The Mummy 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

The Mummy 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Update June 6, 2017: Universal has forwarded a new, sealed copy of the trilogy along with a note stating that the slots that hold the discs have been specially coated to protect the discs from scratching. Further, the studio states that the packaging and discs have been tested and no flaws were discovered. Universal believes my copy to be a fluke. Finally, the studio says that no complaints have been received about the packaging. I will be viewing the movies (4K versions only) again over the coming days and will update the reviews with results. I have also forwarded the forum link to Universal.

Update June 9, 2017: All three new copies of the 4K discs played flawlessly. The Mummy was twice scratched upon initial removal but was able to play without issue. The others showed no signs of damage, not scratches and not the larger surface wear exhibited on the previous discs. The discs were sent to me directly from Universal, factory sealed, in the same fold-open packaging. Upon receipt, I immediately transferred the discs to different cases to minimize potential wear. I have also been notified that Universal has acknowledged receipt of the forum thread and the representative I have been in contact with is taking another look at the issue after previously being told there were no widespread problems. Even with mine playing perfectly, there certainly does appear to be more widespread problems and all three of my discs working perfectly is not a sign that everything is now fine with the release. I will update again if there is reason to do so.

Universal has released the fan-favorite Adventure film 'The Mummy' (1999) to UHD to tie-in to the new film releasing this Summer and starring Tom Cruise. The film features a gorgeous 2160p/HDR-enhanced transfer and a new DTS:X Master Audio soundtrack. It is currently only available as part of a box set with 'The Mummy Returns' and 'The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.' Unfortunately, packaging problems are besieging this set and ruining discs. Read on for more information.

Another angry customer returns 'The Mummy' UHD trilogy due to destructive packaging.

The Mummy 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note 1: Several Universal representatives were asked to comment on whether this transfer is from an upscaled or true 4K source. None have responded to the inquiry.

Note 2: Due to scratches received in transit and under the stress of the packaging, I was unable to view the movie from the 58-minute mark forward without chapter skipping ahead to chapter twelve, which represents about 20 minutes of playback. Therefore, this review does not explicitly cover anything that happens in that timeframe, but I would be surprised if there was a change in overall quality during that time, anyway. Again, several Universal reps were contacted about this issue, but none have seen fit to respond.

Note 3: The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc. Watch for 4K screenshots at a later date.

Well, it's never good when a portion of a review need be prefaced with so many disclaimers, but sadly that's the case with The Mummy, and somehow it's not surprising that it's all in reference to a Universal catalogue release. The full set's packaging problems are well documented, both on the Blu-ray.com forums as well as in the review of the larger box set in which this release may be found. It's doubly frustrating considering Universal's track record of somewhat shoddy catalogue releases and checkered recent history with UHD presentations (including audio problems on Fast & Furious 6 and Furious 7 and the Bourne debacle) and considering that this is actually a really nice UHD release. The movie was shot on film back in 1999. Grain retention is continuous, a little sharp, but the end result is a very pleasing film-quality presentation that appears to suffer from no, or at least no serious, noise reduction. A few inherently softer shots are scattered throughout as well, but these are few and rarely distracting from the image's otherwise excellent credentials.

Detailing is absolutely superb. The image has a nice dimensionality about it, whether deep in various old Egypt lairs or up on the bright, sun-scorched surfaces. Regal, ornate ancient Egyptian attire sparkles, and it's home to plenty of easily identifiable textures. Long-buried structures show plenty of natural roughness on rock columns and the numerous hieroglyphics depicted on them. On the surface, and in the film's "present day," there's no shortage of abundantly complex, easy-come textures. Faces are home to naturally occurring pores and lines and show solid definition. The landscape is texturally alive, with sandy terrain, jagged rocks, and roughhewn stone work revealing plenty of rich, tactile surface detail that the 4K presentation showcases with marvelous clarity. The image's sharpness is never in doubt. It's structurally robust and very handsome. And compared to the previous Blu-ray, there's no question that this UHD absolutely blows it away at every turn. It's not even close.

The HDR-enhanced color palette is excellent, one of the best uses of it yet. The movie is very golden-shiny in its open, contrasted against (would be) deep shadow backgrounds, which are, as is so often the case with UHD, more washed out than they should be. After the open, the movie takes on a very earthy palette, featuring a near endless supply of sun-scorched desert terrains and shades-of-beige rocky and stone locations. Many of the clothes, too, take on that same adventurous desert spirit and are comprised of shades of brown, beige, tan, white...anything that more or less blends in. Robust primaries are hard to come by. The colors are much firmer here than they are on the Blu-ray, in no way "altered" to a significant degree but showing more depth, nuance, and vitality without sacrificing an inch of integrity. With the increased sharpness and filmic texturing, this is easily, far-and-away, the most definitive home video presentation of The Mummy yet. In terms of pure leaps over a previously released Blu-ray, this may be the best yet.

The Mummy 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Mummy has been upgraded to a DTS:X Master Audio soundtrack, and the results are very impressive (again with the caveat of the missing 20 minutes in the middle). The top layer isn't utilized to the fullest extent possible, but there are certainly a few occasions, particularly during chaotic action scenes, whether on the surface or in more densely packed tombs, that take advantage. Blowing wind and sandstorms are the most obvious; such elements power through, and above, the stage, with strong definition and energy. The overhead component isn't excessively pronounced, but it blends in well with the rest of the material. Reverberations and the like in more confined spaces allow for a greater sense of place as sound reverberates about the stage and the overheads help to more accurately recreate the environments. General action makes use of the top end, too, such as flying airplanes or pitch battles or any time the villain spews various stuff at the heroes. Gunfire and other bits of action madness are punchy and spread out along the stage, certainly not the most thunderous ever but, mixed with all the other things happening, makes for a nice, frenzied listening experience. Music never misses a beat, or a speaker, for that matter, spewing out with expert clarity throughout the range (including a healthy low end) and saturating the stage with seamless ease. Dialogue is clear and detailed with natural front-center placement and flawless prioritization.

The Mummy 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This UHD release of The Mummy contains no new supplemental content. The UHD disc carries over the trio of audio commentaries from the original Blu-ray, while all of the other supplements (and those commentaries again) are found on that disc, which is also included in this set. Please refer to the original Blu-ray.com listing for full supplemental reviews.

The Mummy 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Why does it always seem to be one step forward, another step back for Universal? Arguably the most inconsistent major studio today in terms of quality of product, it finally nails a catalogue release and...mars it with terrible packaging, which is only terrible in the way it carries the discs. It's gorgeous otherwise. Hopefully the studio implements an exchange program with better packaging that doesn't ruin the discs, because this one needs to be seen (and heard, too). Very highly recommended, but only when it ships in more stable, disc-friendly packaging.