Universal must have scheduled THE SCORPION KING 2 for a theatrical release and hired the visually talented director, Russell Mulcahy, fresh from his success with the Hollywood box office, RESIDENT EVIL: EXTINCTION to helm this production. For the genre un-intiated, Mulcahy is the man responsible for such fantasy efforts as HIGHLANDER (1986), THE SHADOW (1992), and RAZORBACK (1984). In the later 1990s, the former music video pioneer was relegated to TV movies and direct-to-video affairs. It's great to see him return to where he belongs, behind the director's chair, but unfortunately SCORPION KING 2 may put him back into the realm of TV movie fodder. The director has a gift with mixing visuals and fantastical themes, so one would think that this Sword and Sorcerery effort, spun off from 2002 hit, THE SCORPION KING, (itself spun off from Universal's popular MUMMY franchise), would be a natural fit for Mulcahy. I found the scripting was not too bad, however this picture's biggest flaws is in the casting. I'm sure the Rock wouldn't even consider this lower budgeted Sci-Fi channel approach, so the cast consists of the usual fresh faced talents that no one has ever heard of, all who deliver there lines with such blandess that Ed Wood would turn over in his grave. The biggest name here is a man named Randy Couture. Did I mention that this is Couture's first film? He is famous for his ultimate fighter reputation, and thats where he should stay. Universal Home Video presents THE SCORPION KING 2 on DVD and Blu Ray.

In the legendary land of Akkad, Ashur warns his young son Mathayus (Michael Copus) not to join the Emperor Hammurabi's elite warriors, the Black Scorpions. Mathayus eventually gets recruited to join the sacred Black Scorpions by competing in a tournament. During these games Mathayus encounters his friend, Layla (Karen David), a childhood friend who desires to fight in battle like a man. The Emperor's general Sargon overhears the conversation and retains Layla and Mathayus. As punishment,  Sargon tries to execute Mathayus only to have his father Ashur rescue him and attack Sargon. The battle ends with Emperor Hammurabi forgives Mathyus, for the Emperor owed Ashur a favor. During the night, Ashur is murdered by Sargon's Scorpion Curse. Mathayus joins the Black Scorpion training camp, for he realizes this is the best way to get revenge against Sargon.

Years later, Mathayus now an adult, is part of the ceremony to join the Black Scorpions. He graduates as a master swordsman, and best in his class. During the ceremony they are greeted by now Emperor, Sargon. Sargon actually murdered Hammurabi to seize the throne. During the greeting Sargon recognizes Mathayus and invites him to his palace. The next day, Mathayus is once again called to the palace, only to find his brother Noa arrested, for spreading false rumors about the Sargon's ascension to the throne. Mathayus devises a plan to escape. During their escape, however, Sargon uses his black magic and releases a magic arrow, which kills Noa.

In a nearby village, Mathyus encounters his friend, Layla. Together they escape together to Egypt via ship. During the trip, they meet their new accomplice, a wiseman named Aristotle (Simon Quartermain), who devises a plan to kill the Sargon. Aristotle and Mathyrus determines that the only way to kill Sargon is by going to a supernatural realm and obtaining a magical sword from a legendary hero. To get to this underworld first, they must kill the Minotaur that guards the portal that leads to the underworld. Mathayus succeeds in killing the beast, but not without the help of some prisoners they encounter. One of the them, a Chinese acrobat, named Fong (Tom Wu) who becomes their latest accomplice. As they enter the portal to the underworld, they discover a mystery that only Aristotle may decipher. The answer to this puzzle was Ashur's last words to Mathayus: Have faith. As they're walking through the desert to the underworld, it suddenly turns into a swamp, filled with dead corpses, traps, and fully awakened bodies. In the swamp only Fong, Aristotle, Mathayus, and Layla survive. Once in the palace of Lady Astante (Natalie Becker), the goddess of Love and War. They escape the palace with the sword, after their encounter with the goddess.

