Roger Ebert Called The Mummy ‘Good Trash’

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For an entire generation growing up in the ’90s, one DVD stood out: Stephen Sommers’ 1999 monster movie. It wasn’t the type of film you saw just once in the cinema; it was the well-loved VHS copy that got played at almost every sleepover and family movie night. The Mummy truly was a classic adventure film. It delivered exciting action, lighthearted comedy, real moments of fright, and a captivating romance, all thanks to the fantastic connection between Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. Back then, the respected film critic Roger Ebert famously described it as “good trash,” even suggesting it was better than Roger Donaldson’s 1995 sci-fi thriller Species.

Over twenty years since its initial release, The Mummy is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, now ranking among the Top 10 titles on Peacock. This isn’t simply people feeling nostalgic, though. As a new generation discovers the movie, it’s becoming apparent that Roger Ebert’s review wasn’t critical-it was actually quite insightful. The film is a prime example of a fun, unpretentious, and incredibly enjoyable blockbuster-the kind Hollywood rarely produces these days. Ebert wasn’t putting the movie down; he was praising it for being exactly what it set out to be.

The Mummy is a Reminder That Fun Can Be Smart

What makes the 1999 film The Mummy so enjoyable is how genuinely it embraces its adventure. It was created with the intention of being a large-scale, exciting, and entertaining experience, and it delivers perfectly. The movie skillfully combines scares, humor, and a love story, all while remaining heartfelt. To appreciate how unique this was, it’s useful to consider the original film that inspired it.

The original film, featuring the iconic Boris Karloff, was a chilling, slow-paced, and classically gothic horror story. It was brilliantly crafted to create a specific mood and rely heavily on shadows. However, when director Stephen Sommers revisited the story, he turned that frightening idea into a fast-paced, Indiana Jones-like adventure. He didn’t simply retell the story; he fundamentally changed its feel and category, constructing an entire universe of action, comedy, and romance around the basic monster idea.

The film delivers impressive and visually stunning action sequences. Whether it’s the exciting riverboat gunfight or the crumbling ancient city of Hamunaptra, these moments are always enjoyable and never take themselves too seriously. The library scene early in the film is a great illustration of this; it’s much more intense following the opening dessert scene. However, because The Mummy strikes a perfect balance between action and humor, the lightheartedness needed to be established earlier.

The library scene with Evelyn Carnahan (Rachel Weisz) is a funny, fast-paced bit of physical comedy. She clumsily knocks over all the bookshelves, creating a domino effect. While it’s lighthearted, the scene also effectively shows us who Evy is: a smart but awkward academic who’s eager for adventure. This is what makes the film so good – the exciting, large-scale moments are balanced by humor and genuine human connection, which makes the spectacle truly work. It’s a perfect blend of thrills and heart, and that’s where the film’s strength lies.

Roger Ebert Was Unreasonably Pleased With The Mummy

The reason The Mummy remains so enjoyable to watch again and again is how skillfully it blends different moods. It’s genuinely frightening at times, featuring jump scares, unsettling flesh-eating scarabs, and a truly menacing, desperate mummy brought back to life. But it’s also a really funny comedy, an exciting adventure, and a grand romance, all combined into one film. This balance is what makes it such a perfect movie to relax with; the story understands precisely when to frighten you and when to make you laugh.

The wonderful connection between Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz is at the center of this film, but what truly makes it special is how well every actor contributes to the story. Each performance is important. John Hannah, who plays Jonathan – often remembered as the movie’s source of humor – really delivers on that role. His character’s selfishness frequently drives the plot forward, whether it’s stealing the key or mistakenly reciting from the Book of the Dead. In a 2019 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Hannah explained how he developed his comedic timing in the film. He shared, “I had some trouble with The Mummy at first. I was wondering, “Steve, what am I supposed to do?” He told me, “Just improvise in the background, and if anything is funny, we’ll include it.”

Kevin J. O’Connor’s Beni serves as a wonderfully slimy and fearful contrast to Rick’s bravery. And Oded Fehr’s portrayal of Ardeth Bay adds a feeling of timeless solemnity and responsibility to the narrative, keeping the audience aware of what’s truly at risk. Even the antagonist, Imhotep, played by Arnold Vosloo, is more than just a frightening creature. He’s motivated by a heartbreaking, romantic quest. His longing to bring back his beloved makes him a much more interesting character. Vosloo’s acting brings depth to his role and enhances the film’s shadowy, sensual, and mystical atmosphere.

The dedication to developing even minor characters is what truly brings this world to life and makes it so captivating. The film immerses viewers in a thrilling and cinematic depiction of Egypt, brimming with exciting mythology and memorable figures-this is how Ebert described it in his 1999 review. He wrote:

The Mummy is A ‘Good Trash’ That Has Aged Like Wine

Roger Ebert’s well-known term, “good trash,” fit this film so well because it understood its purpose. It wasn’t aiming for awards, deep meaning, or innovative acting. Instead, it focused on creating a specific feeling: the simple fun of a classic adventure, and it succeeded entirely. Many modern blockbusters feel empty, lacking imagination and prioritizing profit. However, The Mummy’s lively spirit and its use of impressive, real-life stunts feel surprisingly fresh.

The impressive practical effects – like the sandstorm scenes and the mummy’s appearance – and the large, real sets feel more realistic and substantial than the polished digital effects often seen in today’s big movies. These slight flaws actually add to their appeal. This film truly offers something for everyone. Many fans consider The Mummy a love story, as it features a romantic triangle between the three main characters, all set against a backdrop of history, desert landscapes, ancient creatures, and horror.

Surprisingly, Sommers recounts that Universal Studios wasn’t initially thrilled with his idea. They anticipated a cheap horror film, but he proposed a large-scale, romantic adventure reminiscent of Indiana Jones or Jason and the Argonauts. “When I shared my vision with the studio, they responded, ‘If you’re simply remaking the Boris Karloff Mummy – a low-budget horror movie with a bandaged figure – that level of funding doesn’t make sense. But if you’re aiming for something [bigger, we can consider a larger budget],'” Sommers explained to SyFy in an interview.

However, the Van Helsing director realized that audiences didn’t want to see a character completely covered in bandages. His unique decisions, in the end, proved very successful for Universal. The Mummy earned around $417 million globally, despite costing only $80 million to make. Sommers shared this story with The Hollywood Reporter after learning the film had become a huge success, saying:

The enthusiastic response to The Mummy when it came out in 1999 wasn’t just a fleeting moment; the film continues to have a dedicated and lively fanbase today. Fans still enjoy repeating its many memorable lines, making memes from its most famous scenes, and have recently helped it gain popularity again on streaming services. Efforts to restart the franchise, such as , didn’t succeed because they were too grim, too intense, and tried too hard to create a larger interconnected movie universe. The 1999 film, however, still holds up as a classic-or, as Roger Ebert famously described it, “Not art. Not great trash. Good trash.”

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2025-10-04 05:40