Inlewd Movie Review

The Scorpion King

Those stodgy old gray-haired critics with an affinity for Citizen Kane will probably raise their collective noses at The Scorpion King, but for the rest of America, the prequel to The Mummy films delivers its promised dose of nonstop slam banging action with spectacular fight scenes and larger-than-life visuals.

The Rock's first starring vehicle has been labeled a "popcorn movie," meaning that it isn't about to tax your brain muscles, but that was never the point anyway. "Fun" is a word that is hardly thrown around about movies these days, but that's exactly what Scorpion King is. Like the previous Mummy films, it never takes itself too seriously, but the comedic bits are well timed and don't detract from the film's main purpose as a high voltage, fast action roller-coaster ride through the desert.

Like most action flicks, The Scorpion King comes complete with the chiseled hero (The Rock), the hot chick in distress (the beautiful Kelly Hu), a loyal sidekick (the funny Grant Heslov), a skeptical tough guy (Oscar nominee Michael Clarke Duncan), and of course the evil villain (Steven Brand). Surprisingly enough, I did find myself caring about the characters, which is more than I can say for the dreadfully overrated Black Hawk Down.

The million-dollar question: The Rock - credible movie star or Hulk Hogan Part Deux? Like in wrestling, Rock lays the smack down on Hulk Hogan with superior speaking skills and a wider, more believable range of emotions. The six-time WWF Champion interacts wonderfully with his co-stars (all of whom deliver believable performances in their own right). He has romantic chemistry with the girl and buddy chemistry with the men who fight alongside him.

Unlike Hogan, Rock does not seem lost or out of his league amongst the other professional actors. It goes without saying that an action hero needs charisma and screen presence, and Rock possesses both at the level required of a summer blockbuster's leading man. The talk about Rock being "the next big thing" on the silver screen is definitely more than just inflated hype from the WWF machine; it's the real deal. It doesn't seem like he's poised to take Cary Grant's place, but Schwarzenegger and Sly may need to start running for cover.

The Scorpion King may not exactly be this generation's answer to Indiana Jones, but it's a feel-good romp that entertains for its hour-and-a-half running time.

Chris Sabga, InLewd Colmunist; former Editor IGN Wrestling.