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The Mummy [Blu-ray]x$16.95
  (16 reviews)
Best Price: $29.98 $16.95
Universal Remote Mummy (1999) (Blu-ray) Deep in the Egyptian desert, a handful of people searching for a long-lost treasure have just unearthed a 3,000-year-old legacy of terror. Combining the thrills of a rousingadventure with the suspense of the legendary 1932horror classic, "The Mummy" is a true non-stop action epic, filled with dazzling visual effects, top-notch talent and superb storytelling.
If you're expecting bandaged-wrapped corpses and a lurching Boris Karloff-type villain, then you've come to the wrong movie. But if outrageous effects, a hunky hero, and some hearty laughs are what you're looking for, the 1999 version of The Mummy is spectacularly good fun. Yes, the critics called it "hokey," "cheesy," and "pallid." Well, the critics are unjust. Granted, the plot tends to stray, the acting is a bit of a stretch, and the characters occasionally slip into cliché, but who cares? When that action gets going, hold tight--those two hours just fly by.
The premise of the movie isn't that far off from the original. Egyptologist and general mess Evelyn (Rachel Weisz) discovers a map to the lost city of Hamunaptra, and so she hires rogue Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser) to lead her there. Once there, Evelyn accidentally unlocks the tomb of Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo), a man who had been buried alive a couple of millennia ago with flesh-eating bugs as punishment for sleeping with the pharaoh's girlfriend. The ancient mummy is revived, and he is determined to bring his old love back to life, which of course means much mayhem (including the unleashing of the 10 plagues) and human sacrifice. Despite the rather gory premise, this movie is fairly tame in terms of violence; most of the magic and surprise come from the special effects, which are glorious to watch, although Imhotep, before being fully reconstituted, is, as one explorer puts it, rather "juicy." Keep in mind this film is as much comedy as it is adventure--those looking for a straightforward horror pic will be disappointed. But for those who want good old-fashioned eye-candy kind of fun, The Mummy ranks as one of choicest flicks of 1999. --Jenny Brown
MPN: 03996 - UPC: 025195039963
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Customer Reviews
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Terrific movie with a sharp looking transfer
By AQP1VPK16SVWM on 2008-07-24
"The Mummy" receives a very nice look Blu-ray transfer for this new edition of the movie. Capturing the adventurous elements of films like "Indiana Jones" and injecting it into the basic story for the 1932 film "The Mummy", Stephen Sommers creates a terrific, enteraining film. For those interested in a synposis of the plot, I'll provide it at the end of the review because you've probably already seen this.
The Blu-ray transfer looks quite good here with bold colors that more closely recall the original theatrical presentation than the DVD. The image is crisp and while there's evidently some digital noise reduction applied, Universal hasn't completely cleaned away all the film grain which is a good thing because when that's done you actually lose sharpness and clarity (it is restored with a loss of detail via Edge Enhancement like the recent reissue of "Patton" which went overboard with digitally cleaning up the film). The best thing that Universal could have done here was to leave the grain intact and dispense with the Edge Enhancement. I suspect that the same source was used for the Blu-ray as was used for the HD-DVD edition but that the Edge Enhancement is more transparent here because of higher resolution.
What does all of that mean? The film looks extremely good but could look brilliant. Still, on the whole this looks much better than the DVD edition.
The extras are still presented in 480p (which is standard DVD definition)so be aware those haven't been updated. However, Universal has made this a U-Control disc where you can customize the extras as you watch the film (something developed for and carried over from HD-DVD). You do get the ability to watch the visual commentary/extras while watching the film. All of the original extras from the DVD have been ported over for this edition. All of the extras and the film are on the single disc edition here (unlike the DVD which has most of the extras on a second disc).
Followed by the equally entertaining (and much bigger production of) "The Mummy Returns" and a fun entertaining (if lesser)spin-off film "The Scorpion King", "The Mummy" is worth picking up again even if you have the original DVD edition. Highly recommended.
Oh, and the plot? A group of explorers led by Evelyn (Rachel Weisz)and Rick (Brendan Fraiser)rush to find the riches of an Egyptian tomb and end up reviving Im-Ho-Tep (Arnold Vosloo)an Egyptian High Priest buried alive for his part in a conspiracy to kill the Pharoah. Brought back by the Egyptian Book of the Dead, Im-Ho-Tep takes revenge on those who plundered his tomb and seeks the Book of the Dead to bring back his beloved princess who helped him kill the Pharoah.
It is a great popcorn flick.
Beware, does not come with free movie cash!
By A1UL2JH7XOUGM5 on 2008-07-22
Unlike buying this product in retail stores, for some reason the Amazon copies of this title do not include the $7.50 free movie cash for Mummy 3. Buyer beware!
Be Aware...
By A1M36RIBC6IT7F on 2008-07-25
I haven't yet been able to view what is supposed to be a beautiful transfer onto blu-ray. This release by Universal will not currently play on Samsung players (I have tested four different Samsung players; it plays fine on other manufacturers' decks), beyond the FBI warning, opinion disavowal, film rating, and opening menu. Instead it locks in a "Slide Show" mode with a dark screen which is not responsive to your remote. There is a recent firmware update from Samsung dated 6/20, which may resolve this problem.
Excellent BD release!
By AF2C4O771G9J2 on 2008-07-25
This movie is one of the few movies made before the HD era that has actually blown me away with its graphics and sound. The graphics look EXCELLENT, details are amazing at 1080p! Clear, crisp, live-looking images in which you can actually even appreciate the texture of the walls, the stones, the sand and the special effects simply look awesome. Overall one of the best transfers I've seen so far in Blu-ray, a definite must-have for any fan of the franchise and High Definition movies.
This is what Blu is all about!
By AJMLG0O92LJ97 on 2008-07-28
I can't recommend both Mummy movies on Blu Ray more! Awesome transfers for both flicks. But most of all, just good wholesome entertainment!
- Incompatible with Some Blu-Ray Players
By ASOY1W9L29GB2 on 2008-08-10
This dvd does not play on my Pioneer Elite BDP-95FD. The machine loads the menus but none of the movie will play. The player has up-to-date firmware and is less than a year old.
Might be a great transfer but more care should have been put into seeing that the DVD functioned on all blu-ray players or a warning should have been given about what was needed.
Based on other reviews, this problem does not appear to be limited to Pioneer machines.
- Excellent Release!
By A1DV21D4P7G796 on 2008-07-23
If you love The Mummy - you will love this release in all it's HD goodness! Go, buy it now - listen to the voices in your head :)
Excellent picture - Excellent sound!
- Good, but...
By A1RJXO99BU5ZU5 on 2008-07-30
The movie looks great. However, there are a couple of curious and annoying issues.
1. The PS3 had an update a few months ago which gave the machine the capability of "remembering" where the viewer left off (stopping the disc or even removing it). Upon restarting the disc, it would pick up at that point. This disc does not respond to that useful feature. You have to noodle your way through the film to find where you left off.
2. Sometimes I like to freeze the frame and enjoy a moment in the cinematography, or perhaps play a portion in slo-mo. This disc has a pop-up "slider bar" which shows you where you are in the time line of the film. This thing appears whenever you activate Pause, etc. The feature seems to be unavoidable and I find it quite annoying. This a case where, IMHO, the Blu-ray "bells and whistles" are out of control.
- Oh Rachel!!
By A27494WPSOPIO2 on 2008-08-23
This is one of my favorite movies of all-time, I just love the action and adventure plus Rachel Weisz. I was very happy when this movie was finally released in Blu-Ray I watch it all the time just to re-live the adventure and watch Rachel. This movie sparkles in Blu-Ray and has more features and extras that I am still watching
- Get the upgraded firmware
By A21M1SHXG8WAFS on 2008-07-25
This movie is beautiful in Blu Ray but when I first attempted to play it, my Sony 300 and 301 shut down right as the movie started. I noticed that it used a brand new DTS-HD Master Audio (only!) 5.1 surround sound and suspected that this was causing the problem, so I went to the Sony site and downloaded and then burned the latest firmware for each of the players, installed them and now the disc plays perfectly on both players. The trouble is that Sony had notified me in the past about such upgraded firmware and they didn't this time. You can also get the CD of the upgrade on the Sony site as well and they'll send it to you.
- No Dolby Digital 5.1!
By A2TCJYFNUFU5R6 on 2008-07-27
If you don't have a DTS decoder on your receiver, then don't even bother. The 5.1 audio on this disc is DTS ONLY, with the only Dolby audio being a lousy Dolby Pro-Logic 2.0 mix. Hardly the "Purest Digital Sound Available" that it falsely claims on the back of the box. Yeah..."purest" IF you have DTS equipment. Had I known this beforehand I wouldn't have bought it. Of course, who would even think to check since just about every DVD ever made has had a 5.1 channel. What is especially insulting is that the main menu audio is in 5.1. It would have been nice to have a warning or disclaimer on the box. What's the point of a hi-def format when muddy, bogus 2-channel audio is all that's available for someone with a Dolby Digital setup? Especially since its available on the standard (and supposedly inferior?) DVD release? Do they want us to buy a new $300 receiver just to play one movie? What a joke. If you only have a Dolby setup, avoid this release.
- Amazon Scammed Me Of My Free Ticket
By AOHABDOTMT84S on 2008-08-06
The movie is great in Blu-Ray as are almost all of them. Unfortunately, the Amazon version of this movie did not come with the movie discount for the new movie. Other stores have it for the same price so just buy it elsewhere and get the discount ticket. Wish Amazon would have disclosed that before I bought it.
- A great remake of a classic...
By A3E975KR2HRERX on 2008-08-09
Though light on the horror. It had more of a gross angle to it than any horror. It's a great action adventure at least.
- Beware!!! No Movie Cash- buy elsewhere.
By A2QV5FWZL6O3LR on 2008-08-09
Unlike every other retailer, Amazon's Universal DVD's do NOT include the $7.50 in movie cash, and you will not find out until you open it. Thus you can't return it. Don't buy from Amazon, go to Sams- $19.23 or Circuit City or Best Buy.
- The Mummy
By A1TTN5AGHRRF2M on 2008-08-12
Great action movie, a little comedy, romance, and special effects. The blu ray transfer, "WOW", clear, crisp, picture and great sound. One of the few movies on blu ray I highly recommend. A must have in your movie library. Enjoy!
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