The Mummy (PG-13)

A cut above most action films. Not for children.

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About Our Ratings
Common Sense rates it
4
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: Universal Pictures
  • Directed By: Stephen Sommers
  • Cast: Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz
  • Running Time: 124 minutes
  • Release Date: 05/07/1999
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 12/19/1999
  • Genre: Action/adventure
  • MPAA Rating: PG-13
  • MPAA Explanation: pervasive adventure violence and some partial nudity

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this film is extremely violent. Men are killed by gunfire, sword wounds, fatal acid, insect bites, and numerous magical plagues. There is virtually no blood or gore and much of the violence is directed toward the "undead," whose bones shatter when struck with swords or fists. In a series of scenes, many characters (including the lead) drink shots of bourbon whiskey. A man stumbles drunk throughout the film and another vocally lusts after the whiskey. Parents should know this film fully deserves a PG-13 rating. It's inappropriate for young children.

Families can talk about the way women and indigenous people are portrayed in this film. How does Evie's strength as a scholarly, cultured, bi-racial librarian compare to other lead female roles in cinema today? How are people of different races depicted? Are they respectful of their cultures?

Message

Social Behavior:

Beyond the drinking, there is not much offensive behavior. Some of the main characters betray others or leave each other behind. Americans (shown mostly as cowboys) were portrayed as less clever, noble, or powerful than the rest. People of color are treated with respect.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

The Mummy is a violent film. Beyond the intense gunfire, swordplay and fist-fighting, there are scenes, such as a man's insides being eaten alive by a killer beetle, that can be startling to both children and adults.

Sex

None, save for very mild kissing and slightly revealing outfits.

Language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Adam Perry

In THE MUMMY, Rick O'Connell (Brendan Frasier) leads Evie and her brother to the lost city of Hamunaptra where they discover treasure that accidentally awakens a three thousand-year-old cursed mummy. The undead creature is bent on resurrecting his mummified girlfriend using Bible-size plagues and undead armies. This film is filled with rich content and is a worthy heir to the action-adventure/archaeology-meets-swashbuckling genre made famous by Harrison Ford in the Indiana Jones series.

Is it any good?

4
Action, comedy, and the captivating romance between O'Connell and Evie are at the heart of The Mummy. At times, the out-of-this-world special effects and battle-sequences have one longing for the old-school charm of Lawrence of Arabia or The Ten Commandments. Regardless, this film is extremely exciting, and at times educational. Its juxtaposition of intricate Egyptian history and spirituality, with contemporary Hollywood spirit, might inspire teens to study Egyptian history and spirituality.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 10 reviews.

5


Posted on 06/24/08 by bibliophile Kid contributor, age 15

AAAAAAAHHH!!!

I LOVED THIS MOVIE! There is some swearing, a bit of violence, though nothing very explicit, and the princess comes out in the beginning of the movie basically wearing a net and we see her bare backside a few times as well. Basically, you really need to know your kid (if that is who is watching it : )
Age 13+
3


Posted on 05/25/08 by Tsion Adult contributor

Scary, Suspensful, Scary, Action-Packed, and did I say Scary?

THE MUMMY is well worth viewing. The spectacular special effects and so-so (closer to the good side) acting keep you on the edge of your seat. Rachel Weisz is the best as the heroine. But it's not for the sensitive. Flesh-eating bugs, mummified corpses, and stringy flesh await you in this flick. But the good news: no sex, besides for some mildly revealing Egyptian outfits. Mild langauge like scattered "d**n"s. Violence is huge, with guns, swords, spears, and bug-spitting mummies. But none of it's very graphic. Worth watching, but not for all. Recommended.
Age 13+
2

Posted on 05/09/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Not a "family" movie!

