History YMMV / TheScorpionKing

** Music/JohnDebney's score is a delightful blend of good old adventure symphonics mixed with adrenaline-pumping rock guitars and drums.

* TheProblemWithLicensedGames / SugarWiki/NoProblemWithLicensedGames: Two video game tie-ins were released; ''Rise of the Akkadian'' for the UsefulNotes/GameCube and UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 (which acts as a prequel to the film) and ''Sword of Osiris'' for the UsefulNotes/GameBoyAdvance (which acts as a sequel to it). While ''Rise of the Akkadian'' was panned for being a bland and repetitive beat 'em up, ''Sword of Osiris'' actually got some praise for being a pretty solid little side-scrolling action/platformer. Considering it was developed by Creator/WayForwardTechnologies, who are well known for putting serious effort into even their licensed output, this isn't too surprising.

** First film: [[NotSoWellIntentionedExtremist Memnon]] is the [[EvilOverlord king]] of an invading horde of warriors from the east who kidnapped the sorceress, Cassandra, to use her foreseeing ability to enact a brutal campaign across the land. Leaving [[RapePillageAndBurn countless settlements in flames]], Memnon would have all within slaughtered, even if they surrendered. [[VillainousCrush Developing an unhealthy obsession]] with Cassandra, Memnon intends to take her for himself when his acts of conquest are complete. When Mathayus attempts to assassinate him, Memnon forces him to watch as he slits Mathayus' brother's throat and leaves him to be [[EatenAlive devoured]] by killer ants. With Mathayus escaping with Cassandra, Memnon intends on having his armies wipe out the remaining tribes to claim Cassandra for himself and impose the "order" he craves.

** First film: [[NotSoWellIntentionedExtremist Memnon]] is the [[EvilOverlord ruthless king]] of an invading horde of warriors from the east. Kidnapping the sorceress Cassandra when she was young, Memnon develops an [[VillainousCrush unhealthy obsession]] with her, only refraining from making a move to her because it would take her foreseeing abilities away. Using Cassandra's ability, Memnon leads a brutal campaign across numerous settlements, [[RapePillageAndBurn burning them and slaughtering all within them]], even if they surrendered. When Mathayus attempts to assassinate Cassandra, Memnon has his men hold him down while he slits Mathayus's brother's throat and leaves Mathayus to be EatenAlive by killer ants. When Mathayus escapes with Cassandra from Memnon's keep, Memnon has his top enforcer Thorak use a poisoned arrow to in an attempt to painfully kill Mathayus and bring Cassandra back to him. Memnon then plans to send a raiding party to wipe out the remaining members of the tribes that hadn't submitted to his rule and claim Cassandra for himself.

** ''[[VideoGame/TheScorpionKingRiseOfTheAkkadian]]'': [[BigBad Magus]] is an EvilSorcerer who infiltrates Khemet, murdering its lord and an innocent concubine to draw in [[PlayerCharacter Mathayus]] so he may use the Akkadian to find the Sword of Osiris. Magus attempts to exterminate the Akkadian people with his armies, [[ManipulativeBastard manipulating Mathayus]] the entire time until he reveals himself after kidnapping Mathayus's brothers for sacrifices. Upon summoning Set, Magus plans to [[OmnicidalManiac annihilate the world]] of the living itself to reign over the land of the dead.

** ''[[VideoGame/TheScorpionKing Rise of the Akkadian]]'': [[BigBad Magus]] is an EvilSorcerer who infiltrates Khemet, murdering its lord and an innocent concubine to draw in [[PlayerCharacter Mathayus]] so he may use the Akkadian to find the Sword of Osiris. Magus attempts to exterminate the Akkadian people with his armies, [[ManipulativeBastard manipulating Mathayus]] the entire time until he reveals himself after kidnapping Mathayus's brothers for sacrifices. Upon summoning Set, Magus plans to [[OmnicidalManiac annihilate the world]] of the living itself to reign over the land of the dead.

* FanonDiscontinuity: The first movie works fine on its own without ''The Mummy'' movies or the sequels/prequels being considered.

* PoorMansSubstitute: Of ''Franchise/ConanTheBarbarian'', [[Film/ConanTheBarbarian1982 the first movie]] in particular. Bare-chested, manly, ripped hero? Check. Thief sidekick? Check. A villain that murdered the hero's people? Check. A hero who's dying of poison and must be saved by a dangerous magic ritual? Check.

* VeryLooselyBasedOnATrueStory: More like InNameOnly, really. Apparently the Scorpion King was, indeed a real person. However, it seems that the only thing the guy here has in common with him is the title.

** [[BigBad Sargon]], king of Akkad in ''Rise of a Warrior'', uses black magic to kill Mathayus's father with scorpions, and then [[EvilOverlord runs a horrific regime]] where people are killed just for speech he dislikes. When [[AntiHero Mathayus]] infiltrates his guard to kill him, Sargon tries to force Mathayus to kill his own brother Noah to test his loyalty and uses black magic to kill Noah when Mathayus refuses. Seeking more dark power from the goddess [[GreaterScopeVillain Astarte]], Sargon attempts to massacre all of Akkad by burning the people alive while he attempts to kill Mathayus personally.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheScorpionKing The Scorpion King: Rise of the Akkadian]]'': [[BigBad Magus]] is an EvilSorcerer who infiltrates Khemet, murdering its lord and an innocent concubine to draw in [[PlayerCharacter Mathayus]] so he may use the Akkadian to find the Sword of Osiris. Magus attempts to exterminate the Akkadian people with his armies, [[ManipulativeBastard manipulating Mathayus]] the entire time until he reveals himself after kidnapping Mathayus's brothers for sacrifices. Upon summoning Set, Magus plans to [[OmnicidalManiac annihilate the world]] of the living itself to reign over the land of the dead.

