Review of The Scorpion King (2002) by John W — 25 Apr 2014

The key to understanding this important film is contained in the last 30 minutes, which involve repeated sequences of individuals jumping away from fiery explosions in slo-mo. For as it begins in what we may perceive as time, we are introduced to the Scorpion King, who is unfortunately neither a scorpion, nor a king.

When I first saw the film, I found myself puzzled by who this physically powerful man really WAS, and who he was destined to BE. What was he like? What makes him tick? For he neither aspires to BE a scorpion, nor BE a king.

The dialogue is quite subversive, making us think he is a mere man of action, which the Rock's subtle performance tricks us into thinking time and again. Interestingly, we can only ascertain his highest aspiration from the title of the film, which makes it a crucial key to what holds the film together.

Clues are slowly and delicately unfolded before us, and the first important factor in his transformation occurs when this enigmatic "Scorpion King" encounters "Balthazar" (played mysteriously by Michael Clark Duncan) who is at first enemy, but then friend, within the narrow band of existence between sand and sky.

If an enemy is but a man absent of friendship. and a friend but a man absent of enmity, Balthazar transcends our conceptions of simple duality because he is simultaneously both--and neither. Grant Heslov is at first coward, then hero.

Kelly Hu is at first wench, then All-Mother. As we repeatedly refer to the title again, and the Rock's character is neither the former (Scorpion), nor the latter (King), we begin to understand his transition through time.

Hence, without giving any more of the plot away, this movie is not a two dimensional form in light and sound we may think we are perceiving, but a meditation-journey within ourselves and each other. I do not recommend watching this film alone.

It is best experienced in the company of someone you truly love, especially for the massive release of tantric energy in those explosive final 30 minutes of the film. I say this with a word of caution, however, because following the climax during multiple viewings ("experiencings"), both my spouse and I temporarily swapped our selfhoods and had to live within each other's bodies uncomfortably for extended periods of what we perceived to be time and space.

If this occurs, just know you are stuck in your loved one's body until you watch the complete film again in reverse (about 1 hour, 30 minutes). In short: a must-EXPERIENCE! This is absolutely the greatest film to tackle the nature of human existence since Sean Connery's "Zardoz.

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