The first Universal Blu-Ray titles that HD fans have been waiting for are about to be released and Universal has done an outstanding job with the picture, sound and extras on each disc. They have also reasonably priced the discs for added value.
First up is "The Mummy" series from director/writer Stephen Sommers with stars Brendan Frasier and Rachel Weisz. Sommers set out to recreate the classic film of the 30's, update it and add state of the art effects, action, and a bit of humor thrown in. Universal is releasing these films to coincide with the new Mummy film about to hit theaters.
Frasier plays a rogue adventurer who is sprung out of prison by librarian Weisz in order to seek out a hidden city in the desert containing treasure while competing with another party of treasure seeking Americans. What they find is an undead spirit (Arnold Vosloo) who has come back to life to seek out and resurrect his lover from 3000 BC, when they were both mummified alive for killing the Pharoah over their forbidden love.
While the Mummy begins as very little flesh and bone, he sucks the life out of victims and slowly gains more and more body parts until he is whole again and very powerful. There are also a bunch of flesh eating beetles that reek havoc with certain characters in the film.
While this all sounds rather gruesome, the humor and sidelines in the story keep the film lighthearted and moving along at a quick pace.
The 1080p picture is outstanding; sharp as a tack and intense in color saturation. Fine detail is apparant is just about every scene that is not present on the standard dvd. Add to that a powerful DTS HDMA lossless soundtrack and you have a great reference disc to show off your system.
Extras included a picture in picture commentary and u control, where you can watch extras while watching the film. Among the features (all in 480i) are a documentary on the origins of the Mummy films, visual and special effects formation, storyboard to film comparison, commentaries, photo montage, deleted scenes, and part one of a making of feature. You also get a sneak peek at the upcoming film "Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor" and movie money to see the film. It's a very nice package of extras and should keep you busy well past your first viewing of the disc.
Universal, last to join the Blu-ray group, has jumped in with both feet with their debut discs and Blu-Ray fans will certainly be happy to see these discs finally arrive with a very impressive debut on the format. Great picture and sound, entertaining film series, 1.1 features and a lot of them, plus a reasonable price make this a definite buy.