* AndYouThoughtItWouldFail: Many expected a film featuring the Rock would fail. When the first film came out, it became a financial success and started Dwayne Johnson's acting career.

* FirstInstallmentWins: While no one would hold it up as a paragon of great cinema, the first movie is definitely the most well-known and well-regarded.

* {{Narm}}: The sequel gets a special prize for having a villain who turns into an invisible giant scorpion. No, not a regular giant scorpion, but one which is invisible as well. If you are thinking the concept of "Invisible Giant Scorpion" sounds like the name of a trope in the line of NinjaPirateZombieRobot, you aren't alone.
* NarmCharm: Also a lot. Especially Creator/BillyZane in the third film. HamAndCheese ''galore''.

** In fact, the movie's costuming, style, and story is actually much closer to the look and feel of the Conan comic magazines (and thus the original stories) than pretty much any other Conan movie that's been made. The first ''Scorpion King'' movie did the Conan setting better than ''Conan'' did.
** Funnily enough, the ''new'' ''Conan the Barbarian'' movie starring Jason Momoa has drawn some criticism for being a poor man's substitute for ''The Scorpion King''.
** The first movie could almost be considered a StealthParody; essentially the SwordAndSandal genre's equivalent to ''Film/{{Commando}}''.

* SoBadItsGood: Oh good lord, is it ever. It's like somebody filmed the kind of classic heroic fantasy pulp novel you buy for a dollar at a bargain bin.

* SpiritualAdaptation: As we are sure you've guessed from PoorMansSubstitute.

** [[BigBad Sargon]], king of Akkad in ''Rise of a Warrior'', uses black magic to kill Mathayus's father with scorpions, and then [[EvilOverlord runs a horrific regime]] where people are killed just for speech he dislikes. When [[TheProtagonist Mathayus]] infiltrates his guard to kill him, Sargon tries to force Mathayus to kill his own brother Noah to test his loyalty and uses black magic to kill Noah when Mathayus refuses. Seeking more dark power from the goddess [[GreaterScopeVillain Astarte]], Sargon attempts to massacre all of Akkad by burning the people alive while he attempts to kill Mathayus personally.

** So ''Rise of a Warrior'' gets Creator/RandyCouture as the BigBad for an entry in a series that is known for having some pretty awesome melee fight scenes. The final battle should be pretty cool, with him being a hell of a UFC fighter and all. So what do they do? Have his character transform into a ''[[ConspicuousCGI horrendously]]'' animated giant ''invisible'' CG scorpion.

* CompleteMonster: [[BigBad Sargon]], king of Akkad in ''Rise of a Warrior'', uses black magic to kill Mathayus's father with scorpions, and then [[EvilOverlord runs a horrific regime]] where people are killed just for speech he dislikes. When [[TheProtagonist Mathayus]] infiltrates his guard to kill him, Sargon tries to force Mathayus to kill his own brother Noah to test his loyalty and uses black magic to kill Noah when Mathayus refuses. Seeking more dark power from the goddess [[GreaterScopeVillain Astarte]], Sargon attempts to massacre all of Akkad by burning the people alive while he attempts to kill Mathayus personally.

* {{Narm}}: A lot.
** The sequel gets a special prize for having a villain who turns into an invisible giant scorpion. No, not a regular giant scorpion, but one which is invisible as well. If you are thinking the concept of "Invisible Giant Scorpion" sounds like the name of a trope in the line of NinjaPirateZombieRobot, you aren't alone.

* AwesomeMusic: Music/{{Godsmack}}'s [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYjZK_6i37M I Stand Alone]] and Mushroomhead's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgPLqqhrBZM Along The Way]]

** ''[[VideoGame/TheScorpionKing The Scorpion King: Rise of the Akkadian]]'': [[BigBad Magus]] is an EvilSorcerer who infiltrates Khemet, murdering its lord and an innocent concubine to draw in [[PlayerCharacter Mathayus]] so he may use the Akkadian to find the Sword of Osiris. Magus attempts to exterminate the Akkadian people with his armies, [[ManipulativeBastard manipulating Mathayus]] the entire time until he reveals himself after kidnapping Mathayus's brothers for sacrifices. Upon summoning Set, Magus plans to[[OmnicidalManiac annihilate the world]] of the living itself to reign over the land of the dead.

* NarmCharm: Also a lot. Especially Billy Zane in the third film. HamAndCheese ''galore''.

* CompleteMonster: [BigBad Sargon]], king of Akkad in ''Rise of a Warrior'', uses black magic to kill Mathayus's father with scorpions, and then [[EvilOverlord runs a horrific regime]] where people are killed just for speech he dislikes. When [[TheProtagonist Mathayus]] infiltrates his guard to kill him, Sargon tries to force Mathayus to kill his own brother Noah to test his loyalty and uses black magic to kill Noah when Mathayus refuses. Seeking more dark power from the goddess [[GreaterScopeVillain Astarte]], Sargon attempts to massacre all of Akkad by burning the people alive while he attempts to kill Mathayus personally.

* TheProblemWithLicensedGames / NoProblemWithLicensedGames: Two video game tie-ins were released; ''Rise of the Akkadian'' for the UsefulNotes/GameCube and UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 (which acts as a prequel to the film) and ''Sword of Osiris'' for the UsefulNotes/GameBoyAdvance (which acts as a sequel to it). While ''Rise of the Akkadian'' was panned for being a bland and repetitive beat 'em up, ''Sword of Osiris'' actually got some praise for being a pretty solid little side-scrolling action/platformer. Considering it was developed by Creator/WayForwardTechnologies, who are well known for putting serious effort into even their licensed output, this isn't too surprising.