Under Wraps (2021)

Premiering on October 25, 1997, “Under Wraps” was the initial Disney Channel Original Movie. Alex DiVincenzo said in his review, “The cornerstone of the network’s programming proved to be as close to appointment viewing as it got for ‘90s kids, along with the likes of ABC’s TGIF and Nickelodeon’s SNICK. Moreover, Under Wraps served as a gateway to horror for many millennials. Before the age of streaming, catching a mummy movie on the same channel where you watched Disney cartoons and Boy Meets World reruns could have been your first exposure to the macabre.”

Disney tried to recapture the effect with the 2021 “Under Wraps” remake. The original movie was successful, and holds up 28 years later, for a lot of reasons. Relatable kid protagonists, a great Halloween atmosphere, and a sense of humor that is meant for them. Director/co-writer Alex Zamm and co-writer William Robertson intelligently keep those elements for the new remake.

Actually, all the major bullets from the original film – written by Don Rhymer and directed by Greg Beeman – are still there in the remake. Though both films are harmless, the original had a little edge to it…as far as ‘90s made-for-TV kids movies go, anyway. DiVincenzo said, “The remake is sanitized to favor playful hijinks over perceived danger.”

12-year-olds Marshall (Malachi Barton) and Gilbert (Christian J. Simon) are best friends even though they are insanely against their views on horror movies. Marshall is a huge fan of them, while Gilbert is afraid of his own shadow. When they believe their scary neighbor, Kubot (Brent Stait), of stealing an ancient Egyptian mummy, the boys join with their new classmate, Amy (Sophia Hammons), to sneak into his house, accidentally bringing the mummy back to life with an amulet.

Like many of fiction’s best monster, the mummy – named Harold, in honor to Marshall’s hot sauce loving grandfather, played by Phil Wright – is not as scary as he looks. He’s just misunderstood. The kids secretly become friends with the lovable mummy, making a friendship similar to “The Monster Squad.” When learning that Harold only wants to be reunited with his spouse, they help him on his mission. However, it’s easier said than done, as Kubot and his men are right behind them, and they only have until the end of Halloween to return him to his sarcophagus or he’ll turn to dust.

DiVincenzo said, “Most of the tweaks to the material serve to contemporize it. The fish-out-of-water element is played up with Harold encountering modern amenities like an autonomous vacuum and Siri-esque technology.” The cast is also more diverse: Marshall is of Hispanic heritage, Gilbert and Marshall’s mother’s (Jordana Largy) boyfriend (Jaime M. Callica) are Black, Amy’s father is gay, and the horror monster expert the kids trust (Melanie Brook) is a young woman.

Along with the Mummy in his life, Marshall has the usual adolescent problems like having difficulty accepting his parents’ divorce and trouble with the school bully, played by Josh Zaharia. The three child actors are likable and have a natural bond. DiVincenzo said, “Stait, a veteran character actor, chews the scenery appropriately, while Wright utilizes his dance choreographer background to bring the mummy to life. The mummy makeup design by Joel Echallier (1922, Freaks) is standard but effective, featuring an off-set jaw.”

“Under Wraps” doesn’t give any major changes to defend its existence. DiVincenzo said, “It’s more like Disney dug up the film’s mummified remains and gave its sarcophagus a fresh coat of paint — and there’s nothing inherently wrong with that.”

I know this remake isn’t all that good, but if you put this on for your kids, I think they’ll enjoy it just fine. Check it out on Disney+ if you want and see for yourself.

Surprisingly, this remake had a sequel. Stay tuned tomorrow to see how that is in “Disney Month 2025.”