Don't take this film too seriously - the filmmakers obviously didn't. Although it's set in a period "long, long ago", most of the characters look, talk and act VERY contemporary. Equally contemporary is the use of "bullet time" in some of the fight scenes! I wouldn't count on it for a lesson in mythology, either (hmmm, and I thought the Minotaur was killed by Theseus!). And there are a few too many scenes where the characters are simply walking around, while we're waiting for something to happen. On the bright side, Russell Mulcahy is an experienced B-movie director, and the film delivers enough spectacle, with clear cinematography and some imaginative special effects (the best being the transportation from the labyrinth to Hades). The script is basically yet another "quest for vengeance" story, but it does have a nice double-twist at the end. Oh, and I hope we'll get to see more of the breathtakingly beautiful and exotic Karen David in the years to come. Wow, what a woman. Smart move to put her, and the also beautiful and exotic Natalie Becker, on the DVD cover - without those two, I would never have rented this film. (**1/2)

This is one of those movies that cries for your full attention; but this prequel to 2002's THE SCORPION KING is pitiful and the more you watch you realize this thing is just not going to get any better. The young warrior Mathayus(Michael Copon)witnesses his father's death at the hands of the evil and powerful King Sargon(Ultimate Fighting champ Randy Couture). Mathayus trains six years to become one of the King's elite body guards the Black Scorpions and all the while plots to avenge his father's death. Some real nice special effects, but the dialog is so ridiculous anything redeemable is buried in the sand. The exciting fight scenes are just not enough to carry a movie that seems to lumber on aimlessly.

The cast includes: Simon Quarterman, Karen David, Tom Wu, Jeremy Crutchley and Natalie Becker.

Five thousand years ago , in Ancient Akkad , Mathayus (Michael Copon) grows up as the proud son of Ashur (Peter Butler) , a captain in the world-renowned military corps of Black Scorpions, top-notch bodyguards, most of which are sent to courts wide away . By objecting to young Mathayus joining the corps , Ashur incurs the undying enmity of ruthless ruler Sargon (Randy Couture) , gets killed and the orphaned knave is shipped off to a desolate training camp for six years by king Hammurabi's clemency . Along the way Sargon annihilating all before them . What he has not banked on Mathayus is one of the last remaining members of the almos extinct Black Scorpion Warriors and he has a dab hand with a sword . When he returns as a Black Scorpion , Mathayus refuses , becoming a chased hero . Along with youth friends who help him somewhat unenthusiastically as a Greek called Ari (Simon Quarterman) , a beautiful warrior named Layla (Karen David) , an Orient swordsman (Tom Wu) and various mercenary warriors , they challenge the evil king , and battling the magnificent Bull of Minos , while embark on a daring quest to obtain Damocles' legendary sword from Sargon's magical ally , the war-goddess Astarte (Nathalie Becker) who transforms herself and can forsee the outcome of battles . Mathayus uses all his strength and cunning to outwit a formidable opponent who will stop at nothing to unlock a supreme ancient power helped by a witch . New quest, new villains, one legend - the Scorpion King returns. See how the legend of The Scorpion King began! Warrior. Legend. Hero. King.

Billed as a sequel to King Scorpion , it is really a prequel , this actioner is more in the ¨¨ Sword and Witchery¨ vein . Yes it's cheesy at times , but it doesn't actually strive for any more . In the wake of WWF fashion , the action here is relentless and unstoppable . In terms of milking a cash cow this prequel being actually inspired by the original ¨Scorpion King ¨ by Stephen Sommers that at the same time was a spin-off to ¨The Mummy¨ saga also directed by Sommers . But it's mindlessly amusing and entertainment all the same , and doesn't take itself seriously . All the men have the usual requisite amount , showing muscles and strength , while the women are all scantly clad . The only motivation behind the whole endeavour seems to be to make Michael Copon , a movie star , but it is failed . Average and unknown cast as Michael Copon who is the title star , accompanied by the resourceful Greek Pollux played Simon Quarterman and the gorgeous Karen David as Layla . While the hunk Randy Couture plays generalissimo Sargon who has bloodily seized the throne and demands cruel proof of blind loyalty . The picture was regular but professionally directed by Russell Mulcahy who keeeps matters rollicking , but it's wall to wall hokum nevertheless .

This thrilling Scorpion King saga is formed by the first and best¨Scorpion King¨ 2002 by Stephen Sommers with The Rock , Dwayne Johnson, Steven Brand , Kelli Hu , Grant Heslov , Bernard Hill , Michael Clarke Duncan .¨Scorpion King : rise of a warrior¨ 2008 by Russell Mulcahy with Michael Copon , Karen David , Tom Wu , Andreas Wisniewski , Randy Couture, Natalie Becker , Jeremy Crutchley . ¨The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption¨ 2012 by Raoul Reine with Victor Webster , Temuera Morrison , Ron Perlman , Billy Zane , Selina Lo . ¨The Scorpion King: The Lost Throne¨ (original title) 2015 by Mike Ellliot with Victor Webster , Ellen Hollman , Will Kemp , Barry Bostwick Barry Bostwick , Rutger Hauer, Michael Biehn, M. Emmet Walsh . ¨The Scorpion King: Book of Souls¨ (original title) 2019 by Don Michael Paul with Zach Mcgowan , Nathan Jones Peter Mensah , Mayling .