The Mummy (2017) Parent Guide

Soldier of fortune Nick Morton (Tom Cruise), along with his partner Chris Vail (Jake Johnson) dig up more than they bargained for when they become distracted from their military duties in the Middle East. Inside a deep pit revealed after an air strike, the two treasure hunters discover an Egyptian sarcophagus sunk deep inside a pool of mercury. They are eager to get their hands on anything of value within the cavern, until their impulses are stopped short by the arrival of Jenny Halsey (Annabelle Wallis), a British archeologist and officer of Cultural Heritage.

Despite her concern for the preservation of historic artifacts, Nick uses his pistol to move along their investigation of the rare find. The impulsive bullet unwittingly sets in motion a series of events that awaken Ahmanet (Sofia Boutella), an ancient Egyptian princess who’s hopes of being pharaoh were dashed when her father finally had a son. Getting a second chance for power thanks to Nick’s reckless shot, the bandaged seductress promises him special considerations. It’s a favor Nick has no choice but to accept, even though it comes with a curse and her ability to manipulate his mind.

Between being entombed alive and losing the gender lottery, Ahmanet is full of girl-done-wrong anger and is ready to unleash it on the modern world. Sucking the life out of anyone who comes too close, she soon cuts the apron strings to her mummy-past and begins a mission toward becoming an eternal god. But first, in typical movie plot tradition, she must collect a couple of key objects: A dagger and a red jewel that sits atop the hilt of the weapon. With these in place, her reign of angst for the eternities will be made certain.

Of course, Nick and Jenny are not about to let her achieve her goal without a fight. Jenny even pulls in her boss (Russel Crowe) and his team of minions for reinforcements. The conflict that ensues is full of roaring, screaming and disturbing digital imagery. Ahmanet’s ability to suck the life out of others (leaving them looking like sun dried tomatoes), or bring life back to the dead (depicted as decaying corpses) enables her to assemble a group of zombie helpers. And dealing with immortal beings in the movies always comes down to who can hit or knock the other against stone walls the hardest. This gives Cruise ample opportunity to remind us he works out occasionally. Fortunately, the violence remains as unbelievable as the story, with no blood or explicit details.

Other concerning content includes some silhouetted nudity and sensual moments seen during depictions of Ahmanet’s ritual with the god of death and her seduction of a chosen male partner. Nick is also caught clothes-less, but no private body parts are seen. And some mild and moderate profanities are heard throughout.

An impressive re-imagination of what amounts to the matinee monster movie, The Mummy remembers its heritage and doesn’t take itself too seriously. Cruise and company do their best to maintain a balance between the end-of-the-world mayhem and a recognition that their impending doom should also be fun. And, for the most part, it is a popcorn-worthy adventure that may appeal to both teens and adults.

On the downside, too many scenes are wrapped up in a barrage of CGI effects that, along with a pounding musical score, prevent us from engaging with the performers and caring about whether they live or die. Come to think about it, such issues don’t really matter because you’ll most certainly get another chance to revisit this Tom Cruise vehicle when it resurrects in a promised sequel. Title guess? I’m betting The Mummy Returns… Again.

About author

Rod Gustafson

Rod Gustafson has worked in various media industries since 1977. He founded Parent Previews in 1993, and today continues to write and broadcast the reviews in newspapers, on radio and (of course) on the Internet. His efforts also include writing and researching media in all its forms and observing how it effects society and culture. He and his wife Donna have four children.