Scorpion King, The

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Entertainment: +3 1/2

Content: -2

Based on a character from the popular film, THE MUMMY RETURNS, this story creates the legend of The Scorpion King. Memnon (Steven Brand), king of Gomorrah, sends his armies across the land, planning to conquer and rule all the tribes. His success is due to his sorcerer, who sees visions of the future and guides his actions. Whats left of the free tribes hire Mathayus (The Rock), last member of the Akkadians, a legendary tribe of assassins, to kill Memnons sorcerer. But when Mathayus learns the sorcerer is a woman (Kelly Hu), his perspective changes, especially since she saves his life. However, Mathyus has a personal score to settle with Memnon, who killed his brother. Fans of the WWF star as well as sword and sand fantasy adventures will flock to see the Rock.

Drawing fictional events from historical places, the Mummy film put the Scorpion King in Egypt. In this story, the Biblical city of Gomorrah is the center of activity. One comment refers to Sodom as having even more attractions to entertain men. Prostitutes on the city streets proposition men and women are skimpily dressed through the film. But what little plot there is, hinges on battle after battle as people are killed in a variety of graphic ways, such as a star knife stuck in ones head. The sorceress not only sees visions but also seems to command animals as she handles a poisonous cobra like a weapon. But no particular source is credited for her power. An inventor refers to his Chinese formula for magic powder, which is really gunpowder. In typical WWF style, THE SCORPION KING entertains with graphic violence, scantily clad women and sexual innuendo.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: Universal Pictures, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608

Summary
The following categories contain objective listings of film content which contribute to the subjective numeric Content ratings posted to the left and on the Home page.

Crude Language: None

Obscene Language: Once - other

Profanity: None

Violence: Almost constant Moderate and graphic (Star knife in mans head, drinking from skull, men thrown when hit by arrows, mans severed head held up, many sword fights, cuttings, arrows strike people, punches, kicks, hanging, throat cut off screen, man covered by large fire ants, man bites, ant, hits with objects, cobra threats, arrow stabbed in leg, man pulls arrow from back, body impaled on stalagmite, explosion, fireball, man in flames, snakes head cut off, falls from height)

Sex: Few times - Implied (naked couple on bed no explicit nudity, man in bed with two women)

Nudity: Near nudity Many times (women wear skimpy costumes throughout, woman in bath hair covers breasts)

Sexual Dialogue/Gesture: Several times (couples kissing in background, men carry women away, references to losing powers if bedded, prostitutes entice men, harem women distract man and take weapons, boy thrown coin in wishing fountain as naked woman emerges no explicit nudity, suggestive dance moves, women said to be gift for soldiers)

Drugs: Alcohol/ wine drinking

Other: Woman called sorceress/ has visions/ seems to have command over animals, city of Gomorrah Sodom referenced, sorceress heals man by magically inhaling poison from him, man comments about making own destiny

Running Time: 94 minutes
Intended Audience: Teens and older

Click HERE for a PRINTER-FRIENDLY version of this review.