Director: Russell MulcahyWatched on Sky+ 14th June 2009
This film went straight to DVD and I can see why! Basically it’s not very good, the plot is weak and the performances not good, with one exception. But more of that later, the film is the prequel to The Scorpion King (2002) and it tells the story of the early life and adventures of Mathayus, in this case played by Michael Copon. Having witnessed his father’s murder by the evil Sargon (Randy Couture) he is trained as a Scorpion Guard for six years, a most feared warrior. He returns to find Sargon is now king and vows vengeance for his father. Being forced to leave home he sets off with his sidekicks Layla (Karen Shenaz David) and Ari (Simon Quarterman) to find the Sword of Damocles in the Underworld. A rather tortuous route, taking in the Minator, where they meet and recruit Fong (Tom Wu), brings them to Hades and Astarte (Natalie Becker) who is the guardian of the sword. After the usual battle the sword is secured and they return to avenge Mathayus’s father. I think you can guess the final outcome so I will not say too much more about the plot.
By modern standards, the special effects were not all that good, probably due to budget constraints, although the Minator did remind me slightly of the Alien in Aliens (with a Bull’s head obviously). During most of the fighting sequences the action was slowed down which I found a bit distracting.
By far and away the best performance was by Natalie Becker as Astarte, she was head and shoulders above the rest of the cast. Michael Copon, Karen Shenaz David and Simon Quarterman were adequate, but nothing special and Tom Wu added some much needed comic relief.
Over all, really not particularly good.
My score: 4/10
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