Direct-to-decent

“The Scorpion King 3: The Battle for Redemption” is a direct-to-DVD sequel to a direct-to-DVD sequel to a prequel to a tangentially related film series that, among other terrible things, made Brendan Fraser an action hero.

That being said, the film is shockingly watchable, and while predictable and riddled with plot holes, reasonably well directed and acted.

Victor Webster stands in for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as the titular king, Mathayus, and he’s flanked by a supporting cast that includes mixed martial artist Kimbo Slice, pro-wrestler Bautista and a man who doesn’t know how to say no to a script: Ron Perlman.

The story is so derivative that it hardly bears summarizing. Mathayus is introduced as a disgraced king who has channeled his skills in combat into a career as a mercenary who fights if the price is right. He changes his tune when he meets a beautiful woman and sees the opportunity to reclaim his throne.

Like everything else in “The Scorpion King 3,” the unfolding of this is far from awe-inspiring. Still, the fact that the film is even decent, given the odds stacked against it, stands as a minor victory for all involved.