UniversalWhile this unapologetically jumbo-sized popcorn flick is a prequel to the crummy The Mummy Returns, it aims for a considerably lower brow and is much more successful. WWE wrestler The Rock proves himself a charismatic and self-deprecating leading man as a sinewy, circa-3000 B.C. assassin hired by the assembled remnants of several defeated tribes to kill the sorcerer of a powerful tyrant king who has decimated their lands and peoples. But when his target turns out to be a nearly naked babe (Kelly Hu) with a sultry disposition and impossibly pert breasts, who's been a prisoner since childhood, Our Man Rock decides to rescue her before taking on the evil king himself. Unabashedly B-movie in tone, The Scorpion King pilfers ideas for its well-choreographed, humor-heavy, almost non-stop action sequences from several other movies. But like The Mummy before it (that would be the 1999 remake that spawned the rotten sequel that led to this movie--got it?), it's a good excuse to pop that corn. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include commentaries by director Chuck Russell and a live, enhanced feature commentary with The Rock (accessed by clicking on icons during the feature); alternate versions of several key scenes (also available in enhanced viewing mode and accessible through icons during the feature); a 14-minute "making of"; the Godsmack music video "Stand Alone"; a text segment about the "real" Scorpion King; and several brief featurettes (ranging from 2-6 minutes): "Ancient World" on production design, "Preparing the Fight" on combat scenes, "The Rock and Michael Clarke Duncan" about the camaraderie between the two actors, and "Working With Animals" on special effects used in creating the cobras and fire ants; and a short "WWE Legends" segment. Bottom line: a barrel-chested extras package for a brawny flick.] (R. Blackwelder)[Blu-ray Review—Aug. 19, 2008—Universal, 92 min., PG-13, $29.98—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 2002’s The Scorpion King sports a great looking transfer with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 sound. Extras include audio commentary by director Chuck Russell and an exclusive picture-in-picture interactive viewing track with cast and crew interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a reasonably entertaining popcorn flick that looks sharp on Blu-ray.]
The Scorpion King
Universal, 90 min., PG-13, VHS: $22.98, DVD: $26.98, Oct. 1 Volume 17, Issue 5
The Scorpion King
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