Unearthing the Truth: A Deep Dive into The Mummy 2017

The 2017 reboot of The Mummy, starring Tom Cruise, aimed to breathe new life into the classic monster franchise. However, its release sparked a complex debate among fans and critics alike. Was it a successful resurrection or a buried failure? This article delves deep into the film, exploring its strengths, weaknesses, and lasting impact on the cinematic landscape.

A Modern Take on an Ancient Curse

The 2017 Mummy attempted to modernize the familiar tale. Instead of the classic Egyptian setting, it introduced a contemporary story with a revived Egyptian princess, Ahmanet, wreaking havoc in London. The shift in setting and the focus on a female antagonist were bold moves, departing from the previous portrayals. But did these changes truly work?

• The setting was not solely limited to Egypt, taking the story across multiple continents, giving it a more global feel.
• The film introduced a new origin story for the mummy, moving away from just a pharaoh being disturbed.
• The blend of action-adventure with horror elements was a deliberate choice to cater to a broader audience.

The Mummy 2017 Princess Ahmanet

Was Tom Cruise the Right Choice?

Casting Tom Cruise in a leading role was a big swing for the reboot, and not everyone felt it paid off. Cruise is renowned for his high-octane action performances, but the Mummy franchise has traditionally leaned more heavily into horror and suspense. His performance brought a different dynamic to the film.

• His portrayal of Nick Morton was seen by some as lacking emotional depth.
• His presence did bring a level of action to the movie that is familiar to the audience.
• The film was meant to kick off a shared universe of monsters, thus Cruise was meant to be the central figure to build the movie around.

“The choice to cast Cruise was clearly a bid for a bigger audience, and they succeeded in terms of attracting attention. However, I don’t think it served the core premise of the movie well. This film should have been more about horror and building suspense.” – Dr. Eleanor Vance, Film Historian, University of London.

The Dark Universe: A Premature Burial?

The Mummy 2017 was intended to launch Universal’s “Dark Universe,” a shared cinematic universe featuring classic movie monsters. This ambitious plan ultimately fell flat, with The Mummy receiving mixed reviews and failing to perform exceptionally well at the box office.

The Hopes and Failures of a Shared Universe

• The concept of bringing iconic monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein, and The Mummy together was definitely appealing to many fans.
• The film attempted to set up the Dark Universe with subtle references and a post-credit scene, teasing more to come.
• The failure of The Mummy to achieve critical acclaim or financial success ultimately led to the cancellation of the Dark Universe project.

What led to this failure? Many believe that the attempt to balance action, horror, and universe building resulted in a film that lacked a clear identity.

A Deep Look at the Characters

Beyond the lead character and the antagonist, there were several supporting characters that added to the plot. Did they serve their purpose well?

• Dr. Henry Jekyll/Mr. Hyde: Played by Russell Crowe, he is introduced as the head of Prodigium, an organization that tracks supernatural threats. His dual personality and his intention to control the monsters were vital to setting up the Dark Universe.

• Jenny Halsey: The character, played by Annabelle Wallis, acted as a bridge between the characters of Tom Cruise and Russel Crowe, but she has a strong presence in her own right, with a mysterious past of her own, which was supposed to be further explored in later sequels.

• Ahmanet: Portrayed by Sofia Boutella, was intended to be more than just another villain, but an intelligent and cunning foe, whose motivations were intended to be explored over multiple films within the Dark Universe.

“Characters like Dr. Jekyll and Jenny were meant to provide a narrative thread for the shared universe. However, I think the lack of a focused narrative in The Mummy made them feel less impactful. Their complexity was barely explored” – Professor Alistair Harding, Mythologist, University of Cambridge.

The Story: A Narrative That Stumbles

Many felt the story struggled to find a balance between the classic monster movie tropes and the modern action style that was intended to be the foundation of this universe.

• The plot was criticized for being convoluted and lacking coherence in some areas.
• The narrative failed to capitalize on the potential horror elements, which are traditionally associated with the Mummy character.
• While action sequences were well executed, they often felt out of place and took away from the desired suspense.

London City Scene Mummy 2017

The Legacy of The Mummy 2017

Despite its shortcomings, The Mummy 2017 leaves a mark on the monster movie genre. It serves as a case study in what can go wrong when attempting to modernize a classic story.

• It brought to light the challenge of balancing large budgets with original storytelling.
• The failure of the “Dark Universe” prompts a reflection on the risks of shared universe projects.
• It reignited interest in classic monster stories.

Lessons Learned From A Mummy Reboot

What could future reboots learn from the failure of The Mummy 2017? Focusing on strong character development and a well-defined narrative seems to be crucial when working within an existing franchise.

• Stay true to the original source material while still adding something fresh.
• Do not overcomplicate the plot with unnecessary world-building, if the core story isn’t well-defined.
• Understand what the audience expects and try to balance those expectations with the creative direction.

The Mummy 2017 may not have been the triumphant revival that Universal hoped for. Nevertheless, it generated a conversation about the future of monster movies and their place in the cinematic world, ensuring that its legacy remains, albeit, one of caution.

Conclusion

The Mummy 2017 attempted to blend classic horror with modern action, but ultimately fell short of its goals. The failure of the “Dark Universe” project, which was meant to be built upon this film, has led to discussions on the challenges of rebooting classic franchises and creating shared universes. The film serves as an example of the fine line between innovative storytelling and losing the core identity of a franchise. Despite the controversy, The Mummy 2017 offers valuable lessons for filmmakers looking to tackle monster movies.

Frequently Asked Questions about The Mummy (2017)

1. What was the main plot of The Mummy 2017?
   The movie revolves around Nick Morton, who accidentally unearths the tomb of Princess Ahmanet. Once revived, Ahmanet unleashes her wrath on modern London, causing mass destruction, and setting a pathway for her rule to once again reign supreme over earth.

2. Why was The Mummy 2017 considered a failure?
   The movie received mixed reviews, with critics citing a convoluted plot, an awkward tone, and a lack of horror. It also didn’t perform as well at the box office as expected, which led to the cancellation of the intended Dark Universe.

3. Who played the main characters in The Mummy 2017?
   The main cast includes Tom Cruise as Nick Morton, Sofia Boutella as Princess Ahmanet, Annabelle Wallis as Jenny Halsey, and Russell Crowe as Dr. Henry Jekyll/Mr. Hyde.

4. What was the “Dark Universe” and why did it fail?
   The “Dark Universe” was a planned cinematic universe meant to bring together Universal’s classic movie monsters, starting with The Mummy 2017. It failed due to The Mummy‘s negative reception, which led to Universal abandoning the project.

5. Was The Mummy 2017 a reboot of previous Mummy films?
   Yes, it was a reboot intended to reintroduce the classic Mummy story for a modern audience. It was also designed to differentiate itself from previous versions by modernizing the story and introducing new elements.

6. How does the story differ from the classic Mummy films?
   The 2017 film shifts the setting to modern-day London and includes a female antagonist, Ahmanet, unlike the male pharaohs in previous versions. It also has a stronger focus on action and introduces concepts related to the broader Dark Universe.

7. What elements of the classic monster films did The Mummy 2017 retain?
   While the story is set in modern times, elements such as the curse of the mummy, the power of resurrection, and the horror-centric themes were all retained, although they were placed in a more action-oriented setting.

8. Were there any plans for sequels or spin-offs to The Mummy 2017?
   Yes, there were plans for sequels and spin-offs featuring the other monsters of the Dark Universe. However, due to the negative reception of the film, all plans for future productions of that nature were cancelled.