10 years of Flick Filosopher: scarabing up adventure

The 1999 update of The Mummy is still one of my favorite popcorn flicks, and I’m still really proud of my review of the film:

The golden glow that pervades the film -- gorgeous desert sunsets, gilded temples, warm torchlight -- isn't just symbolic of a longing for a J. Peterman fantasy world of biplanes, khakis, and worn leather satchels hiding priceless historical treasures; it's also indicative of a nostalgia for the great rollicking movies of the past, not just the obvious Raiders of the Lost Ark but also classic adventures like Lawrence of Arabia. Evelyn can crack wise in the face of impending doom and Rick can tell us, at his darkest hour, when all seems lost, that it's up to him and his chums to "rescue the damsel in distress, kill the bad guy, and save the world," because they're in on the joke, too. It's just a movie, they're saying, but come along for the ride -- it'll be a good one.

• review of The Mummy, posted 05.10.99

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