Universal Studios Hollywood | Revenge of the Mummy-The Ride

THERE AND BACK AGAIN

Page Three

Dare enter the doorway to Imhotep's tomb and prepare to suffer the REVENGE OF THE MUMMY.

RAIDING THE TOMB

Entering the stone archway carved out of an otherwise modern stucco-texture building, it feels more like you're entering a museum exhibit than the ancient desert tomb of a cursed mummy — amid the bright California sunshine, you instantly shift from zero percent theme to 100 by crossing the threshold. Prior to this important step forward, only the outdoor speakers emitting the Mummy movie soundtrack clue you in to the thematic world of the show. [Certainly the gigantic "Thunderbirds" billboards overhead don't get you in the Mummy mood!] This literal threshold is an abrupt transition to be sure, but not uncommon for Universal which, overall, tends to emphasize the movie magic and special effects at hand, paying less attention (and less money) on elaborately decorated pre-show queues and holding areas. This is an observation, not a judgment: your mileage and preference will vary, this information's presented for what it's worth.

Note that the spookier mood music and sound effects begin immediately upon entering this first narrow hallway, formed by walls carved with hieroglyph symbols, all dimly lit with simulated torch and lantern light. Imhotep's deep, evil laughter punctuates screams and whimpers of his victims somewhere deeper in the tomb ahead. It's effective enough for a hallway, if a bit reminiscent of the equally moody and more spacious queue corridors in Disneyland's Indiana Jones Adventure — mostly in its psychological function, though the abandoned temple theme carries inevitable cross-references.

I was glad to see this close-quarters hall when it's new and pristine . . . and I sure hope the 'stone' workers mixed up a tough batch to texture coat these walls, because the very narrow envelope will allow millions of guest fingers to pick, poke and pull at every glyph. Job security for the maintenance crew, to be sure! Let's just hope the attraction decor doesn't look centuries old by the end of its first year.

Also, entering the show building queue marks the first and most dominant difference in theme between the Hollywood and Orlando versions of the MUMMY ride: Florida guests enter the world of a "new" Mummy sequel being filmed in the sound stage, so the pre-show is themed as a movie set with supposed props and displays from the film production. Eventually, the set somehow morphs into the actual Mummy's tomb — I haven't experienced this yet for myself, but it sounds like an elaborate and tough story point to sell to the audience . . . perhaps a bit too high a concept to sustain belief in either thematic illusion?

Here in California, with square footage at high premium, Universal opts to abandon the convoluted transformation idea and let guests walk right into the forbidden Egyptian tomb itself. It's certainly a more economical approach, since the interior queue space is so small by comparison. There's simply no time to play complex head games with fake movie sets and transportation to ancient times: USH gets right down to the business, planting the seeds of fear into guests' minds, which is indeed the purpose and aim of this new attraction — a psychological thrill coaster. Not having seen the Orlando ride yet, I can't compare results between the two, but I can say that the Hollywood pre-show concept and queue work well enough to set up the attraction. Given the relatively small footprint this ride occupies, that's all one can expect.

Rounding the first bend of this creepy corridor, brave explorers can test their nerve by sticking their hand in a hole cut out of the stone wall. Unfortunate (or persistent) hands will get a mild surprise and disturb a nearby colony of scarab beetles — just one of the mildly interactive elements peppered through the pre-show to keep guests entertained and on edge during their wait. A bit later, a small stone alcove hosts the infamous Book of the Dead, which when touched by a fated hand will awaken disembodied moans and voices that echo through the chamber.

Guests then pass a small wall opening revealing a tomb and golden sarcophagus, its shattered lid implies some unseen creature has recently burst through from inside. Next to the exploded coffin lays a skeletal corpse, a decayed ruin of some unlucky treasure hunter perhaps? Whomever it was, the evil force which escaped its tomb killed this intruder in his tracks . . . is this a fate to be shared by we visitors now intruding upon the Mummy's ancient sand trap?

Unwary visitors intruding on the Mummy's tomb soon learn that the dead do rise.

Alas, these subtle mysteries are only prelude to the central focus of this switchback area: the pre-show video presentation, which appears circumscribed in a large decorated ring suspended by two imposing statues. Now I didn't get to view the entire video presentation because the line was actually moving too quickly to stay for its entire cycle. How's that for smooth ride operation? But it appears to me that this screen is intended to resemble one of the mirrors used in the first film to reflect sunlight into the deepest darkness of the subterranean chambers. Think back as well to the original Karloff Mummy film from the 30s, where he shows visions to his resurrected princess in a large bowl of misty water, then turn the gimmick vertical to get idea as used in the attraction. I plan a return visit soon to experience the ride again and dig into these details more thoroughly, so expect an update to correct any errors or omissions.

In any case, the video itself is well produced, written and edited, combining new material shot for the ride with the most menacing clips from the original Mummy film. A hooded figure (who doesn't appear particularly Egyptian, just old and wrinkled . . . with perfect teeth) orates warnings to the tomb trespassers that Imhotep lives still, and his powerful wrath will seek vengeance upon all souls who do not join his quest to rule the world of the living.

Supporting this slightly revised but well integrated curse into the existing Mummy backstory, film clips illustrate: Imhotep's regeneration from a decayed carcass into a fully fleshed villain; his unleashing of ancient plagues upon the world; and ultimately casting darkness across the globe. This blending of old and new material isn't novel by itself, but the creative team executes it very well — offering multiple angles on the Mummy curse concept, imparted with a relentless narrative of doom and gloom that amps up the drama surrounding the ride and no doubt feeds the anxiety of intimidated riders-to-be. I add that the even during my short stop in this room, the video lasted much longer than I would have guessed — a pleasant and fan-indulgent surprise for visitors.

Two small faults I have with the production: first, the white Egyptian-ish ghostly figures come off as pale imitations of the Biblical spectres seen in the Raiders of the Lost Ark finale, and even less effectively, they're basically talking heads with wind blowing past them and a slight effects warp to their faces. The pharaonic mime look just didn't impress me, compared to how well the rest of the video was done. In sharp contrast, the sound design of this room gives those pale ghosts' voices a very ethereal mix, as if their echoing words swim through the air itself, surrounding guests as they watch. Excellent audio presentation of these phantoms, it's just a little disappointing that their faces and actions don't quite match the level of menace intended. Second, whatever the concept behind this presentation prop, the video's full effect gets spoiled by the shiny surface of the screen, which bounces back reflections of the room and everyone in it over the video image. This unfortunate side effect of the technology doesn't ruin a good pre-show video, but it's a shame that it distracts from it at all.

Yet still there are brave souls who do not heed these dire words of warning, and continue on past this apocalyptic prophecy, forging foolishly onward toward the ride of their lives . . . for as the Mummy's curse foretells: Death is only the beginning!