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*** Official "THE SCORPION KING" Discussion Thread (1 Viewer)

Shayne Lebrun

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Ok. Then yes, he probably has no future. I'll give him one more try, though, as he did, I suppose, specifically do this movie as The Rock, as opposed to Dwayne.

Or, it'll become an 'in-joke' like Arnie's "I'll be back" line. We'll see.
 

Malcolm R

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Or, it'll become an 'in-joke' like Arnie's "I'll be back" line.
I think that's more likely. I don't think "The Rock" takes himself too seriously.

I'm also a bit disappointed that so many can't seem to set aside their wrestling bias. I also have no interest in wrestling, but have no problems with The Rock outside the ring. He's been quite entertaining in other places I've seen him, such as in interviews and on SNL. He seems like a really nice guy and I hope he does well.
 

David Rogers

Supporting Actor
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May 15, 2000
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I hate wrestling, too …. I just don’t like it, not sure exactly why. But Johnson (aka The Rock) is a cool guy. Lots of charm and charisma, has a great look, has presence, is athletic. Absolutely no reason why he can't step up into the void we have for action stars right now. I was utterly thrilled to hear he'd worked with an acting coach; Michael Clark Duncan is a great actor with a great look, and he was amazing in Green Mile. If the coach Duncan worked with for that film has worked with Johnson now … I'm good with that. I was kinda "yeah right" about Scorpion King based on the bit of Johnson we had in Mummy Returns and off the initial trailers. Now however, the last trailer looks very very good. Combine that with this good report … think I'll be checking it out and hoping for Johnson to work out as well as I hope. If I even halfway like it, I imagine I'll start getting excited about Helldorado, listed as Johnson's next.

I loved Arnold, but he hasn't done a GOOD movie in about a decade (I list True Lies as his last good one), and that's a long time. We need a good ACTION star, a tough-guy action star, not a martial arts action star. I love Wesley Snipes, he's The Man, but he's busy the last several years with Amen Ra (his production company) and other investment type things; he doesn't act much anymore. Stars like Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh are great, but very martial arts, not tough-guy. Johnson has everything he needs to be a tough-guy star if only he can get dialogue and delivery down … the acting coach is the key there. I'd love to get The Rock movies for the next twenty years or so if Johnson can square things away and vault onto the ledge.
 

Carlo_M

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I'll give this movie a chance!
Man, The Rock put in his time as a frickin' garbage man! I gotta respect him for that! Definitely wasn't "handed" anything, he worked his tail off. Good for him, I hope he succeeds in his newest venture (assuming he doesn't just stink up the screen). :D
 

Scott Weinberg

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Am I the only one who laughs hysterically during the commerical when MCD says "Wilyoo stand alone befaw da furee ofizz armees?" :laugh::laugh::D:laugh::laugh:
 

teapot2001

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Scott, I guess you're the only one who finds that funny. :) So how was the movie?
~T
 

cafink

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My very brief review:

I really enjoyed 1999's The Mummy, and to a lesser extent, The Mummy Returns. They were fun little adventure movies with just the right blend of comedy and action.

The Scorpion King, on the other hand, didn't interest me much. The trailers made it look kind of bland and uninteresting. It looked like a "serious" movie instead of a silly romp like the Mummy films.

I'm happy to report that the trailers were misleading. The Scorpion King is a very silly movie! It doesn't take itself too seriously, and has just the right mix of goofiness thrown in. I quite enjoyed it.

I don't like professional wresting at all, but The Rock was really great as the title character.

I give the Scorpion King a thumbs up.
 

Chuck Mayer

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Nice to see the positives. I still won't go near this because of The Mummy - the single biggest 2 star movie ever...it's like they made a movie, and the director didn't show up. How can a film with Hotties and flesh-eating scarabs be bad, you ask...lame directing ;) Anyways, sorry, sat through an hour+ of The Mummy this weekend and realized how great it could have been. At least it wasn't bad.
As to TSK, like I said, not much interest. But I want it to do well because, like everyone said, The Rock is a cool fellow. My wife and I make fun of his ONE LINE in the trailers and the commercials (...YES!), but I know he's a sharp guy with a great sense of humor. I want him to be in a movie with Rob Schneider...the possibilities are endless :laugh: Make it so, Movie execs! That's high concept! Send 2% of all grosses to me:D
Thank you,
Chuck
 

Carlo_M

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LOL! I thought I was the only one who believed in the Rob Schneider / Dwayne Johnson Separated At Birth Theory!
They could really make a funny version of Twins (since DeVito and Arnie looked nothing alike). :)
 

Dan Keefe

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Because it is the Rock, This is one of the four rare appearances I will be making at a theater near you in 2002.

I can't stand tthem anymore...cell phones, babies people talking, 6 bucks for popcorn.

Catch me also at Spiderman, Star Wars and Lord of the Rings
 

David Rogers

Supporting Actor
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I've read a number of reviews available online, including several that appear to be negative.

Most of the negative reviews SEEMED to focus on one of two aspects I identified:

* The reviewer has absolutely NO use for 'fluff', 'event', or 'popcorn' type/style movies

-or-

* The reviewer has absolutely NO use for action films.

