Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

The Mummy 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman September 8, 2017

Universal may not have a piece of the Superhero pie, but the studio is sitting on something of a goldmine of classic monsters that, in today's movie marketplace, are just screaming to get the cutting-edge VFX treatment. The studio is hoping to translate all of those properties into new, revitalized ventures as part of what it is calling the "Dark Universe," which sounds like Marvel meets Stephen King. And with that vast roster and ripe opportunity for franchise interconnection, and without resorting to, Heaven forbid, venturing out and making something entirely new, it seems like the studio's best bet to get in on the action that's propelling Disney and Warner Brothers to box office riches. First out of the gate in the DU is The Mummy, a re-imagining that's slick, fast, and stars Tom Cruise, usually a recipe for success. Unfortunately, the movie never quite nails it, flailing about and grasping at anything to give the movie an edge it never finds. Plodding, dull, repetitive, overly complex, and playing as if it was made by reading a guidebook rather than with human spark and creativity, the film offers passable popcorn entertainment but doesn't set a positive pace for Universal's new push into the expansive franchise cinema world.

While digging out a tunnel for a new transportation system, British workers uncover a vast archaeological find that will "reveal antiquity's darkest secret:" a dangerous Egyptian ruby that has been long buried. In Iraq, treasure hunter and U.S. military Sergeant Nick Morton (Tom Cruise) and his friend Chris Vail (Jake Johnson) survive an enemy attack. An airstrike reveals an ancient Egyptian tomb under the sand. Morton and Vail, accompanied by the mysterious Jenny Halsey (Annabelle Wallis), enter the tomb and discover that its occupant, Ahmanet (Sofia Boutella), an ancient Egyptian princess who, after murdering her father and his family for her own gain, was there entombed and cursed forever. When Ahmanet is resurrected and still obliged to kill in order to resurrect an ancient spirit known as Set, she unleashes ancient hell on the modern world.

The Mummy is slow to start and its pacing never recovers. Action scenes are scattered and most of them were in some form or fashion teased to downright depicted in trailers. The film plods through backstory and narrative development with little concern for accessibility. Various plot devices entwine the core story and characters with suffocating complexity and interconnectivity. That's not to say the movie is difficult to follow through its basic machinations, but the endgame remains shrouded (and rightly so...to an extent, particularly is it relates to whatever Universal may have coming up next for the franchise and as part of that larger Dark Universe). But its in-film purposes feel vague, and scenes are often connected together by flimsy-at-best narrative arcs. Supporting action scenes don't deliver much that feels new; most of them would probably wok just as well edited into most any other Tom Cruise Action flick from the last decade or so. The only real difference is what he's shooting at, and where he is doing the shooting. The film struggles to find rhythm or even a real, tangible hook. But even with a sharper narrative and more efficient editing, it's doubtful that the movie could ascend all that far beyond big-budget mediocrity.

While the cast capably wades through the film -- Cruise still looks good running and swinging a gun around -- the players are not afforded much of an opportunity to stretch beyond the script's limitations that hinder their ability to shine. The movie does, at least, seamlessly intermix its live-action and digital support structure, which is significant. But it all rings hollow. The villain is unmemorable, the resolution leaves the movie and the DU in some limbo, and the film's overall tone is one of contrasts between rip-roaring Summer action, stale humor, grand digital effects and locations, and darkly intimate secrets and character moments. The film lacks the classic lines and straightforward ease and accessibility of the older films in the franchise. It doesn't capture the same sense of buoyant playfulness of the Brendan Fraser pictures. The film lacks any sort of identity and even, really, purpose. As a pure popcorn muncher it satisfies but as a way to kick off a new sprawling expedition into the depths of Universal's treasured catalogue? It's a failure: too much emphasis on presentation and not enough on heart or identity.

