Tale Of The Mummy

Released by:

Dimension Home Video, through Buena Vista Home Entertainment

Features:

1999; 98Min; Rated R; Dolby Digital: 5.1 English; Widescreen  (2.35).

Extras:

None.

Review:

Before I delve into this disc, I want to preface it by saying I have not seen any version of the mummy yet. Not the original 1932 film (Hey, I just got to the original Frankenstein, shoot me.), or the most recent film from this year starring Brendan Fraser. The reason I watched this film was because I'm a Russel Mulcahy fan. I think Real McCoy is a pretty good movie, don't ask why, just accept it. And here we go...

Tale Of The Mummy is the latest release from Miramax's Dimension label, you know the one that specializes in the Horror and Sci-Fi. Jason Scott Lee as detective Riley, is given top billing in this film, but he's not the main focus. It is the legacy of Talos the Mummy, unearthed and buried again, over 80 years ago by Sir Richard Turkel, a cameo by Christopher Lee (he's still alive?). As fate, or need of a plot, would have it, his grand daughter, Samantha (Louise Lombard),  has taken up his quest to unearth the mysteries of Talos.

Professor Marcus, Michael Lerner, overlooks the process, much like the way Lt. Gorman over saw things in Aliens. Cheesy and done before, but no big deal. In the process of cracking the seal of Talos' tomb, two members of the crew go, how should I put it? Around the bend. One falls to his death, attempting to steal some jewels, while Bradley (Shawn Pertwee) is struck by some visions, and begins to go mad.

Fast forward to seven months later, the treasures from Talos' tomb, including his sarcophagus, where this mummified remains are displayed, are on display in a museum. All hell breaks loose, a museum guard as killed and mysterious twisted murders begin to occur in London. In comes Detective Riley and another British cop, ready to investigate. this eventually leads to Riley's meeting with Samantha and nut ball Bradley, who is being accused of the murders. The chase for the murderer (the mummy) is on.

As a movie, I can sort of understand why this never made it to the theater. I believe it was supposed to be released earlier this year, but when Universal's version was let loose, Dimension knew better. Being a film originally intended for the theater, the production values were pretty high. Hell, KNB Effects was one of the producers listed at the start of the film. The effects were pretty good, excluding the disintegration of Christoper Lee's character, you'll know what I'm talking about when you see it. Talos' effect we pretty awesome, considering the scope of the picture. How were people killed? two words Mummy Wrap.

The overall presentation of the movie was pretty good for a "straight to video" flick. It earned automatic bonus point for being shot in scope (2.35), in my book. I'm a sucker for truely widescreen presentations. The picture quality was also pretty good, this is an accomplishment considering how dark most of the scenes were.

What blew me away was the audio track of the film. Buena Vista Home Video has once again presented a made for video product in Dolby Digital 5.1. The mix was out standing, all of the channels are active throughout the movie, and were not just talking music here. When the mummy goes to kill off people, he actually wraps around the room, just as the visuals suggest.

When it comes to extras, well this is Disney after all, remember the company that considers chapter marks, widescreen and audio a special feature. Thus there is nothing.

If there's one straight to video film worth renting currently, this is it. It's not great, but it's fun. As well as dark and sinister at point. If enough people rent or buy this title, maybe the sequel will be released theatrically.

On a scale of 1 to 10, the movie ranks a 6 not that bad of a straight to video titles...

On a scale of 1 to 10, this presentation earns a 4, this is a typical Buena Vista release. 1 Bonus Biscuit for being presented in scope.

Dan Linzmeier, FIT Productions
Fitprod@aol.com
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