MUMMY DEAREST UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD TAKES THE WRAPS OFF OF ITS NEW BLOCKBUSTER RIDE.

Byline: Jerry Rice Staff Writer

The Ride of the Living Dead.

That's how Universal Studios Hollywood is describing its new Revenge of the Mummy attraction. It's appropriate since it contains a Book of the Dead, a pair of statues with their faces hacked away and a hole in the wall exposing countless flesh-eating scarab beetles - and those items are in the queue area before the actual ride begins.

The theme is inspired by two popular movies, ``The Mummy,'' a 1999 Indiana Jones-type adventure yarn starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, and its 2001 sequel, ``The Mummy Returns.'' Like its cinematic predecessors - which earned nearly $850 million at the box office worldwide - it appears the attraction is going to be huge.

``It has the potential to be a blockbuster ride for them,'' says James Zoltak, a senior editor at the trade magazine Amusement Business.

The payoff begins Friday, when Universal adds the reported $45 million Revenge of the Mummy to its mix of movie-themed attractions that includes ``Shrek 4-D,'' Jurassic Park - The Ride and its venerable Studio Tour.

The new attraction's story line goes like this: Shortly after tomb robbers did their work in the cavernous final resting place of the menacing Imhotep, Egypt's legendary Keeper of the Dead, some unsuspecting adventure- seekers (park guests) have arrived.

Inside the dark chamber, they see the smoldering remains of the gold- digging raiders. Then comes the frightful warning: ``Death will come on swift wings to whomever violates this tomb.''

Of course, it's too late. The intruders have set off a solar eclipse and reawakened the entombed Imhotep, who bellows, ``Now your souls belong to me forever!''

The only way out - other than the way Imhotep has in mind - is a ride on 16-seat ``mine cars,'' which speed off for a scream-inducing run through a dark world.

``We worked on the story in close collaboration with the filmmakers,'' says John Murdy, the creative director at Universal's theme parks.

Those filmmakers would be Stephen Sommers, screenwriter and director of the ``Mummy'' tales, and his longtime creative partner, Bob Ducsay.

``I'm really energized to have the world of 'The Mummy' films turned into a thrilling, scary, scream-worthy ride,'' Sommers says in a release. ``This is in many ways the next sequel of 'The Mummy.' ''

Of course, during the first ``Mummy'' sequel, the movie theater's seats didn't move. This time, they go at a 45-mph clip through the cavernous sound stage that once housed the old attraction based on ``E.T. - The Extra-Terrestrial.''

The way the cars move is a Revenge rarity. The track features linear-induction motors designed to slowly push the vehicles through the first segment of the attraction, then quickly launch them for the coaster part along 1,800 feet of sweeping turns and drops. Once the cars approach the midpoint of the coaster section, they switch tracks (few riders will notice because it happens when an army of scarab beetles are on the attack) and then resume the journey backward.

Along the way, there's an assortment of special effects - most notably when four free-falling mummy warriors drop, stopping just inches from riders' heads.

While that's a fast-moving thrill, the journey is a smooth one.

``It's not going to beat you up or knock your head from side to side,'' Murdy says of the ride. ``We made certain decisions so it would appeal to a broad demographic.''

Still, the attraction is off limits for those under 48 inches.

A companion Revenge of the Mummy ride opened last month at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla., where it has been well-received.

``I've heard nothing but kudos,'' says St. Petersburg Times reporter Mark Albright, who previewed the attraction for the paper. ``People seem to really like ... the roller-coaster part. You can't anticipate what's going to happen. There are little surprises all over the place.''

Arthur Levine at About.com also offers praise.

``The attraction's high concept, melding a special-effects laden dark ride with a (winning) coaster, is a remarkable theme park achievement,'' he writes on the site. ``While there are other examples of indoor coasters that attempt to incorporate a story, nothing comes close to Revenge of the Mummy.''

The attraction is the centerpiece of the park's 40th anniversary celebration, with other special events coming this summer.

``This marks the culmination of Universal Studios Hollywood going from what was originally purely a backstage movie studio tour into a full-fledged theme park,'' Murdy says. ``We've always had the behind- the-scenes movie component, but after adding more theme park-type attractions over the last several years, Revenge of the Mummy brings it full circle so now this place is much, much more than just the tram tour. That's still a huge part of what we do, but now there are all of these other entertainment components.''

REVENGE OF THE MUMMY - THE RIDE

Where: Universal Studios Hollywood, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City.

When: Opens Friday.

Tickets: $49.75 for adults; $39.75 for kids under 48 inches. The park offers a print-at-home option for admission tickets, so guests can avoid waiting at the front gate. Season and Front of Line passes also are available through the Web sites. [phone]; www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com or www.RevengeOfTheMummy.com.

CAPTION(S):

drawing, 6 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- cover -- color) It's a SCREAM

Universal unleashes latest thrill ride

(2 -- color) The 2 1/2 minute duration of Universal Studios Hollywood's newest ride offers some unexpected turns.

(3) Below, thrill seekers queue up.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer

(4 -- color) no caption (Egyptian cat)

(5) The Treasure Room of Revenge of the the Mummy - The Ride is filled with riches.

(6) The design and development team visited Egypt and London's British Museum to ensure the authenticity of hieroglyphics near the entrance.

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer

Drawing/Box:

MUMMY UNWRAPPED

Source: Universal Studios Hollywood

Staff Graphic by CHRIS MARICH