I was surprised at the amount of violence, especially the death of minor characters, in this film. In addition to the violence, there were many gross/gory images that don't seem appropriate for kids. Some occultic elements too. Brendan Fraiser is great and there are some fun moments in the movie but I'm sure not interested in seeing the sequel.
4

Posted on 04/10/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

lots of people killed in battles from both gunfire and soards can be gross at points(dead boddies seen/bug cralling around under skinn seen twice/ kife stuck into guys sholder to remove shoulder)may be scarry at points otherwise it was a great movie
3

Posted on 01/24/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 15

a good exciting film for cheap thrills

this was a pretty good movie. I mean it's your typical action movie, kinda typical but fun. I gotta say though i was kinda surprised cause it grossed me out a little. And it's a big deal for me to get grossed out by this because I've seen all your typical slasher movies like "Halloween" and "Scream" and didn't flinch. It's not good for kids though actually even though you feel like your watching a movie meant for kids. the mummy kills it's victems by sucking off thier skin and theres carniverous beetles that get inside your body and eat out your insides. Ugh i still can't shake the image of that beetle from my mind.
Age 11+
3


Posted on 12/17/07 by Rocky4228 Adult contributor

Age 13+
4


Posted on 11/03/07 by trojan51 Adult contributor

Age 13+
5


Posted on 11/02/06 by Rachel D Adult contributor

Fun for older teens/adults

A great mix of adventure, comedy and just enough to scare you. Fun and harmless.
3


Posted on 06/07/06 by bubbo Kid contributor, age 13

Um...its not evil

I don't really know what the other person is saying, there's nothing evil about the Mummy. Anyways, its a moderately thrilling fantasy horror/adventure. It's pretty cheesy and isn't very scary, but was a fun movie to watch for some cheap thrills. Good for a rental. Good for kids: 11+
0

Posted on 12/25/05 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13

Evil

See all 10 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 5 reviews.

Age 13+
3


Posted on 05/25/08 by Tsion Adult contributor

Scary, Suspensful, Scary, Action-Packed, and did I say Scary?

THE MUMMY is well worth viewing. The spectacular special effects and so-so (closer to the good side) acting keep you on the edge of your seat. Rachel Weisz is the best as the heroine. But it's not for the sensitive. Flesh-eating bugs, mummified corpses, and stringy flesh await you in this flick. But the good news: no sex, besides for some mildly revealing Egyptian outfits. Mild langauge like scattered "d**n"s. Violence is huge, with guns, swords, spears, and bug-spitting mummies. But none of it's very graphic. Worth watching, but not for all. Recommended.
Age 13+
2

Posted on 05/09/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Not a "family" movie!

I was surprised at the amount of violence, especially the death of minor characters, in this film. In addition to the violence, there were many gross/gory images that don't seem appropriate for kids. Some occultic elements too. Brendan Fraiser is great and there are some fun moments in the movie but I'm sure not interested in seeing the sequel.
Age 11+
3


Posted on 12/17/07 by Rocky4228 Adult contributor

Age 13+
4


Posted on 11/03/07 by trojan51 Adult contributor

Age 13+
5


Posted on 11/02/06 by Rachel D Adult contributor

Fun for older teens/adults

A great mix of adventure, comedy and just enough to scare you. Fun and harmless.

Kids Reviews

There are 5 reviews.

5


Posted on 06/24/08 by bibliophile Kid contributor, age 15

AAAAAAAHHH!!!

I LOVED THIS MOVIE! There is some swearing, a bit of violence, though nothing very explicit, and the princess comes out in the beginning of the movie basically wearing a net and we see her bare backside a few times as well. Basically, you really need to know your kid (if that is who is watching it : )
4

Posted on 04/10/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

lots of people killed in battles from both gunfire and soards can be gross at points(dead boddies seen/bug cralling around under skinn seen twice/ kife stuck into guys sholder to remove shoulder)may be scarry at points otherwise it was a great movie
3

Posted on 01/24/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 15

a good exciting film for cheap thrills

this was a pretty good movie. I mean it's your typical action movie, kinda typical but fun. I gotta say though i was kinda surprised cause it grossed me out a little. And it's a big deal for me to get grossed out by this because I've seen all your typical slasher movies like "Halloween" and "Scream" and didn't flinch. It's not good for kids though actually even though you feel like your watching a movie meant for kids. the mummy kills it's victems by sucking off thier skin and theres carniverous beetles that get inside your body and eat out your insides. Ugh i still can't shake the image of that beetle from my mind.
3


Posted on 06/07/06 by bubbo Kid contributor, age 13

Um...its not evil

I don't really know what the other person is saying, there's nothing evil about the Mummy. Anyways, its a moderately thrilling fantasy horror/adventure. It's pretty cheesy and isn't very scary, but was a fun movie to watch for some cheap thrills. Good for a rental. Good for kids: 11+
0

Posted on 12/25/05 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13

Evil

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