First of all let me say that I love this stupid movie! I probably watch it 3-4 times a year whenever I’m in the mood for some sub par horror based entertainment. I actually made myself watch it twice in a row just to write this article. You see, a true critic can see a difference between what they like and what is good and if you think both are synonymous then you should not be a critic. Using mummy films as an example, I know Boris Karloff’s The Mummy is the best film within the genre, but personally I much prefer the Lon Chaney Jr. mummy movies. However, when I look at the acting, the storyline, etc. I can easily tell that the Karloff version is the superior film. Remember that although an art form, in the end good cinema should entertain you and make you want to revisit it. You can enjoy Scream Of The Mummy just as much as you enjoy Citizen Kane, just don’t go on IMDb and give both movies a perfect 10. Speaking of IMDb, this film briefly held the #1 spot on the IMDb 250 worst movies of all time so don’t expect Karloff OR Kane.
The plot here is your standard slasher/monster movie idea. Young adults in an isolated locale being stalked and killed off one by one on a dark and stormy night. There are some hints of sex and partying, but for once these kids aren’t being slaughtered for their vices. They’re actually part of what could be the end of the world according to ancient Aztec legend. You see, for some reason some scrawny, nerdy white guy with dirty blond hair is a descendant of Aztec priests (must be 974th generation then) and he must make a virgin sacrifice to Tlaloc. Goofy and unoriginal I know, but there are plenty of good points about the film as well.First there’s the location shooting in a Mexican desert. This helps with the realism of the setting and with the bare bones cast of 9 people which allows us to get to know the characters. The characters are another terrific aspect of this movie. Granted, Jeff Peterson as Don is the ONLY person here who can act, but it’s the other cast members that I love even more. Love to hate that is, as each character seems more annoying than the next with Michael Lutz as Morris at the top of the moronic heap. So why is this a good thing? Because I WANT to see these people get slaughtered. I want to see them sliced and chopped apart by a cool Aztec dagger held by a big fat mummy. This aspect of the film reminded me of the old Universal horrors where for the most part the monster is misunderstood and abused and you wanted to see those paranoid, conservative villagers get killed. Rooting for the monster or the villain is always fun, but too many films from Dawn Of The Dead to Halloween to Friday The 13th have some really good actors and likeable characters that you feel sorry for and you hope for their safety. Not the case with Ancient Evil Scream Of The Mummy…I want to see every one of these kids drop dead!
Finally, I have to say, I love this fat ass mummy! I’ve never read if they simply hired an actor with a big old gut or if there was some problem with the costume, but this mummy is built like a nose tackle with a wicked Pabst Blue Ribbon habit. Hey, as a nose tackle sized guy myself I’m glad to see a man with a big swollen belly instead of typically shaped monster. Also the makeup applied to the face of the mummy is some of the best I’ve ever seen. A superb job of showing decay in a bone dry climate and it’s look plays wonderfully off the lightning strikes in this film. Yes, those are some good points of the movie, but don’t think for a minute I’m telling you to watch it as you would a good movie. Go in with low expectations and enjoy the film for what it is…a super low budget, poorly acted horror flick with a chubby mummy that you and your friends can get stoned and laugh at. I like the movie a lot more than that, but I surely don’t expect you to have the same eccentric tastes as me. Just check it out sometime if you like mummies, 90s horror cinema or Z grade films. I’m sure it’s probably on You Tube, but the DVD can usually be had for 5 bucks. Don’t steal it, I assure you it will give you at least 6 bucks worth the entertainment in return...
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| Wake up fat boy! |
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