The Scorpion King [Blu-ray]

Director: Chuck Russell, Stephen Sommers, Sean Daniel, James Jacks, Kevin Misher

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:	24,918

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Kelly Hu	Cassandra
Steven Brand	Memnon
Michael Clarke Duncan	Balthazar
Grant Heslov	Arpid
Bernard Hill	Philos
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
Andre Henschel	Memnon Soldier
Nick Hermz	Guard at Ant Pit
Wesley John	Guard at Gomorroh Gate
Michelle Baney	Bazaar Barmaid
Barry Kramer	Sword Merchant
Marissa McMahon	Bird Merchant
Tim Iannello	Perfume Merchant
K.D. Aubert	Harlot
Sonia Vera	Harlot
Angelica Castro	Harlot
Tutu Sweeney	Street Urchin,Urchin
Yuki Tokuhiro	Urchin
Al Leong	Asian Training Master
Woon Young Park	Asian Training Fighter
Marcus Young	Asian Training Fighter
Paul Sloan	Soldier
Talani Rabb	Harem Girl
Sole Alberti	Harem Girl
Cristina Rodriguez	Harem Girl
Penelope Jimenez	Harem Girl
Sean Michael	Boy at Well
Adoni Maropis	Doubting General
Bernard White	Falconmaster
Amy Hunter	Warrior Woman
Diana Lupo	Warrier 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
Dwayne Johnson	Mathayus
Ralf M?ller	Thorak
Robert Apisa	Actor
Scott L. Schwartz	Actor
Andrei Sterling	Actor
Michael Hilow	Actor
Jennifer Bobiwash	Bazaar Merchant
Christie Campagna	Bazaar Side Waitress
Tracy Dali	Harlot
Wayne Eric	Red Turban Soldier
Amy Fadhli	Warrior Woman
Tony Gracia	Bazaar Merchant
Zuhair Haddad	Bazaar Merchant
Jamie Hagan	Harlot
Bernard Smith	Actor
Tyler Mane	Actor
The Rock	Actor
John Debney	Composer

Technical Credits

Stephen Sommers

William Osborne

David Hayter

Jonathan Hales

Stephen Sommers	Screenwriter,Producer
William Osborne	Screenwriter
David Hayter	Screenwriter
Larz Anderson	Special Effects
Bill Burton	Stunts
Sean Daniel	Producer
Sarah Halley Finn	Casting
Randi Hiller	Casting
James Jacks	Producer
Thomas L. Lupo	Stunts
Vince McMahon	Executive Producer,Producer
Kevin Misher	Producer
R!OT	Special Effects
Juliette Yager	Special Effects
Derek Ledbetter	Special Effects
Troy Brown	Stunts,Stunts
Jonathan Hales	Screenwriter
Richard Luke Rothschild	Producer
James Andrykowski	Special Effects
Robert J. Anderson Jr.	Sound Effects
James Ashwill	Sound Effects
David V. Butler	Sound Effects
John T. Cucci	Sound Effects
Gloria D'Alessandro	Sound Effects
William Aldridge	Special 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.