As a film enthusiast who has watched the evolution of action stars over the past few decades, I must say that revisiting Dwayne Johnson’s early days in “The Scorpion King” is quite intriguing. Although it may not hold up as well now, with its dated CGI and questionable portrayal of women, it serves as a fascinating reminder of the humble beginnings of one of Hollywood’s most charismatic leading men.
In my journey as a fan, I first encountered Dwayne Johnson on the big screen in “The Mummy Returns,” where he portrayed a character known as The Rock, albeit with a surprisingly small screen presence given his role as the villain. As Mathayus of Akkad, I witnessed one of the earliest and perhaps most awkward instances of CGI in film history. Despite this, viewers seemed to appreciate his screen presence, a charisma that had been honed over years in the wrestling ring. Before long, he was catapulted into the role of a leading man the following year.
In the movie “The Scorpion King,” which premiered in 2002, Dwayne Johnson, then a 30-year-old actor, played the main character. This story, while briefly touched upon in “The Mummy Returns,” is extensively developed here as a prequel. At that time, Johnson was not yet the highest-paid actor from 2019 to 2021, and he paved the way for other wrestlers and fighters like John Cena and Dave Bautista who followed suit in making a mark in Hollywood. This film is notable as it may have started and established the blueprint for Johnson’s successful career in the industry. Currently streaming on Netflix, this movie provides an interesting perspective on Johnson’s early days in acting, especially considering his upcoming action-comedy “Red One” is set to hit theaters soon. It’s a great time to revisit how he began and judge its quality for yourself.
Dwayne Johnson Becomes the King
In the movie titled “The Scorpion King“, we follow the character named Mathayus, an Akkadian assassin. His mission was to eliminate the cruel King Memnon, who is portrayed as a tyrant similar to the ancient mythical king of Aethiopia (Steven Brand’s first feature role). Another character is Cassandra, a sorceress modeled after the prophetess from mythology known for her ability to foresee events, played by Kelly hu.
In a twist of events, Mathayus is the one who gets healed by Cassandra. It’s revealed that she had been imprisoned by Memnon, who exploited her abilities of prophecy to bolster his malicious schemes. Together, Mathayus and Cassandra join forces to rally the free tribes against Memnon, eventually overpowering him and assuming the role of Scorpion King in his place. This narrative is carefully crafted to portray Johnson as a tough guy, admired by men and desired by women, much like how action heroes such as Schwarzenegger, Stallone, Seagal, and Van Damme have been depicted in previous projects.
The movie, “The Scorpion King,” was jointly produced by WWF, and they skillfully transformed their wrestling legend into a cinematic star. This film follows the trend of action movies that feature muscular actors transitioning to Hollywood, similar to how Conan the Barbarian showcased Arnold Schwarzenegger’s acting abilities and potential as a leading man, or how Terminator 2 was reworked to present Schwarzenegger in a more positive light. Just like these films were tailored to emphasize Schwarzenegger’s physique, strong eyebrows, and combat skills, “The Scorpion King” was created with the aim of showcasing Johnson’s muscles, expressive eyebrows, and fighting prowess.
Does The Scorpion King Hold Up?
In simpler terms, “The Scorpion King” is a film from the early 2000s that shows its age through heavy use of CGI, outdated effects, and dialogue that can be quite cheesy. The action scenes are solid, and some of the large-scale set pieces and explosive moments are well executed, but the visual effects are clearly dated.
Dwayne Johnson undeniably leaves a strong impact on films, adding a touch of self-deprecating wit and an unexpectedly relatable charm (despite his muscular physique). In a forward-thinking manner, Roger Ebert expressed this sentiment in his surprisingly favorable critique at the time:
In terms of its intended audience seeking some humor, martial arts, and explosive action, it certainly delivers as promised. The energy level is consistently high, the action is non-stop, the dialogue is witty, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson effectively portrays his role with authority while maintaining a straight face. I believe he will establish himself as a reliable action star in the long run.
Indeed, The Scorpion King offers a glimpse into the early stages of Dwayne Johnson’s meteoric rise to fame, explaining his subsequent success as a leading actor. It’s certainly worth viewing for the historical perspective, especially if you enjoy such films. You can stream it on Netflix via the link provided below:
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2024-11-09 18:01