La momia

oh,my word.i don't know what i just witnessed,but i know it wasn't good.this is not a good movie,at all.i'm not sure if i've ever been this bored in my life.it's supposed to be horror movie of sorts.the only problem is,they forgot to put in anything that would be scary.it's also done on the cheap,and looks it.the dialogue gives new meaning to the word abysmal.this thing may have been 95 minutes long,but it might as well have been 95 days,that's how slow it was.Tony Curtis plays a prominent role,but looks out of place in this movie.the only saving grace(if there is in one)is the actress who played the lead female character.she was more convincing than anyone else was.for that,i'll give The Mummy Lives a 2/10.

I can only agree with most of the negative reviews on many levels, however I found it strangely compelling for all the wrong reasons.

There were elements I enjoyed, but after reading one reviewer state with apparent seriousness, that this film is superior to the Hammer Classic in 1959, that in itself is probably one of the greatest pieces of comedy I have read in years.

Tony Curtis was totally miscast, comparing his casting to the casting of Christopher Lee is plainly ludicrous.

Christopher Lee was often cast as Foreigners due to his imposing height and darker looks, especially in Swashbuckling roles before he achieved fame in the Hammer Horror films.

Tony Curtis looks like an Italian Restaurant owner at a fancy dress party, but don't get me wrong because I normally like him in most films.

In the Hammer Classic, Christopher Lee was able to add pathos to the character with astonishing effectiveness, just with skilfull use of his eyes.

He was able to project the eternal sadness of a man who died for his love, he wasn't just some lumbering soulless monster.

The only advantage this movie has over the Hammer Classic are the location shots, but describing the sets of the Hammer film as 'lame' shows no appreciation for the Excellent job done by the Hammer team or Art direction.

With low budgets, Hammer did wonders with set design, cinematography atmosphere , music and a stable of actors that The Mummy Lives could have benefited from.

The Mummy Lives can't even hold a candle to the Hammer Mummy sequels, let alone the Universal movies.

However I found it strangely watchable and enjoyable in a B-Movie way.

It has its moments and with better casting, direction and music, could have actually been quite memorable.

Because first impressions aren't doing this film any favours.

Completely ignoring the cheesily bad acting...I'm not sure what I should be more concerned about: the fact that they are worshiping Anubis as Zeus in Egypt; that they are pronouncing Zeus, Zoss?... Zoth, perhaps?; or Tony Curtis'; attempt to channel his inner William Shatner.

Cause all of the above is cringeworthy.

But there is just something about it...that makes you WANT to like it.

The concept is pretty cool, for example.

After a divorce, a woman is drawn to Egypt- particularly Luxor- where she links up with a psychiatrist and oddly informative Egyptologist- who is actually her reincarnated lover, in the body of Tony Curtis.

She has come to watch his tomb being unearthed.

An event which marks the 3300th year the two lovers have been apart...since being murdered by the ruling class.

In doing so, they find his mummy, and awaken it's curse.

So, obviously they all start to die...while the mummy tunnels on the young divorcee as the love he died to honour all those years ago.

Now, the only thing that can save her from falling an existence based on this alternate reality is the psychiatrist that has been trying to woo her.

The whole thing paints the mummy with the allure of a vampire.

Which is cool.

The settings, scenery, locations, props, costumes and mise-en-scene are all awesome.

That is certainly what draws you into the film the most.

But despite that- and having a solid concept at it's base- the lacking execution simply hinders the whole experience.

The acting department is mostly to blame.

As I noted earlier, it honestly seems like they told Curtis to do it as Shatner?!

Personally, I don't think it is as bad as the rating here reflects.

But it's not quite cheesy enough to be good cheesy, either.

4.5 out of 10.

THE MUMMY LIVES certainly isn't the biggest budgeted or best mummy flick ever made, but it's far from a waste of one's time and it's actually quite fun. I had a wonderful time watching it. You just have to know what you are getting yourself into: This is a very low budget old fashioned PG-13 mummy flick with a very out of place Tony Curtis. Curtis is completely miscast, but he plays his role with such terrific panache it's a joy to behold. You just have to be willing to accept this weird little low budget flick on its own terms. Just sit back and enjoy the modestly budgeted spectacle of ancient ruins, magic rituals, snakes, nightmares, mummies, forbidden love, murders, and blood. It's all very cheap yet charming, and its flaws are all part of its appeal. THE MUMMY LIVES is a low budget affair,but it delivers good fun and is a nice way to spend time on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

THE MUMMY LIVES is -very loosely- based on a story by Edgar Allan Poe. It opens with an interminably long lesson in astrology that really has nothing to do with the actual movie. Next, we join an archaeological dig in Egypt, where an ancient tomb is uncovered.

Meanwhile, in Cairo, we are introduced to Sandra Barnes (Leslie Hardy). Annoying voiveover narration tells us her every thought. When she falls asleep, we're taken into her dreams of Ancient Egypt, where we're subjected to Tony Curtis as a Pharaoh (!!).

Meanwhile, back at the tomb, imbeciles -including a British zillionaire who says "By Jove!" a lot- break in, and the horror begins. Sort of.

If you've seen any of the mummy movies starting from the original 1932 classic, then you'll pretty much know the entire plot of this one from the beginning:

Forbidden love leads to death and a curse, which comes to fruition in modern times.

The only thing added to this basic outline is absurdity, bad acting, and ultra-melodramatic dialogue. Luckily for us, Mr. Curtis' character gets a central role, and gets to pontificate and spout tons of mumbo jumbo. Sometimes, he even slips into his glorious "Cary Grant" voice from SOME LIKE IT HOT! His death scene is beyond hilarious!

Extra Points For: The bonkers voice of the angry Egyptian deity!

A true gut-buster from start to finish! Prepare the intoxicants, gather your fellow cheeeze-lovers, and get ready to laugh yourself sick!...