Time Walker (1982) - Could have been at least fun

'Time Walker' has a decent enough premise: an ancient mummy found in a university dig turns out to be more than it seems - so that's a good enough start for what is effectively a 'slasher' movie.  However, the whole film kind of falls short when it leans into being a ‘slasher’ rather than capitalizing on its sci-fi and supernatural elements.  

The biggest problem is the fact that the titular mummy barely gets screen time in the first two acts, reducing its menace and leaving the audience waiting too long for the promised thrills.  Meanwhile, the university students who serve as the mummy's victims range from bland to outright obnoxious. Some are so unlikeable that you might find yourself rooting for the mummy. 

Many of the characters are so poorly defined and similar in appearance that it’s hard to keep track of who’s who and the special effects are virtually nonexistent, offering nothing memorable or even passable for a horror movie of its era. 

At least the story  picks up toward the end, but it's a case of 'too little too late' and, although there’s a certain charm in the final twist, the ending is likely to frustrate viewers.  Without spoiling too much, the conclusion is effectively a cliffhanger/sequel bait.  

In the end 'Time Walker' could have a been at least fun, but is played way too straight with its blend of mummy lore, sci-fi, and slasher tropes.

4/10