I guess the mission statement for Disney lately is to modernize a lot of their classics, no matter how big or small by—copying them to the tee. “Under Wraps” is the much anticipated remake of the original 1997 TV movie that doesn’t realty offer a new angle toward the movie. Even though it’s a perfectly good Halloween treat and solid DCOM, it misses out on emphasizing the more emotional themes the original didn’t.
Set a few days before Halloween, 12-year-old friends Gilbert, Marshall and Amy accidentally revive a mummy they discover in a neighbor’s basement, which they affectionately name Harold. However, they must rush to return him to his resting place before midnight on Halloween. Along the way, the team narrowly escapes a nefarious group of criminals intent on selling the mummy to the highest bidder. When Harold is inevitably captured, Marshall, Gilbert and Amy must band together to stand up to the criminals, face their fears and rescue their new—but rather “ancient”—friend.”
Alex Zamm’s remake is a pretty standard carbon copy right down to the characters. Which is not to say it’s a bad movie, but this version is a lot more polished, and energetic; the mummy Harold is also a lot more engaging this time around. Nothing against Bill Fagerbakke but Phil Wright just seems to realize the lovable monster a lot more. He also integrates a lot of his own dance experience to make the monster more fleshed out and comedic in many instances. The primary goal for this remake seems to be diversity as this new cast is so much more modern than the original.
That’s neither a con nor a pro to be honest, it just all depends on which movie you prefer at the end of the day. That said, the injection of diversity benefits the movie pretty well as the young cast do a bang up job in their respective roles. Of course Disney stuffs the cast with Disney Channel regulars, but they seem to be having a good time. “Under Wraps” is a Halloween soaked horror fantasy like the original and I wish it emphasized the whole divorced parents’ angle a lot more this time out. The original didn’t really tap in to the whole idea of adjusting to a parents divorce, and this one doesn’t spend a lot of time on the themes, either.
It’s just a major missed opportunity. In either case, “Under Wraps” is a perfectly fine, charming movie just like the original was a perfectly fine charming movie. It all just boils down to which one you prefer when all is said and done.