Walking down the theater aisle holding a bucket of popcorn, eager to watch “Lee Cronin’s The Mummy,” you might find yourself pondering a significant question: “Who is Lee Cronin?” Alongside this inquiry, you may wonder about the absence of Brendan Fraser, the connection (or lack thereof) to the 1999 film “The Mummy,” and the failed 2017 Universal Dark Universe reboot. How did Warner Bros. produce this movie without ties to the previous Mummy franchise and upcoming revival? And again, who exactly is Lee Cronin?
Lee Cronin serves as the writer-director of the film, but let’s set aside the backstage complexities for now and delve into the myriad challenges Cronin presents on screen. The plot unfolds with an Egyptian family exuding joy, except for a troubled mother who remains hostile towards her children’s happiness and unfazed by unsettling occurrences like their pet bird bleeding from its beak.
However, the story swiftly transitions to an American family in Egypt, led by aspiring journalist Charlie Cannon striving for a better life in New York for his pregnant wife and children. Amidst a sudden disappearance and subsequent events, the narrative weaves through different timelines and character dynamics, introducing new faces and resurrecting a scarred, eerie version of Katie.
This intricate tale involves human trafficking, ancient curses, and a deeply disturbed Katie exhibiting peculiar behaviors like crawling in walls and craving slimy creatures. This sets the stage for a possession-themed narrative entwined with Egyptian mummy elements, sporadically touching on themes of family bonds, mistrust, and abandonment.
When initially announced, Cronin emphasized that “Lee Cronin’s The Mummy” would diverge from traditional Mummy films. Despite potential ties to Universal’s historic monster movies, including “The Mummy,” this production stands independently from the studio’s cinematic universe. The movie’s inception stemmed from Universal’s collaboration with Blumhouse Productions, marking a shift towards lower-budget variations of classic monster tales following the setback of the 2017 Dark Universe reboot.
Although rumors speculate connections between Universal’s Mummy legacy and Cronin’s creation, the film’s narrative remains detached from prior franchises. This ambiguity coincides with Universal’s ongoing reboot of the Mummy series, now featuring Brendan Fraser, adding to the confusion surrounding Cronin’s rendition.
While some conjecture suggests that the film underwent significant revisions post-testing due to poor reception, Cronin refutes these claims, asserting that the final product aligns with his original vision. Despite this assurance, “Lee Cronin’s The Mummy” faces criticism for its disjointed storytelling, lack of innovation, and reliance on horror cliches, resulting in a narrative that struggles to resonate with audiences beyond shock value.
In essence, the movie attempts to explore familial horror akin to acclaimed titles like “Sinister” but falls short in delivering a compelling and coherent narrative. Despite its shortcomings, the film offers a gruesome spectacle for those seeking visceral thrills.
