The Mummy's Hand Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		5.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

The Mummy's Hand Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 23, 2017

Arriving long after 1932’s “The Mummy,” 1940’s “The Mummy’s Hand” is the first effort from Universal Studios to revive one of their signature monsters for a fresh round of terror and franchise construction, using the war-torn decade to build up the brand name, figuring out ways to return to Egypt and sustain the chills. While a business plan is in place with “The Mummy’s Hand,” the picture plays a bizarre game of delay, showing more interest in the fumbly, bumbly antics of archaeologists than the titular creature, who doesn’t even make his grand entrance until the final act.

“The Mummy’s Hand” hopes to raise anxiety with its tale of forbidden love and immortality, introducing Egyptian troublemaking with the opening scene, which details the creation of the new Mummy (played by Tom Tyler). However, the monster goes away for significant amount of screentime, with the picture switching focus to archaeologists searching for funding, managing plans to visit a cursed crypt. Simplicity isn’t welcome, with most of the plot trying to make sense of a special serum created from magical leaves that fuels eternal life, and there’s pronounced comedy throughout, diluting tension with silliness. The production doesn’t show interest in beefing up the horrors of the Mummy either, killing time with iffy characters and more serum business, which quickly starts to feel like a chemistry lesson.

The Mummy's Hand Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation permits a clear look at the limited locations of "The Mummy's Hand," offering generous distances to catch background movement, and sets are surveyed in full. Detail is also welcome with monster make-up, which captures the decay of the new Mummy, and human co-stars remain sharp enough to examine. Delineation isn't troubling, handling darker environments well. Source is in strong shape, lacking noticeable damage.

The Mummy's Hand Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix offers a basic representation of "The Mummy's Hand," with dialogue exchanges sounding clear, supporting comedic speeds and horror experiences. Scoring isn't defined in full, but the essentials in mood are understood, with passable instrumentation. Sound effects aren't precise but they remain loud.

The Mummy's Hand Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (1:35, SD) is included.

The Mummy's Hand Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Mummy's Hand" is a short picture (67 minutes), so it comes as a disappointment when the monster doesn't make his grand, black-eyed entrance until 40 minutes into the movie, which is an eternity to wait when the rest of the screenplay deals with lukewarm action and comedy. Creature design is interesting, making for plausible intimidation, but there are not enough frights, finding "The Mummy's Hand" bizarrely reluctant to unleash its greatest asset.