The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
TheUniversal Monstershave been cinema classic since the 1930s , but how have they do throughout the 21stcentury ?
Although not critically clap , 1999’sThe Mummystruck a chord with flick leaver with its 1920sarchaeology - breathe in blowout . Leads Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz had splendid chemistry , riff off one another ’s personal appeal . The Mummyquickly became a cult classic , the first contemporary Universal movie monster remake since 1979’sDracula .
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As cinematic universe prove themselves the next major movement , Universal tried dunk its toe in the water with the Dark Universe , a shared population of classical movie monstrosity . The franchisenever really took off , two false starts force the production party to reevaluate its expression . It finally hit on a winning combination in 2020 withThe Invisible Man , which grossed 14 times its output budget within its first two weekends onscreen . As the movie ’s success has audience wondering about thefuture of the Dark Universe , it is worth postulate the meter to look back and place Universal ’s 21stCentury movie monsters to understand what has worked , and what has n’t .
7. The Mummy (2017)
A motion picture so forged it definitively ended the Dark Universe ’s possible action for a partake ogre universe , The Mummyranks at the bottom . Its attempts to integrate a panoptic universe through Dr. Jekyll ( Russell Crowe)felt convolutedwhile its advanced metropolis setting bequeath it lack the Indiana Jones “ treasure Orion ” charm of the 1999 adaptation . It seriously missed out in concenter its perspective on Nick ( Tom Cruise ) when Ahmanet , ( Sofia Boutella ) the eponymous character , had the more interesting storyline to follow .
6. The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor (2008)
Maria Bello did n’t do a bad line of work playact Evelyn O’Connell , but Weisz was certainly missed , with Bello and Fraser lackingthe same interpersonal chemistry . WhileThe Mummymovies were always campy , Tomb Of The Dragon Emperorwas less fun and more cheesy . transfer the background to China provided a new , unique angle that was alas swim out by corny one - liners andmediocre CGI .
5. Dracula Untold (2014)
Dracula Untoldtook the same classic - story - into - field of honor approach asSnow White And The Huntsmen , pulling it off better but stillnot quite successfully . With Dracula such a well - known graphic symbol , secern his story from a new slant was an interesting estimate . However , Vlad the Impaler ’s ( Luke Evans ) source story cease up mediocre , following a fine but cooky - cutter storytelling approach .
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4. The Wolfman (2010)
WhileThe Wolfmanwas critically panned , it had several element that work in its favour . Benicio del Toro does a terrific caper both as Lawrence the man and the Wolfman . The flick does n’t aim past predictable concerning its plot , but as a horror film , it definitely manages to surrender on a handful of scare that make it a fun movie - keep an eye on experience .
3. Van Helsing (2004)
It might seem scandalous to place a moving picture that has a 24 % on Rotten Tomatoes this gamy on the lean , butVan Helsingis a cult classic for a reason . It is a fun , cheesy tomboy that perfectly sympathize the level it ’s shoot for for . Plus , Van Helsingdid a safe chore ofintegrating Universal movie monstersonto one silver screen than any of the official Dark Universe movies have been able to achieve .
2. The Mummy Returns (2001)
The Mummy Returnscaptures many of the same charming story and note beat from the original . Dwayne The Rock Johnson plays an excellently camp Scorpio King while the bangle that ca n’t be detached subplot added the right level of tension . Although the consolidation ofO’Connell ’s son , Alex(Freddie Boath ) , makes the movie a little less re - watchable than the original , it was certainly an appealing summation for the movie ’s younger audiences .
1. The Invisible Man (2020)
Psychological horror , nuanced dissection of genial health and abuse , fabulously play portrayal of paranoia and gaslighting : The Invisible Manleaves little elbow room for ailment . Deviating from thefailed path of former Dark Universe films , it saw Universal teaming up with horror vet Blumhouse to make a film that is standalone and terrifying . Its rousing success among audiences and critic paves the way forward for next Dark Universe portrayals of classicUniversalMonsters .
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