The Scorpion King (2002)
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40% of critics liked it
(134 reviews) -
53% of users liked it
(270,614 ratings)
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… More 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. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi
- Directed By
- Charles Russell, Chuck Russell
- Written By
- Stephen Sommers, William Osborne, David Hayter
- Genres
- Action & Adventure, Horror, Science Fiction & Fantasy
- In Theaters
- Apr 19, 2002 Wide
- Studio
- Universal Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
Another grandiose, hyperactive crock, full of lame jokes and gorgeous, stupefying images.
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Michael Rechtshaffen, Hollywood Reporter
All the necessary exposition prevents the picture from rising above your generic sand 'n' sandal adventure.
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Ed Park, Village Voice
Russell lacks the visual panache, the comic touch, and perhaps the budget of Sommers's title-bout features.
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Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
Wimps out by going for that PG-13 rating, so the more graphic violence is mostly off-screen and the sexuality is muted.
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Stephen Holden, New York Times
The Scorpion King may look like a movie, but it feels like a food fight.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
as The Scorpion King/Mathayus
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Steven Brand
as Memnon
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Michael Clarke Duncan
as Balthazar
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Kelly Hu
as Cassandra
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Bernard Hill
as Philos
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Grant Heslov
as Arpid
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Peter Facinelli
as Takmet
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Ralph Moeller
as Thorak
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Branscombe Richmond
as Jesup
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Roger Rees
as King Pheron
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Sherri Howard
as Queen Isis
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Conrad Roberts
as Chieftain
- Bernard Smith
- Tyler Mane
- The
- Rolf Moeller
- Somaya Reece



