The Mummy

Boris Karloff gets another monster under his belt! Only one year after Frankenstein!
Horror icon Boris Karloff who is most well known for being Frankenstein's monster puts another monster to his repertoire. To start off The Mummy franchise and coming off the fascination from Tutankhamen tomb this is a creepy start to an icon. Not the best starter from the monster icon movies, but it still holds a creepy tone and great make up with Boris Karloff to to pull the film into a very interesting watch.

I have to admit that the first half is some what boring. The very beginning where the archaeologist accidentally reviving Imhotep is a very chilling quick scene. Once we go into Imhotep's back story on how he became wrapped up and buried alive is when the film really picks up. He starts killing people, and wants his lover to die and come back like he did, but the lover is conflicted because she is reincarnated she technically has two minds; modern and ancient Egypt, that conflict with what Imhotep wants.

What this film does really well I believe is that there is minimal music in the whole piece. Because of the non music it makes a few scenes really more intense and nail biting than if it had music because it feels more real. Another part that is really nice is that the sets are really well made, and big enough that there are plenty of panning shots. Unfortunately this film does show it's age and I think die hard monster fans who enjoy this the most.

The special effects are pretty good. Although the film tends to recycle certain shots (I'm looking at you close up of Karloff's face, even though its a great scary shot) this film does have its times. Although I wished there would be more scenes with the rotting mummy in bandages, this is a pretty solid film that really kicks off later than sooner. I do have to give this film some slack since it was maybe the third Universal monster movie, but it did serve it's purpose and made plenty of sequels, remakes, and so on.

RECOMMENDATION: Medium