formats: DTS:X
High Dynamic Range: HDR (HDR10)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Formats Available: 4K UHD Blu-ray
Versions Available: 4K Blu-rayor 4K Ultimate Trilogy
Director:Stephen Sommers
Cast:Brendan Fraser,Rachel Weisz,Arnold Vosloo,John Hannah,Kevin J. O’Connor
The Movie
The Movie“The Mummy” was one of the first summer launchesUniversal ever released (i.e. on an early May release date). The story, a remake of the original 1930’s film, sees us initially travel back to Thebes, Egypt, specifically in the year 1290 BC. It’s here that we met Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo),a high priest who has been carrying on a love affair with the mistress of Pharaoh Seti I. This affair leads to Anck-su-Namun killing herself, in hopes that Imhotep will resurrect her. Before he’s able to do this, Imhotep is mummified, buried alive with flesh-eating scarab beetles.
We flesh forward to modern time, in 1923 where we meet Rick O’Connell (Brendan Fraser), who is fresh off discovering the city of the dead, Hamunaptra. A map leading to this city is stolen by Jonathan (John Hannah), who gives the map and secret box to his sister, Evelyn (Rachel Weisz) playing off that he discovered the map. The two soon are re-united with Rick, who agrees to lead the pair to the city if he’s released from prison. What results is a very entertaining film, that has a bit of another treasure hunter in it via “Indiana Jones.”
One of the strongest aspects of“The Mummy”, is the wonderful score by the lateJerry Goldsmith. From the opening credits, he uses a wide range of horns to bring in that ‘large scale’ action/adventure theme. In particular, I’ve always enjoyed his theme he created for ‘Imhotep.’ A sense of fear, but also a sort of wonder element to this creature as while he may seem ‘evil’ at first glance, all he wants is to get his love back.Goldsmith captures all of this with perfection.
Movie Rating: 4.5(out of 5)
Video Quality
Video QualityAccording to the technical specifications on IMDb, the first film “The Mummy“, presented in the 2:35:1aspect ratio, was shot on 35MM film using the Panavision Panaflex Platinum camera with Panavision Primo and C-Series Lenses.
For a film almost 20 years old,“The Mummy” looks excellent. Detail pops off the screen, whether it be the old libraries Evie works in, or the lush yellows and golds of the backgrounds of Egypt. Facial detail, like that of fleshtones, impress equally. HDR (high dynamic range) via HDR10 is top notch, especially for that of a catalogue title. Shadow detail is near perfect, black levels shine with no evidence of crush or smearing of any color. Grain is kept in tact, with no notice of DNR or any other image scrubbing. Lastly, in comparison to theBlu-ray, this 4K presentation blows it out of the water.
Video Quality Rating: 4.5 (out of 5)
Audio Quality
Audio QualityAudio here on the 4K UHD Blu-ray is in theDTS:X immersive sound format. Just worth noting that the standard Blu-ray Disc version contained DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio, in comparison. That core is still there in the DTS:X for those who don’t have height speakers to experience the “:X” part. It just goes back to a DTS-HD 7.1 MA core, and if needed then essentially a DTS core.
Dialogue, as one would expect, is wonderfully reproduced via the center channel. Surrounds are quite active throughout. Whether it be the horns and trumpets of the aforementioned score byJerry Goldsmith, or the constant gunfire once Imhotep is awoken. Little effects, like that of the wind during Imhotep’s sandstorm, or an airplane zipping by, help create a truly effective aural experience. With this being one of my favorite films (i.e. read popcorn flicks) as a kid, I was pleased to seeUniversal treat this one with a top notch track.
Audio Quality Rating: 4.5 (out of 5)
Bonus Materials
Bonus Materials- A Digital Copy of the film is included, which is compatible with iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Prime Video and more via UltraViolet. You redeem this with a code on paper insert in the various forms of packaging.
The 4K UHD Blu-ray includes no bonus materials what-so-ever, aside from subtitles and audio tracks in a few other languages. TheBlu-ray Disc of the film iswhere the bonus contents are to be found.
On the Blu-ray Disc you will find the following:
- Audio Commentary with Director/Writer Stephen Sommers and Editor Bob Ducsay
- Audio Commentary with Actor Brendan Fraser
- Audio Commentary with Actor Oded Fehr, Kevin J. O’Connor, and Arnold Vosloo
- Visual and Special Effects Formation (SD)
- An Army to Rule the World (SD, 4:02)
- Unraveling the Legacy of The Mummy (SD, 8:07)
- Building A Better Mummy (SD, 49:55)
- A Storyboard to Film Comparison (SD)
- Deleted Scenes (SD, 2:21)
Overall, you get no new bonus materials added here, obviously. Still these prove to be entertaining, informative, and such, especially if you’ve never seen them before. Plus, the inclusion of a HD (Blu-ray Disc) physical version and Digital Copy are nice as well. It’s sadly just not a whole lot in comparison to most ‘catalog’ titles to come to 4K. Some new content would have been nice for fans (like myself) of the film, that have owned it on many home video formats over the years. There’s a reason that these supplemental set of materials do seem recycled, and that reason is: because they are.
Bonus Materials Rating: 2 (out of 5)
Closing Thoughts
“The Mummy” in 1999 served as not just a reboot but also revival of the franchise, that continued on for two more films – which I’ll be covering next individually just as this film – and eventually spawned a 2017 reboot; reviving “The Mummy” franchise for a near two decade span. I’m rather a fan of this franchise, so expect the two sequels soon.
This proves to be a very impressive 4K release for the first film in the reboot of “The Mummy” franchise. You get both impressive visuals in 4K (with HDR) and DTS:X immersive sound, as well as the Blu-ray/DVD bonus materials all ported over.
Lastly, it’s worth noting here that the individual releases are available like this for “The Mummy” franchise films from Universal, as well as the 2017 version, but it’s most important to emphasize that there is a box set on 4K UHD Blu-ray that has 3 of the films in the franchise called “The Mummy Ultimate Trilogy.” This is a much more affordable choice for most consumers if they enjoy all three of the films in the franchise.
In terms of 4K UHD Blu-ray release, this gets:
4.5 (out of 5) for video quality
4.5 (out of 5) for audio quality
2 (out of 5) for bonus materials
Overall Verdict:
Great Film ANDPresentation
Available as:
2017 4K UHD Blu-ray
2017 4K “Ultimate Trilogy” Box Set