One reviewer I read went on at great length berating all action films and stars in general, then proceeded to continue lambasting TSK. As if his opinion was even remotely relevant at that point, after having firmly established he clearly didn't like the genre the film he was critiquing belongs to.

One reviewer said the Rock was utterly talentless … not sure I can put any credence in the reviewer's opinion if he says something like that. I don’t think the Rock is necessarily talented yet, but I think he has the possibility of being shaped into a great action oriented movie start, including the ability to do non-effects/stunt scenes properly and even perhaps with skill. Obviously someone who despises the lead actor perhaps isn't able to offer a balanced opinion of a film said actor is staring in.

One reviewer ripped into Michael Clark Duncan and referred to all his roles as "wooden" .. scratch that reviewer's opinion as well. MCD is fairly talented in my book, and I have enjoyed his roles to date. Hell, he was the best thing about "The Whole Nine Yards" which I thought was a pretty weak film all around, and I own that one on DVD. And of course "The Green Mile" basically doesn't work if MCD can't hold his role together in it, which he does very adeptly.

I've been down on TSK pretty much at every point I've heard or read something about it until just very very recently. The latest trailer looks much better (especially story wise) than the first two, and I've read some decently written reviews that cover some points I had questions about (mostly around the tone of the film and particularly about Johnson). So I'm now looking forward to watching it opening night with a cherry coke and an expectant grin.

As I've posted in this forum on more than one occasion,

I go to the movies for fun. I go to be amazed and dazzled. I go to cheer for the good guys and boo the bad guys. I go to escape my life. I go to enjoy another world. I go because I'm looking for a good time.

And popcorn films fit into that every bit as much as do more 'cerebral' films such as Fight Club and Memento, or as do technically brilliant films such as Unbreakable or Black Hawk Down.

Or to sum it up another way ..

"The Internet is a communications device that allows people the world over to come together to bitch about movies and share pornography with one another."

I think some of the 'net reviewers are out of pornography or something.
 

Scott Weinberg

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I agree with 98% of your extremely well-written post, David. (The remaining 2% represents the "Maybe the movie really does suck" issue.) :)
When I'm knocking a performer in one of my reviews, I try to be as fair as possible. Were I commenting on Duncan giving a poor performance, I'd still mention his fine work in other films...and vice versa. On the same note, if it's an actor I truly dislike, I'll add something like "Heck, I'd rather set my legs on fire than watch another Freddie Prinze movie, so maybe I'm not the best guy to ask."
Fortunately, I don't really LOATHE that many actors - so it's not a problem.
I'm curious to hear your thoughts once you see The Scorpion King. You may actually agree with those critics! ;)
 

Terrell

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I haven't decided on this film. From what I've seen it doesn't look good, and the criticc reviews at rottenomatoes.com are tearing this film to bits. 9 of 12 reviews are negative. So I'll have to see more reviews to decide on whether to give it a chance.
 

Robert Crawford

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This thread is now designated the Official Discussion Thread for "The Scorpion King". Please, post all comments, links to outside reviews, film and box office discussion items to this thread.
All HTF member film reviews of "The Scorpion King" should be posted to this thread.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Crawdaddy
 

Jason Harbaugh

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Add me to the "Not a fan of wrestling" bunch, but everytime I see The Rock doing interviews or sketches on SNL I can't help but grin. This guy does have charisma. I just watched him on Conan and he really doesn't take himself seriously. He is just having a great time and that spills over to myself having a goodtime.

The Scorpion King was a movie that I hadn't planned on seeing, but now I think I'll have to go and catch it while the crowds are big. Mostly because of the reviews in this thread.
 

Sean Oneil

Supporting Actor
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Mar 19, 2001
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Saw it tonight, and really liked it. It was completely action packed. The Rock did a great job with the role, the movie never got dull even though you basically know what is going to happen. It was actually a pleasant surprise that I had as good a time as I did.
I can't remember the last film I saw that had this much ass whipping per scene. It seems that there is always a fight going on, or someone getting his or her arse kicked along the way. If this kind of pure, raw action/fantasy appeals to you, then you will like this movie. It was just a fun film overall.
:emoji_thumbsup:
Sorry for the short review.. I know it's not very in depth, but I am tired and just wanted to jot down my initial impressions.
 

Bhagi Katbamna

Supporting Actor
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Jun 1, 2000
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I don't like wrestling either but enjoyed TSK. There was constant action and fighting. I won't buy or rent the DVD when it comes out but overall it was an enjoyable movie.
 

TerryRL

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I saw it last night and thought that it was a really fun movie that really doesn't take itself seriously. The Rock has a lot of onscreen charisma. The theater was packed and the audience cheered pretty much every time Rock opened his mouth.

The movie is jammed packed with action and all-in-all I had a really good time seeing it.

The movie debuted with $12.6 million yesterday and is on pace for between $35 and $39 million for the weekend. This would give "The Scorpion King" the second biggest opening of the year (so far) behind "Ice Age".

Looks like The Rock is well on his way to becoming the next "big thing" in terms of action stars. Expect WWF owner Vince McMahon to milk this for all it's worth. He did get himself a producer's credit on the movie after all.
 

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