You’ve probably seen at least one of the many Brendan Fraser characters that he created in the 1990s and 2000s. Hollywood’s favourite lunkhead brought ridiculous characters to life, such as Encino Man or George in the Jungle. He wasn’t just a comedic actor. In addition to his more comedic roles, Fraser was given the opportunity to show off his dramatic skills in films such as Gods and Monsters and School Ties . Brendan Fraser’s popularity in the 90s was due to his unique ability to strike a balance. The actor was a combination of a Hollywood classic leading man, and character actor who could handle physical comedy with ease.
Fraser was always going to be the star of an action film because his physical performance made it inevitable. In 1999, Stephen Sommers remake of Universal Horror’s classic The Mummy gave him his chance.
Fraser stars as Rick O’Connell in Stephen Sommers’ movie. He is a former French Foreign Legion member. He stumbles across the lost city Hamunaptra during a battle. It is the resting place for the titular Imhotep mummy. Rick, who was saved from death by Evelyn’s (Rachel Weisz), an amateur Egyptologist and Egyptologist at heart, agrees to bring her to Hamunaptra. She and her brother are searching for the hidden treasures of the city, which includes an Egyptian Book of the Dead. Evelyn, unaware of the real power the book holds reads the passage that revives Imhotep. Rick has to race against time in order to prevent a cascade of destruction and chaos.
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Brendan Fraser was already on the path to Hollywood fame before The Mummy. But this film would turn him into one of Hollywood’s brightest stars. The role which made him a global star is owed to Indiana Jones, another well-known action hero. Some people may say that Fraser is ripping off Harrison Ford in The Mummy, which would not be entirely incorrect. Roger Ebert explicitly stated this in the original review for the film: “Brendan Fraser is Rick, who plays a low rent Indiana Jones, fighting his way alone through an utterly bewildering set of battles.”
Fraser’s impersonation is not our favorite because it’s his worst imitation of Harrison Ford. He gives Rick a sense of warmth and amiability. Ford’s portrayal of Rick was stoic. Fraser clearly uses the Hollywood archetypes Ford created to create Indiana Jones. It’s his geniality that makes Rick stand out.
Fraser’s choice to portray this adventurer with panache and humor is what gives him that geniality. Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jonesseries has its share of hilarious moments, but Fraser is the comic character throughout. Rick’s hesitations are realistic in perilous situations. Fraser can make decisions that the audience will relate to, unlike Indiana Jones. Ford doesn’t hide his character’s vulnerabilities. But we don’t see Indiana Jones as anything other thanheroically sophisticated. Fraser is not the same. Rick is portrayed as an unwilling hero by Fraser. He can add a dash of humor to the action scenes.
The film’s final battle scene is a perfect example of this. The mummy attacks Rick as he saves Evelyn. Rick lets out a loud roar as the guards prepare to attack. The mummified guards respond with a scream of hell. After a brief pause, he muffles “Nuh-uh”, and flees.
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It’s similar to the scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark when Indiana Jones uses a gun to kill a villain with a sword, rather than engage in a potentially dangerous fight. Indiana Jones is a badass, but he’s not afraid to fight. Fraser’s Rick is not like that. It’s not his bellowing that makes us fearful, but abject humor. He knows when to run away from his enemies, rather than feigning a weak face. It’s a feeling that everyone can identify with, whether they admit it or otherwise. Fraser is a great actor for many reasons. Fraser’s character still has relatable choices, even though Rick is an action hero.
Since The Mummy we have seen new takes on Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones. From Nolan North’s Nathan Drake from the Uncharted series of video games to all that Chris Pratt aspires to be since his transformation from a loveable loser in Parks and Recreation into a blockbuster hero of action in Guardians of the Galaxy. The common thread that binds these characters is not their resemblance to Indiana Jones. Their lighthearted attitude to action is what ties these characters together. This is why the characters are more affected by Fraser’s amiability than Ford’s smoldering aura. Rick O’Connell’s coolness isn’t as apparent as Indiana Jones’. Fraser’s charm is what makes Fraser’s performance more than just a carbon-copy of Ford’s character.
Brendan Fraser’s career is reviving after it faded into relative obscurity during the mid 2000s. He has spoken in interviews to explain why he dropped off Hollywood’s radar. A combination of physical and emotional trauma. But he didn’t fall out of our hearts or minds as we grew up with the characters he portrayed in The Mummy. Fraser’s rise to Hollywood fame has been crowned with his performance in Darren Aronofsky The Whale. His work in that movie has launched him into a new stage of his career, which could lead to an Academy Award nomination. We hope he stops by to allow the audience to see him once more play Rick O’Connell.