Stephen Sommers’ 1999 film brought back the classic style of adventure horror, reminiscent of the Hammer films of the past. The movie follows a team of adventurers trying to stop the ancient mummy Imhotep from unleashing chaos. It’s considered one of the most exciting fantasy adventures since Indiana Jones, and a highlight of its genre, though the series isn’t without its flaws.
The original Mummy film is a true adventure classic from the 1990s, and it essentially marked the end of an era of action-packed, old-fashioned movies. While it’s still a fantastic film, some of the special effects and character portrayals haven’t aged well by today’s standards. Despite these flaws, it remains a really enjoyable movie.
Beni Is a Needlessly Annoying Character
The story introduces Rick O’Connell and his unreliable companion, Beni, a Russian soldier in the French Foreign Legion. Beni immediately proves to be a coward and consistently causes trouble for Rick and his allies, particularly when he sides with the villain, Imhotep. He’s portrayed as a consistently whiny and treacherous character with no positive traits, making him a frustrating presence in every scene.
The character of Beni highlights a larger issue with the film: its reliance on stereotypical portrayals of non-Western characters. These characters often feel flat and lack nuance, even compared to the film’s antagonists. While the rival treasure hunters are given some depth, characters like Beni and the prison warden, Gad Hassan, are not. These problems would be less noticeable if the film hadn’t amplified every cliché to an irritating degree.
Audiences Would Have Appreciated More Historical Accuracy
The popular adventure movies of the 1990s weren’t known for being historically accurate. The Mummy, for example, prioritized a good story over facts, even creating a fictional lost city. Some historians especially criticize the film’s portrayal of Imhotep, believing it doesn’t fully capture how fascinating the real historical figure was.
All movies require viewers to set aside some realism and accept creative choices, particularly in genres meant for pure entertainment. However, Stephen Sommers’ The Mummy films are frequently criticized by experts in Egyptology and history for their inaccurate portrayal of Ancient Egypt. Beyond flawed curses and weak character development, the movies could have been stronger, as today’s audiences generally appreciate more historical accuracy rather than less.
The Abysmal Resurrection Plot Ruined the Sequel
The Mummy Returns continues the story ten years after the first film. Rick and Evelyn O’Connell are now living in London with their son, but their peaceful life is shattered when Imhotep and Anck-su-namun return and kidnap their boy, who is in danger because of a bracelet he’s wearing. While trying to rescue him, Evelyn begins to have visions that reveal a surprising connection: she was once an enemy of Imhotep’s lover in a past life.
The decision to bring someone back to life was easily the weakest part of the first two films, adding unnecessary complications to the plot. The franchise thrives on its lighthearted, adventurous spirit, and trying to turn it into a story about fate and destiny felt out of place. This highlights a larger issue with the sequel: attempting to transform a fun, Indiana Jones-style adventure into a grand fantasy, which didn’t suit the series at all.
The Infamous CGI Scorpion King Made the Rock a Meme
The climax of The Mummy Returns features a showdown between Imhotep and Rick, with the future of the Scorpion King and Egypt hanging in the balance. However, when the Scorpion King unexpectedly appears during their battle, it becomes the most memorable part of the scene – and not in a good way.
The special effects in ‘The Scorpion King,’ particularly the CGI, haven’t held up well and are considered some of the worst ever produced by a major studio – especially considering the film cost $98 million to make. It looks more like something from a video game than a big-budget movie, and even the people who created the effects admit it was made too quickly. While the film itself is enjoyable, the poor CGI really breaks the feeling of watching a classic desert adventure.
Tomb of the Dragon Emperor Is Almost Unwatchable
Whether people loved it or not, The Mummy Returns was a solid sequel that many fondly remember. Unfortunately, the third movie, Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, didn’t fare as well. It moved the action from Egypt to China, centering on a resurrected emperor and his army of Terracotta warriors who threaten global destruction. It’s up to the O’Connell family to stop them. The film was so poorly received that it actually made The Scorpion King look good in comparison.
The most disappointing aspect is a clear disregard for the franchise, its fans, and even Rachel Weisz. Instead of working around her schedule – she had recently given birth – the production acted as if she was easily replaceable. Failing to realize Rachel Weisz was just as crucial to The Mummy‘s success as Brendan Fraser was a significant error, one Stephen Sommers likely would have avoided.
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2026-05-10 00:08