Search - The Scorpion King [Fullscreen] [Collector's Edition] on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Content Advisory: Violence Movie Release: 2002 DVD Release: 10/01/2002 Format: DVD - Pan and Scan Edition: Dual Layered Audio Tracks: English, French, Spanish Subtitles: English, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 32 mins Studio: Universal Studios Total Copies: 36 Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Fantasy Adventure See Also: The Scorpion King [Widescreen] [Collector's Edition], The Scorpion King [Widescreen] [Limited Edition] [DVD/CD], The Scorpion King [HD DVD], Scorpion King, The Scorpion King, Scorpion King, The Scorpion King [Blu-ray], The Scorpion King [Widescreen] [Limited Edition], The Scorpion King [Fullscreen] [Collector's Edition]

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, All Movie Guide

The Rock - The Scorpion King/Mathayus
Steven Brand - Memnon
Michael Clarke Duncan - Balthazar
Kelly Hu - Cassandra
Bernard Hill - Philos

The Scorpion King comes to DVD with a standard full-frame transfer. English and French soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1. Spanish subtitles are accessible, and the English soundtrack is closed-captioned. Supplemental materials include a commentary track recorded by The Rock, a second commentary with director Chuck Russell, outtakes, a handful of featurettes, and a music video from the band Godsmack. This Universal release is fine for what it is, but there is a widescreen edition of the film available with the same extra materials. That edition is superior to this one. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide