Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12502 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-12-01
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 4
• Formats: Box set, Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: Arabic, English
• Number of discs: 4
• Running time: 244 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
For his breakthrough into the blockbuster big time, director Stephen Sommers (Deep Rising) was determined to avoid the hackneyed Hollywood Mummy clichés of flailing bandages, somnambulant zombies and wooden acting. If you're happy to settle for two out of three then the finished film could be your cup of Egyptian tea, fully delivering on its visual promise, but occasionally mired in a quicksand of stilted dialogue and plot contrivance.

When disgraced high priest Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo) is awoken from his ancient prison, he unleashes his vengeful wrath in a whirl of computer-generated pestilence and plagues, all devised by the effects wizards at George Lucas' Industrial Light and Magic. No gory detail is spared as the mummy sets about rebuilding his decayed body and reviving his forbidden lover, aided by hordes of swarming, flesh-eating scarabs and an army of the dead. Among the more human cast, Brendan Fraser (Blast from the Past, George of the Jungle) brings an infectious Boys' Own enthusiasm to his Indiana-Jones-style adventurer, while such supporting players as Rachel Weisz and John Hannah are mostly eclipsed by the spectacle on offer. Ultimately, The Mummy is great fun and offers digital thrills ideally suited to the DVD format which will wow even the most CGI-sated viewer.

On the DVD: commendably, the extras on this DVD are on a par with the Region One offering, including deleted scenes and director's commentary, and both picture and sound quality are excellent. Most interestingly, veteran ILM effects supervisor John Berton presents step-by-step guides to some of the film's most extraordinary CGI shots, from early animatics to 3-D modelling and compositing. There's also the obligatory "making of" programme, in which everyone insists their primary concern was to ensure the effects never superseded the story. Unfortunately, this only makes you more aware of the script's shortcomings. --Steve Napleton

Amazon.co.uk Review
The modestly titled Ultimate Mummy Collection is an extravagant four-disc package that contains both The Mummy Ultimate Edition and The Mummy Returns Special Edition two-disc sets.

For his breakthrough into the blockbuster big time, director Stephen Sommers was determined to avoid the hackneyed Hollywood Mummy clichés of flailing bandages, somnambulant zombies and wooden acting. If you're happy to settle for two out of three then the finished film could be your cup of Egyptian tea, fully delivering on its visual promise but occasionally mired in a quicksand of stilted dialogue and plot contrivance. Anrold Vosloo is disgraced high priest Imhotep, awoken from his ancient prison to unleash his vengeful wrath in a whirl of computer generated pestilence and plagues; Brendan Fraser brings an infectious boyish enthusiasm to his Indiana Jones-style adventurer, while supporting players Rachel Weisz and John Hannah are mostly eclipsed by the spectacle on offer. The lavish DVD extras include deleted scenes, a director's commentary and, most interestingly, veteran effects supervisor John Berton presenting a step-by-step guide to some of the film's most extraordinary computer generated shots. There's also the obligatory "making of" programme in which everyone insists their primary concern was to ensure the effects never superseded the story. Unfortunately, this only makes you more aware of the script's shortcomings. --Steve Napleton

The Mummy Returns has an even more relentless pace and hammer headed tone than the first film--more explosions, more action and more mind-numbingly endless computer generated effects, set to a headache inducing surround soundtrack. The original cast are reunited and joined by WWF star The Rock (in a cameo role designed to plug his spin-off vehicle The Scorpion King) and young actor Freddie Boath who plays an English eight-year-old in the 1930s whose dialogue borrows from Bart Simpson. Still, despite the wearying relentlessness of its computer generated effects, endless chases and fights, this is undeniably fun popcorn fodder and provides some memorable scenes along the way, notably Rachel Weisz and Patricia Velasquez battling it out for the affections of nasty old Imhotep. Extras in this generous two-disc set include a decent commentary from the director and producer, DVD-ROM features, a 20-minute "making-of" documentary and a five-minute interview with the Rock. Best of all are the detailed special effects breakdowns of key sequences. --Mark Walker

Video Description
DVD Special Features:

The Mummy Ultimate Editon--

Disc 1 -- Director's commentary DVD-ROM from script to scene

Disc 2 -- 48 mins "Building a Better Mummy" documentary
Visual and special effects
Storyboard to film comparison
Deleted scenes
Egyptology 101
Highlights of Mummy Returns
Pharaoh lineage
Photomontage
Trailer
Production notes.

