The Scorpion King

Name: The Scorpion King
Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller, Fantasy, Romance
Released: April 19, 2002
Duration: 92 min
Rating: 45
Cast: Dwayne Johnson

2002

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 30 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 109 Ratings

See All

5.5

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

5.5	Your Score
5.5	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 109 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

The Scorpion King

Now Playing: The Scorpion King

Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: April 19, 2002 | PG-13

Starring: Dwayne Johnson

Summary: Inspired by the legendary Egyptian warrior this prequel to the opening sequence of The Mummy Returns is set 5,000 years ago in the notorious city of Gomorrah.

Director: Chuck Russell

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Thriller, Fantasy, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 92 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Mick LaSalle

Like every other action movie, it's designed for a 14-year-old boy's mentality, but it's enjoyable enough to turn most people into 14-year-old boys. Read full review

Chuck Wilson

Director Chuck Russell ("The Mask") keeps the computer effects to a minimum, emphasizing instead the essential ingredients of a Saturday-afternoon serial, namely, venom-tipped arrows, pissed-off cobras and a buxom babe. Read full review

Roger Ebert

Here is a movie that embraces its goofiness like a Get Out of Jail Free card. Read full review

Mike Clark

Of course, The Rock looks the part, though with a headband and buckskin, he'd also look like Tonto on steroids. Read full review

James Berardinelli

It is possible to make an engaging action/adventure picture of this sort, but The Scorpion King isn't it. The movie isn't godawful, but it's far from inspired, and, as I sat through its 90 minute running length, I found my mind wandering. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Predictably dumber than its predecessors, though that shouldn't get in the way of its profitability.

Stephen Holden

As this chaotic barrage of muscle flexing, swordplay, fireballs, crude digital effects and comic-book quips hurls itself off the screen, it's like having several garbage cans clogged with stale pizza, lukewarm cola, soggy French fries and greasy, ketchup-stained napkins emptied over your head. Read full review

SEE ALL 30 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

KevinJ.

Sep 24, 2007

I liked this movie

1 of 2 users found this helpful

mishael

Sep 16, 2019

this dope movie we get the rock again this movie please thes others **** are wack we need the rock this movie it be great again

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

cameronmorewood

Nov 12, 2012

It sizzles with dirty delights. Scorpion King is action packed, sexy, and even, to my surprise, decently filmed.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Sam

Apr 3, 2006

The real problem with this prequel is in the mummy returns. If it had set a far more interesting and detailed background for the Scorpion King, it would've been really good. Since it didn't you just don't care.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Kai82

Aug 5, 2023

A solid and entertaining popcorn movie. It is not art and does not need to be. After appearing in “The Mummy Returns” we get a spin off with the Rock giving the backstory of the (later so called) Scorpion King. The Mummy trilogy was back then a huge success. It was a mixture of adventure andA solid and entertaining popcorn movie. It is not art and does not need to be. After appearing in “The Mummy Returns” we get a spin off with the Rock giving the backstory of the (later so called) Scorpion King. The Mummy trilogy was back then a huge success. It was a mixture of adventure and horror garnered with action a humor. This spin off takes place far before the events of the Mummy movies. It is set approx 5000 years ago where the ruler Memnon is conquering his neighbor countries (or city states) one by one and never losing a battle. Mathayus is one of the last surviving warriors of his people and tasked to kill the seeress which granted Memnon his victories. This is the set up for the story. What should I say. The story is entertaining but foreseeable. If you know classic movie stories and tropes you can see the twists and outcomes from miles away. I think you should not think too much or it will ruin the movies. If you like this or not the actors are the saving grace. With Dwayne Johnson, Kelly Hu and Steven Brand in the lead roles we get a good performance. The hidden gem is Grant Heslov. The action scenes are nice an enjoyable. There is a bit of good humor but not overwintering. In total I think this is an entertaining movie but sadly forgettable except for some moments. I give a 6/10 here but will say it can be everywhere from a 3-8/10 compared how much smart writing you want.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Voodoo123

Sep 28, 2019

+Great cast
+Excellent production value
-Weak screenplay -Uninspired cinematography/choreography Scorpion King feels like a Xena Warrior princess episode on big budget steroids... The production budget is there on the screen. While not particularly artful in its execution, I had a lot more+Great cast
+Excellent production value
-Weak screenplay
-Uninspired cinematography/choreography

Scorpion King feels like a Xena Warrior princess episode on big budget steroids... The production budget is there on the screen. While not particularly artful in its execution, I had a lot more fun watching this than I expected. In spite of the weak simple characters and plot,if you are in the mood, Scorpion King will entertain you!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JaredC.

Aug 1, 2007

For me, this is a huge letdown. It didn't give the point nor reason why they call it The Scorpian King. It just is, because it mentions it in The Mummy movies and as a joke one time in this. But really, the writing is fine but things aren't as expected in this movie, the acting by For me, this is a huge letdown. It didn't give the point nor reason why they call it The Scorpian King. It just is, because it mentions it in The Mummy movies and as a joke one time in this. But really, the writing is fine but things aren't as expected in this movie, the acting by the Rock is horrible, his acting here will give him roles in the future that are almost so bad, that its corny. But the movie is nothing more than a wrestler in a story with cheeze.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

SEE ALL 17 REVIEWS

63	#63 Most Discussed Movie of 2002
21	#21 Most Shared Movie of 2002