The Scorpion King [Blu-ray]

Director: Chuck Russell

Overview

The Rock has his first starring role in this prequel to The Mummy films, which was developed while The Mummy Returns was still in production. The film takes place in ancient times, when a mighty swordsman, Memnon (Steven Brand, making his film debut) ruled over nearly all the known world. Memnon, a brutal tyrant, defeats his enemies in battle with the help of a beautiful sorceress, Cassandra (Kelly Hu), who can predict the future. The last of the "free tribes" form a fragile alliance to fight Memnon, and hire a trio of Akkadian assassins, led by Mathayus (pro wrestler The Rock, who made his big-screen debut as this character in The Mummy Returns), to kill the sorceress and thus remove Memnon's advantage. Balthazar (Michael Clarke Duncan of The Green Mile), the powerful leader of the Nubians, objects to hiring mercenaries, but the plan goes forward. The assassins are betrayed by Takmet (Peter Facinelli), the son of one of the tribal leaders, and Mathayus finds himself unable to kill Cassandra. Thanks to the unlikely machinations of Cassandra, and the aid of a horse thief, Arpid (Grant Heslov of True Lies), Mathayus escapes to the desert. He eventually abducts Cassandra, who explains that Memnon was holding her against her will. Mathayus thwarts Memnon's efforts to re-capture Cassandra, then uses his newfound sense of justice to convince the surviving tribal leaders to join forces again to defeat Memnon. The Scorpion King was directed by Chuck Russell. Jonathan Hales (Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones) was credited with the story, and WWF owner Vince McMahon has an executive producer credit. The film, which was shot in the U.S. (very unusual for a big action film), reportedly underwent extensive re-shoots when the first cut came in with a running time of 70 minutes.

Product Details

Release Date:	07/22/2008
UPC:	0025195039970
Original Release:	2002
Rating:	PG-13
Source:	UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	1:32:00
Sales rank:	29,219

Special Features

Feature commentary with director Chuck Russell

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Dwayne Johnson	Mathayus
Steven Brand	Memnon,Memnon
Michael Clarke Duncan	Balthazar,Balthazar
Kelly Hu	Cassandra
Bernard Hill	Philos
Grant Heslov	Arpid
Peter Facinelli	Takmet
Ralph Moeller	Thorak,Actor
Branscombe Richmond	Jesup
Roger Rees	King Pheron
Sherri Howard	Queen Isis
Conrad Roberts	Chieftain
Joseph Ruskin	Tribal Leader
Esteban Cueto	Third Akkadian
Nils Allen Stewart	Torturer
Scott L. Schwartz	Torturer
Andre Henschel	Memnon Soldier
Nick Hermz	Guard at Ant Pit,Guard at Ant Pit
Michael Hilow	Guard at Ant Pit
Barry Kramer	Sword Merchant,Sword Merchant
Wesley John	Guard at Gomorrah Gate
Michelle Baney	Bazaar Barmaid
Marissa McMahon	Bird Merchant,Bird Merchant
Tim Iannello	Perfume Merchant
K.D. Aubert	Harlot
Sonia Vera	Harlot
Angélica Castro	Harlot
Tutu Sweeney	Street Urchin,Urchin
Yuki Tokuhiro	Urchin
Al Leong	Asian Training Master
Woon Park	Asian Training Fighter
Marcus Young	Asian Training Fighter
Paul Sloan	Soldier
Talani Rabb	Harem Girl
Sole Alberti	Harem Girl
Cristina Rodríguez	Harem Girl
Penelope Jimenez	Harem Girl
Sean Michael Afable	Boy at Well
Adoni Maropis	Doubting General
Bernie White	Falconmaster
Amy Hunter-Cornelius	Warrior Woman
Diana Lupo	Warrior Woman
Heather Burton	Warrior Woman
Nikki Flux	Warrior Woman
Rachel Moore	Warrior Woman
Summer Altice	Warrior Woman
Brandon Gonzalez	Boy with Dates
Peter Quartaroli	Vision Archer
Peter Navy Tuiasosopo	Night Gate Guard
Amanda Bentley	Courtesan
Claudia Orellana	Courtesan
Jim Maniaci	Palace Guard
Shant Demirjian	Army Leader
Gus Rethwisch	Barbarian Guard
Richard Cetrone	Barbarian Guard
Job Alonso	Courtesan
Kitana Baker	Barbarian Woman
Jennifer Bobiwash	Bazaar Merchant
Tracy Dali	Harlot
Rose Davidson	Market Vendor
Skye Dennis	Goat Herder
Wayne Eric	Red Turban Soldier
Amy Fadhli	Warrior Woman
Joss Gomez	Soldier
Tony Gracia	Bazaar Merchant
Zuhair Haddad	Bazaar Merchant
Jamie Hagan	Harlot
Thompson Iyamu	Ambush Bandit
Bernard Smith	Actor
Tyler Mane	Barbarian Chieftain
Julie Michaels	Harem Girl
George D. Miklos	Vendor
The Rock	Actor
Radhaa Nilia	Harlot
Somaya Reece	Harlot
Mailon Rivera	Falconer
Rachelle Roderick	Balthazar's Warrior Women
Marcio Rosario	Red Turban
T.J. Rotolo	Palace Guard 2
Bobby Silva	Warrior
Andrei Sterling	Balthazar's Bandit
Joseph Steven	Ambush Bandit
Ed Verreaux	Pasha on Elephant
John Debney	Composer

Technical Credits

Stephen Sommers

David Hayter

William Osborne

Chuck Russell	Director,Director
Vince McMahon	Executive Producer,Executive Producer
James Jacks	Producer,Producer
Stephen Sommers	Screenwriter,Producer
David Hayter	Screenwriter
William Osborne	Screenwriter
Kevin Misher	Producer
Sean Daniel	Producer
Ai-Ling Lee	Sound Effects
Paula Fairfield	Sound Effects
Jussi Tegelman	Sound Effects
Doug Jackson	Sound Effects
Sarah Halley-Finn	Casting

Editorial Reviews

The latest in a long line of professional athletes to make the leap to action-movie heroism, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson makes a sensational starring debut in this rousing, opulent adventure set in ancient times. In the days before Egypt built the great pyramids and established its empire, the far-flung desert tribes face conquest by the evil king Memnon (Steven Brand), whose campaign is guided by the prophetic visions of the sorceress Cassandra (Kelly Hu). The worried tribesmen band together and hire freebooting mercenary Mathayus (The Rock) to assassinate the sorceress and bring Memnon down, but destiny has something else in store for the indomitable warrior. A prequel of sorts to The Mummy Returns, The Scorpion King fleshes out the character introduced in the former film, and employs the same savory mix of sword-and-sorcery ingredients that helped catapult Arnold Schwarzenegger to stardom in the Conan movies. The Rock, accomplished through years of mugging for the WWE's cameras, is actually a better actor than Arnold, and very nearly as charismatic; moreover, his eye-popping physique and athletic ability make him perfectly believable in the numerous, well-choreographed battle scenes. Director Chuck Russell (Bless the Child) knows exactly what he's doing here. Little attention is paid to maintaining historical accuracy and credibility, but the occult trappings and countless feats of derring-do keep Scorpion King on the move at all times -- which is precisely what fans appreciate. The DVD edition features a commentary by Russell, two behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, DVD-ROM features, and a preview of The Rock's upcoming movie, Helldorado.

Barnes & Noble - Ed Hulse

Like every other action movie, it's designed for a 14-year-old boy's mentality, but it's enjoyable enough to turn most people into 14-year-old boys. Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle