The Scorpion King (2002)

A desert warrior rises up against the evil army that is destroying his homeland. He captures the enemy's key sorcerer, takes her deep into the desert and prepares for a final showdown.

Director:

Chuck Russell

Writers:

Stephen Sommers (story), Jonathan Hales (story),

Stars:

Dwayne Johnson, Steven Brand, Michael Clarke Duncan

2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dwayne Johnson	...	Mathayus (as The Rock)
Steven Brand	...	Memnon
Michael Clarke Duncan	...	Balthazar
Kelly Hu	...	The Sorceress
Bernard Hill	...	Philos
Grant Heslov	...	Arpid
Peter Facinelli	...	Takmet
Ralf Moeller	...	Thorak
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

Storyline

In an ancient time, predating the pyramids, the evil king Memnon is using the psychic powers of his sorceress Cassandra to fortell his great victories. In a last ditch effort to stop Memnon from taking over the world, the leaders of the remaining free tribes hire the assassin Mathayus to kill the sorceress. But Mathayus ends up getting much more than he bargained for. Now with the help of the trickster Arpid, tribal leader Balthazar and an unexpected ally, it's up to Mathayus to fufill his destiny and become the great Scorpion King.

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Plot Keywords:

desert | king | sorceress | destiny | scorpion | 

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Taglines:

Warrior. Legend. King.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action violence and some sensuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA Germany Belgium

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 April 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

El rey escorpión

Filming Locations:

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park - 200 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$60,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$880,633 (France) (10 May 2002)

Gross:

$90,341,670 (USA) (21 June 2002)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Alphaville Films, BT Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Chuck Russell wanted to incorporate a physical feat into the movie which only The Rock (Dwayne Johnson) could perform. That is why there is a scene where the Rock springs to his feet from a position where he is lying on his back. Russell said that he had never seen a 6'3" man do that.

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Goofs

When Arpid is arm-wrestling a lady at the camp, they are both using their left hands. In the next shot they are using their right hands.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[the barbarian chieftain is holding up a skull]
Barbarian Chieftain: We have killed Babylonians!
[the barbarians cheer, he holds up another]
Barbarian Chieftain: We have killed Mesopotamians!
[the barbarians cheer]
Barbarian Chieftain: But we have never had the pleasure of killing... an Akkadian.
Jesup: [Tied up] May the gods have pity on you, for my brother will not.
[Mathayas storms in and kills the Barbarians]

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #18.13 (2010)

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Soundtracks

"I Stand Alone"
Written by Sully Erna
Produced by David Bottrill
Co-Produced by Sully Erna
Performed by Godsmack
Courtesy of Universal Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.

User Reviews

The Rock is the next Arnold!

"The Scorpion King," The Rock's film debut, after "The Mummy Returns," is an excellent movie. It was exciting from beginning to end. Great story, great characters, great action, and great special effects make it all into one wild ride of a movie. It's so good to see Chuck Russell (director of "A Nightmare On Elm Street 3," "The Mask," and "Eraser") back in the director's chair after his disappointing 2000 film "Bless The Child." The Rock (The People's Champion) is going to be the next action hero in the future, but, right now, he's concentrating on his wrestling. After all that, I'll be glad to see him back on the big screen. If you're a big fan of The Rock, then check out "The Scorpion King." He rocks! Rocky, Rocky, Rocky, Rocky!!!!

A+ ****** (out of ****** stars) 13/13