neumu [ cinematronic ]




	The Scorpion King
	Chuck Russell The Rock, Steven Brand, Kelly Hu, Michael Clarke Duncan, Bernard Hill 2002		The weakest part of "The Mummy Returns," inferior sequel to the phenomenally successful action fantasy "The Mummy," was a flashback sequence featuring the hammy strutting of pro wrestler The Rock as ancient warrior the Scorpion King. But big box-office wears the championship belt. The ham is sliced and served up again in this prequel about Mathayus, indestructible hero of the Biblical deserts who will become the Scorpion King. Biblical? His conniving enemy Memnon (Steven Brand) lives with a beauteous, inscrutable sorceress (Kelly Hu) in Gomorrah! (No sign of Lot's wife, though.) The campy, asinine qualities that pervade The Rock's main venue, the World Wrestling Federation, serve him well in this dumb-but-lively popcorn vendor loaded with swordplay, boastful epigrams and body slams. It's worthless, and more fun than a barrel of Schwarzeneggers. The acting: WWF-quality, although massive Michael Clarke Duncan ("The Green Mile") as a Nubian chieftain is a decent foil for The Rock.