Three thousand BC, buff hottie Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock (The Mummy Returns), with a scarcely clad body, what more could you ask for? Well how about dialogue, a storyline that doesn’t break character, and oh yeah how about some acting. Every time The Rock opened his mouth he displayed the acting ability of cardboard. Other than that this was a fine picture. Since this movie was a prequel to The Mummy Returns which was overrun with special effects, it was disappointing what few effects were left for this Chuck Russell directed picture, The Scorpion King. Hackney wrestling moves were not enough filler to substitute for real action. Over the top wrestling stunts could be seen coming long before they were executed. But, The Rock is one hot dude and makes nice eye candy for the ladies. Oh don’t worry gentlemen, Kelly Hu as Cassandra the Sorcerer barely wears any items of clothing throughout the picture.

The movie opens with an Arcadian chained up and about to die. With a grand entrance that resembles Jesse The Body Ventura entering the ring for Wrestle Mania. Mathayus (The Rock) bursts in and wipes out all the warriors single handed with only his bow and arrows and a sword. The Arcadian is his brother and there are only three Arcadians (warrior/assassins) left alive. The job of the Arcadians is to kill, no mercy, which it was amazing when later The Rock gets soft and lets his mark go. I think writer Jonathan Hales could have devised a better way for Mathayus to deal with this unscrupulous king instead of breaking character and pretty much tossing out all credibility as an assassin. The king is Memnon (Steven Brand), he became king because he is the best swordsman in the world. What makes him powerful is his ability to win all battles. He does this through his sorcerer (Hu) that can see the outcome of a battle and advice him. The Rock, is hired by the leaders of fearful tribes, to kill the sorcerer that gives Memnon power.  Thus eliminate his reign of terror by eliminating what gives Memnon an advantage in battle.

The dialogue needs more work and the explanation as to why Mathayus is The Scorpion King could have been developed more, but The Rock is always nice to look at even if he had his ass and chest covered most of this film. Also appearing in this picture is Michael Clark Duncan (Planet of the Apes) as King Balthazar, Peter Facinelli (Riding in Cars With Boys), Scott L. Schwartz (Ocean’s Eleven) and Sole Alberti (Tomcats). I would have liked to see more Rock booty and less Rock talk but I guess he has to speak sometime. The action was so-so, but still with all my complaining I did enjoy the picture after all. So I give The Scorpion King a seven on the About-Movies.com rating scale.

Last updated: Thursday, March 20, 2008 02:48:25 AM

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