The Mummy 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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

Though not listed on the film's IMDB tech spec page, The Mummy was finished at 2K as confirmed by Universal to Blu-ray.com. It was also shot on film, though as an effects-heavy production the lower resolution digital intermediate comes as no surprise. Regardless of the numbers, the movie looks wonderful on the UHD format. The 2160p/HDR-enhanced presentation offers a tangible increase in sharpness and detail even over the exceptional Blu-ray. Pores, clothing (including worn and ruined mummification bandages and complex military gear) offer precision, practically tactile definition. Image clarity is outstanding and grain retention is continuous but very, very fine. Colors are healthy and vibrant, though much of the film takes place in lower-light and dull gray/blue locations where opportunity for shades to shine is a bit more limited than even the sun-drenched earthen-heavy Iraqi exteriors from early in the film. Still, saturation is pleasing and complimentary, never feeling excessive through certainly deeper and more robust than what the Blu-ray can offer. Black levels are less dynamic and accurate here, favoring a bit more paleness over the more fully enveloping Blu-ray. Skin tones are fine within any given scene's lighting and context. It's certainly not a dramatic step forward over the Blu-ray, which is of reference quality through-and-through, but this is a rock-solid UHD presentation in its own right.

The Mummy 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Mummy features a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. It's impressively capable, unsurprising given that it's in support of a brand-new big-budget Action movie. The track makes regular use of every channel at its disposal, though overheads are frequently more complimentary in nature than they are discrete participants. The track is continuously immersive and precise. Music flows with practically unmatched detail, distinct separation, balanced surround support, and authentic low end depth. The track is capable of delivering the finest instrumental nuance or the most aggressive, hard-hitting elements with exacting placement and detail. Action scenes are just as robust. Gunshots ring out all over, chaotic sandstorms, shattering glass, explosions, crashing planes, and other intensive qualities offer extensive width and depth and top-line clarity. A vehicle rollover halfway through the film is a sonic reference highlight; crashes and crunches and the sense of movement through, and above, the stage, are obvious. If there's a minor fault, one could argue that gunfire isn't quite as punchy as perhaps it should be. Otherwise, action scenes are going to make even veteran audiophiles giddy. Dialogue is clear and effortlessly detailed, naturally positioned and well prioritized. Impressive reverberation, which includes gentle top-end support, arrives as-needed.

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

Universal's UHD release of The Mummy contains no unique supplemental content. It does carry over the commentary track from the Blu-ray. All extras can be found on that Blu-ray, which is included in this package. A UV/iTunes digital copy is also included with purchase.

• Deleted and Extended Scenes (1080p, 4:52 total runtime): Beautiful, Cunning, and Ruthless; Your Friend Is Alive; Sand In My Mouth; and She's Escaped.
• Cruise & Kurtzman: A Conversation (21:15): The actor and director address an enthusiastic crowd, followed by a more intimate sit-down in which they discuss the project in detail.
• Rooted in Reality (1080p, 6:52): Because an ancient Egyptian coming back to life is rooted in reality...seriously, the piece features Kurtzman, Cruise, and others discussing using the modern, real world as a setting for the movie. It looks more closely at some aspects of the development, casting, and other general tidbits along those lines.
• Life In Zero-G: Creating the Plane Crash (1080p, 7:32): Cruise discusses his vision for the scene and shooting on the real Zero-G airplane that allows passengers to experience the absence of gravity.
• Meet Ahmanet (1080p, 7:39): A closer look at Sofia Boutella's character and performance.
• Cruise in Action (1080p, 6:09): Cast and crew talk up the value of having Cruise in the film and on the set. It also looks at his role in key action scenes.
• Becoming Jekyll and Hyde (1080p, 7:10): An exploration of Russell Crowe's character and place in the film.
• Choreographed Chaos (1080p, 6:35): Shooting in key locations and making several pivotal scenes.
• Nick Morton: In Search of a Soul (1080p, 5:43): A deeper look at Tom Cruise's character.
• Ahmanet Reborn Animated Graphic Novel (1080p, 3:52): A quick, closer look at the character's story with dialogue and narration atop animated imagery.
• Audio Commentary: Director/Producer Alex Kurtzman and Cast Members Sofia Boutella, Annabelle Wallis, and Jake Johnson discuss the movie in detail. Expect much of the general information from all of the featurettes to be repeated, intermixed with some fresh ideas in other areas of exploration.

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

The Mummy falls into that dreaded "see the trailer, see the movie" category. Sure there are some surprises and the film sets in motion some elements and introduces some characters who will play a pivotal part in Universal's plans for its Dark Universe, but as a standalone film it's rather dull, trite, poorly paced, and lacking identity. It's a serviceable escapist watch but plays like any other big, generic, effects-laden contemporary film. Universal's UHD is excellent. A high-end 2160p/HDR transfer, excellent Atmos audio, and a nice allotment of extra content on the Blu-ray make this a must-buy for fans of the film.