Mathayus and his entourage return to Akkad to discover that Sargon plans to sacrifice the entire village to Lady Astante, upon which she will she grant him the power of a god. Layla and Fong, help everyone escape the village by killing the guards and putting out the fire, before it reaches the residences. Mathayus and Aristotle go to the Sargon's castle, to confront him. Once they encounter him, Mathayus and Sargon fight hand-to-hand, while Aristotle was writing more details for his epic poem. After the battle Mathayus asks for the magical sword only to have Aristotle betray him and throw the sword to Sargon. Mathayus uses his dagger to break the sword, which left Sargon amazed. Aristotle returns to the room and gives Mathayus the real sword. This was all part of Aristotle's plan to fool Sargon. Sargon then transforms into a monster Scorpion King and after a long battle, Mathayus succeeds in killing the it by impaling him with his magical Sword. The day after, Hammurabi's son is declared the new Emperor of Akkad.

Well, okay I must confess that I am sucker for a well made CONAN rip-off. Although SCORPION KING 2 has its faults, it has a few things going for it as well. One thing that differentiates it from the creature-less original is the inclusion of numerous supernatural elements such as monsters, magic, the living dead, and this time around, even giant scorpions!. The action and fight sequences are fairly well-executed and are enhanced by CGI. Another thing the script has going for it is the tone. Chuck Russell's entertaining original SCORPION KING had much humor and had John Schneider as a smarmy character to play off the Rock's Barbarian-like personality. Mulcahy's SCORPION KING is nearly humorless and very dark which only adds to its brutal, primeval tone. If you can live with all the bad casting decisions, you might find something to enjoy with this motion picture. Simon Quartermain as Aristotle is about the only one in the flick who can act.

Universal Home Video presents THE SCORPION KING 2 on Blu Ray in the original shot ratio of 1.78.1 anamorphic widescreen. The transfer is mastered from a 1080p/VC-1 encode and image-wise takes advantage of the digital production environment that this flick was shot in. This means that it looks both film-like and unnaturally slick. The CGI enhanced sequences and the natural photography come together with a very natural look, with grain not being visible anywhere. These two halves contrast very nicely. The color palette is stellar, with the very dark, labyrinthian look-with visuals flush with warm oranges, lush greens, deep blues, and the achoring dark colors. These hues are solid and true and the image contains no noise. The dark levels exhibit a fall-off into black that leaves the dark scenes dim and doomy, which is perfect for the medieval aspect of the movie. The well-choreographed action sequences look great in the transfer, as does Mulcahey's eye-candy visuals.

The soundtrack is English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack delivers the aural goods. Everything from the echoing footsteps, the clanging of the swords, marching of the armies, to the monster howls, all come through superbly in the sound field. The aggressive bass likewise thooms to life at the appropriate times, like when the rampaging giant scorpions assault the cast members. The synthesizer score cleaves though the sound field but does not over power the other sound elements. The poorly delivered dialog comes thru crisply in the mix. All the sound elements come together superbly for a very strong DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 presentation.

Special Features include the Making of the Scorpion King featurette which takes you behind the scenes which chronicles the actual production. Becoming Sargon: One on One with Randy Couture examines the the villainous character and Randy Couture's interpretation and preparation for the role (go back to UFC, Mr Couture, please!). Fight Like An Akkadian is another short that explores the Black Scorpion training camp and fighting techniques. My favorite one in the batch is On Set With the Beautiful Ladies featurette. From these supplemental features, you can tell the cast and crew had a genuinely good time shooting SCORPION KING 2. I just wish that they had included an interview or commentary wit h Russell Mulcahy, so we could hear his view on the production.

So in a nutshell, SCORPION KING 2 adds a lot of elements that were missing from it's predecessor, including the horror, fantasy, and Asian action elements. Also gone are the light hearted moments that don't belong there to begin with. On the down side, the acting and delivery of nearly everyone in the picture seriously hurts it. Just don't go into it expecting LORD OF THE RINGS, 300, or TROY. Remember this movie is from Universal Studios, creators of such modern dreck as VAN HELSING, WHITE NOISE 2, and THE THUNDERBIRDS. The Blu Ray contains some cutting sharp audio visual presentation, and the featurettes are entertaing and informative.

-  Jason Mueller