Mummies are something that has always fascinated people. They have been part and parcel of the classic horror and adventure films. The Mummy starring Tom Cruise is to be released in the year 2017. It is supposed to be the first movie about a big, associated movie world. That World had huge stakes on this \”Dark Universe.\” The film turned into mixed opinions. What happened? Let\’s touch it and reveal why it still exists among the talking points in the society today.
A Dark Universe Excavated: Style of the Grandmasters
However, Universal had even grander ideas. They planned to create a shared movie universe. It was much more akin to the Marvels movies but not the name of monsters of the classical cinema.
Concept of the Shared Universe
The marvel cinematic universe (MCU) made everybody wannabe to do it well. Every movie is linked with others. Characters cross over; plots somehow intertwine. Dark Universe hoped for the same success as it intended on bringing Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Wolfman together. The Mummy was intended to kick off this universe.
Characters and Movies Intended
Dark Universe was supposed to be put with some major stars like Johnny Depp as the Invisible Man and Javier Bardem would play Frankenstein\’s monster. How is it going to fit in? The big plans that the studio had did not go very far.
Plot Breakdown: Cruise versus the Ancient Curse
The Mummy (2017) features ancient evil\’s tale. That is why Nick Morton (Tom Cruise) happens to be the soldier who discovers a tomb. Inside that tomb rests Princess Ahmanet-the Egyptian mummy.
The Accidental Discovery of Nick Morton
Nick accidentally wakes up Ahmanet. This catapults a whole chain of events. So, he is tied to her destiny. And this accident altered his life forever.
Venom of Ahmanet: The Quest for the Dagger
Ahmanet seeks revenge. She was betrayed in her own time. She requires a special dagger to release the god Set. Ahmanet would go to any length to achieve her goals. Nick would have to stop her before she destroys the world.
Critical Response: Tomb of Criticism or Buried Treasure?
For the most part, critics had something to talk about regarding The Mummy. It seems there were those who liked the movie, while there were also those who didn\’t. It was not the kind of blockbuster hit with the critics.
Negative Aspects: Pacing, Tone, Overall Overstuffed Plot
A lot said that it rushed. The tone was such all over the place. There was just so much happening at once with the story line. Some even went as far as dubbing it a mess. These affected the overall viewing experience.
Positive Elements: Cruise\’s Performance and Action Sequences
We all know he never shies away from doing action. Many said about his stunts and energy. Special effects were also pointed out as the highlights of the movie. And these indeed have given some enjoyment.
Performance at the Box Office: Did the Curse Break?
The performance of the movie has been just that there was not much magic involved, even though it did earn an amount of money in the box office. It made some money, unlike the when the money could be returned to horizon Universal in their expectation for a blockbuster. This directly hit the plans for the Dark Universe.
Inland Disappointment
On this side of the pond, The Mummy did bust, quite literally, the coffers it had filled with promise of box-office gold pouring out. Not a good sign for the Dark Universe at all.
An International Success: Light at the End of the Tunnel?
The movie, though not great, performed better overseas, especially in a country like China. Sold overseas, it paid some dues, but not enough to save the Dark Universe.
The Dark Universe\’s Collapse: What Went Wrong?
Everything was great about the dark universe but what let it down was not one thing but about the problems The Mummy brought along. So what went wrong?
Absence of Vision
Dark Universe wasn\’t created with a vision that was cohesive. Also, the films pretty much stand alone from one another. The potential for a strong, unifying vision was absent. Thus, making it difficult to forge connections in audience minds.
Too Reliant on Stars Rather Than Story
Moreover, too much attention was diverted to major star cast. The more focus taken away from any important character in a splendid story compromises.
Legacy and the Future of Mummy Films
The Mummy (2017) was to change everything for monster movies. What is in store for this movie genre? Does it still have room for more mummy films?
Impact on Mummy Filmmaking
This film ensured that studio executives thought again about mummy films. Some say it scared them off. Others think it was about turning new doors.
Future of the Universal Monsters
Universal might try that again with monsters. They might make individual movies instead of a shared world. Only time will tell what they decide.
Conclusion
The Mummy (2017) is a very ambitious project that should have been able to kickstart a giant movie universe. Unfortunately, the reviews were mixed. The Dark Universe has remained cold. The very thought takes one back to the fact that big stars and even bigger budgets cannot guarantee a successful movie. Do let us know comments on what they think about The Mummy!