DVD-ROM special features -
Archive of the Mummy website
Interactive Mummy game
Screen savers
Live webcast -- Mummy Returns premiere
Script to screen comparison
Link to Mummy Returns website

The Mummy Returns Special Edition

Disc 1 -- Director's commentary.
DVD-ROM Special Features -
"Unlock the secrets to THE SCORPION KING",
Exclusive access to the movie production,
Mummy Returns Game Demo Screen Saver

Disc 2 -- 20 minutes "Spotlight on location" featurette
An EXCLUSIVE conversation with The Rock, The Scorpion King
Egyptology 201
The Mummy Returns Chamber of Doom
Music Video
Outtakes
Visual and Special Effects
Trailer
Production Notes
Languages: English
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 / DTS
Widescreen 2.35:1
The Mummy Ultimate Edition Subtitles: English, Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Norwegian, Polish, Swedish, Turkish
The Mummy Returns Subtitles: English, Arabic

Customer Reviews

Two films that are both jumpy, witty and romantic
'The Mummy' was a box office smash hit back in 1999 with an all-star cast of Brendan Fraser, Rachael Weisz and John Hannah with the genius of Steven Sommers behind it 100%. The tale of Evelyn a somewhat misunderstood librarian with a fascination of Egypt and Rick O'Connell the man who's life she saved to lead her to Hamunaptra, lost city of the dead. Where the three accidently release an undead curse and then battle to put it back where it came from. This film with shocking computer graphics and brilliant slick comic style is ideal for every type of film lover, as too is the sequel 'The Mummy Returns'. Set 9 years later the married couple and thier son Alex are once again united with Egypt and their curiousity of exploration. Evelyn's dreams come into collision with the Egyptian new year and with that bring flashbacks of past lives, leading her to discover her fate planned hundereds of years before her existence. Once again Rick and Evelyn along with Alex and Jonathon must battle to save the world from Imhotep and the Scorpian King. Featuring WWF's The Rock this is a well-planned and perfect sequel to 'The Mummy'. This box set will give both the brilliant masterpieces a chance to shine true. A must have for all film-lovers, no matter your preference.

Excellent Films and Excellent Value for Money
If you haven't seen 'The Mummy' and it's fantastic sequel, 'The Mummy Returns' then you've really missed out on two of the most brilliant action/adventure films of our time.

In 'The Mummy', ex-Foreign Legionnaire Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser), librarian, Evelyn Carnahan (Rachel Weisz) and her brother, all round scoundrel, Jonathan (John Hannah), travel to the City of the Dead, Hamunaptra. Here they accidentally unleash, Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo), a ancient Eqyptian priest who was cursed with the Hom-Dai - buried alive with flesh-eating scarabs.

For years, Hamunaptra has been guarded by the warrior descendants of the Pharoah's bodyguard who condemned Imhotep to his death, the Medjai. Their leader is, Ardeth Bay (Oded Fehr), and he joins forces with Rick and Jonathan as they try to save Evelyn from being killed by Imhotep when he kidnaps her in order to use her in a ritual that will bring back the soul of his long lost love, Anck-su-namun.

'The Mummy Returns' takes place ten years on from the original. The now married, Evelyn and Rick, along with their son, Alex, have discovered the bracelet of Anubis that once belonged to the Scorpion King. Evil doers need this bracelet to raise the army of Anubis to take over the world. In order to help them, the baddies raise, Imhotep, with the aid of a woman who is the reincarnation of Anck-su-namun.

Ardeth turns up at Rick and Evie's house in London after following the baddies there. Alex is wearing the bracelet and has started a chain reaction which leads Rick, Evie, Ardeth and Jonathan back to Egypt when the boy is kidnapped.

The special effects in these films are amazing and it's action from the word go. All the character's are very easy to like, even Imhotep is a sympathetic figure when you realise everything he did was for love.

My personal favourite though is the mysterious Medjai leader, Ardeth Bay - luckily he appears more in the sequel which was a plus for me. In fact, the character of Ardeth was going to die in the first film but, Oded Fehr, portrayed him so charismatically that the writer, Stephen Sommers, changed his mind and let him live for the sequel.

'The Mummy' DVD includes commentary from Brendan Fraser on his own or Oded Fehr, Arnold Vosloo and Kevin J.O'Connor (Beni) - I recommend listening to the three men as they are very funny and you learn alot.

The bonus disks contain many extra's including outtakes (from 'The Mummy Returns' - look out for the Star Trek homage), interviews with the writer, Stephen Sommers and The Rock (Scorpion King), facts on Egpyt and a music video.

There's so much on them that it'll keep you busy for hours. Plus, the case it comes in is also well thought out and the disks actually form part of a big picture that opens out.

This really is excellent value for money, well packaged and extremely interesting. Buy it, you won't be disappointed.

A collection for all!
These films are two films that should not be missed by any. The Mummy is romance, comedy and adventure all rolled into one, with The Mummy Returns packing in the same kind of stuff. In The Mummy, you see how the characters meet, and you are taken on a whirlwind adventure, with surprises on the way. This film is what inspires you to see the next one. The Mummy Returns is how the characters are 10 years later, all related with a few new ones, and it provides the same laughs and adventure that the first one did. Both storylines were carefully thought out, and produced in an amazing way!
With strong characters like Brendan Fraser as Rick and Rachel Weisz as Evy, they bring both films together. The special effects for both are also amazing. Creatures that you know are not real, look like they are and some amazing scenes are done that you would hardly believe are not reality. These films are a must see for everyone, and a collection that is needed for all!