Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
(B- or 3/4 stars)
Can producer Jerry Bruckheimer do with 'Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time' (directed by Mike Newell, Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire) what he's done with the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise? Well, the answer is no. But it still makes for some decent, watchable, popcorn entertainment. Based on a 2003 videogame, this action movie stars beefed-up, long-maned Jake Gyllenhaal as Dastan. He is the proud, adventurous adopted son of revered Persian King Sharaman (Ronald Pickup). Along with his 2 brothers: the elder, more sensible Tus & the tempestuous Garsiv (Richard Coyle, Toby Kebbell), as well as his ambitious Uncle Nizam (Sir Ben Kingsley), Dastan is ordered to (with the entire Persian Army) invade the holy city of Alamut - a kingdom thought to be hiding major weapons.
However, when a victory celebration goes terribly wrong, Dastan finds himself accused of murdering his father & is forced to go on the run with only the beautiful, but mysterious captive Princess Tamina (Gemma Arterton) at his side. Dastan soon finds out that Tamina is only after one thing, an ancient time-shifting dagger that he picked up in a tussle with one of her guards. And when they finally stop bickering, bantering, & trying to kill each other, Dastan discovers that said dagger (a gift from the gods) can reverse time (for about a minute or so), thus preventing a sinister plot which would unleash a sandstorm that destroys the world. Can this dynamic duo use the mystical Dagger of Time to their benefit, defeat the person who framed Dastan for murder, & restore power to the rightful ruler?
2 things come to mind when thinking about my critique of this film. 1) It takes a lonnng time to get going. 2) But once it does, it's pretty good. With family/fantasy wizard Mike Newell at the helm, 'Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time' is an intermittently lively romp through ancient desert lands. This movie is pure escapist cinema - sit back, turn your brain off & try to have a good time -- just don't expect a masterpiece. 'PoP' is a fairly innocuous adventure tale. Furthermore, the story is as convoluted as they come. Crazy things happen because they have to. Coincidences occur because they must - to get to the end of the film.
Technically, the film is great to look at. The acrobatic rooftop chases are really neat to watch. Picture Aladdin; but in live-action. The special effects are good in spots, but slipshod in others. John Seale's sweeping, sun-lit cinematography is gorgeous to look at -- I mean, gorgeous. The art direction (wondrous palaces) & Penny Rose's costumes are superb. The sound design (castle sieges, storms) is crisp. And I also liked Harry Gregson-Williams' Middle-Eastern themed musical score. So overall, it's a handsome production to experience, for sure.
Jake Gyllenhaal - looking as fit as a fiddle - makes for a likeable, if somewhat goofy hero. He's a charismatic actor. But like the movie itself, it took me a while to feel comfortable watching him. Ditto for Gemma Arterton (quite the looker), who sinks her teeth into the role as the film progresses. I liked the chemistry btwn. these 2, but the script fails to expand upon that chemistry; keeping it at a simmer, rather than a boil. I enjoyed Alfred Molina as a tax-fearing sheikh who runs ostrich races. Most of the humor (when there is any) comes from this character. And Steve Toussaint made for a fun African knife thrower. As for the movie having a 'message', I liked the 'trust your heart' moral. And it's executed in a satisfactory way.
I don't think this movie will prosper as the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has because the characters aren't quite as loveable, the story is a bit too cheesy, & my level of interest of what was going on went in & out throughout. One moment I was engaged, the next confused, and back again. Overall, 'Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time' is an impressive-looking, but narratively inconsistent film full of ancient myths, dazzling swordplay, confounding plot points, & good looking actors. I thought I'd have had a little more fun watching it, but despite some tepid reviews, I did enjoy 'Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time' as summer cinema entertainment.
However, when a victory celebration goes terribly wrong, Dastan finds himself accused of murdering his father & is forced to go on the run with only the beautiful, but mysterious captive Princess Tamina (Gemma Arterton) at his side. Dastan soon finds out that Tamina is only after one thing, an ancient time-shifting dagger that he picked up in a tussle with one of her guards. And when they finally stop bickering, bantering, & trying to kill each other, Dastan discovers that said dagger (a gift from the gods) can reverse time (for about a minute or so), thus preventing a sinister plot which would unleash a sandstorm that destroys the world. Can this dynamic duo use the mystical Dagger of Time to their benefit, defeat the person who framed Dastan for murder, & restore power to the rightful ruler?
2 things come to mind when thinking about my critique of this film. 1) It takes a lonnng time to get going. 2) But once it does, it's pretty good. With family/fantasy wizard Mike Newell at the helm, 'Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time' is an intermittently lively romp through ancient desert lands. This movie is pure escapist cinema - sit back, turn your brain off & try to have a good time -- just don't expect a masterpiece. 'PoP' is a fairly innocuous adventure tale. Furthermore, the story is as convoluted as they come. Crazy things happen because they have to. Coincidences occur because they must - to get to the end of the film.
Technically, the film is great to look at. The acrobatic rooftop chases are really neat to watch. Picture Aladdin; but in live-action. The special effects are good in spots, but slipshod in others. John Seale's sweeping, sun-lit cinematography is gorgeous to look at -- I mean, gorgeous. The art direction (wondrous palaces) & Penny Rose's costumes are superb. The sound design (castle sieges, storms) is crisp. And I also liked Harry Gregson-Williams' Middle-Eastern themed musical score. So overall, it's a handsome production to experience, for sure.
Jake Gyllenhaal - looking as fit as a fiddle - makes for a likeable, if somewhat goofy hero. He's a charismatic actor. But like the movie itself, it took me a while to feel comfortable watching him. Ditto for Gemma Arterton (quite the looker), who sinks her teeth into the role as the film progresses. I liked the chemistry btwn. these 2, but the script fails to expand upon that chemistry; keeping it at a simmer, rather than a boil. I enjoyed Alfred Molina as a tax-fearing sheikh who runs ostrich races. Most of the humor (when there is any) comes from this character. And Steve Toussaint made for a fun African knife thrower. As for the movie having a 'message', I liked the 'trust your heart' moral. And it's executed in a satisfactory way.
I don't think this movie will prosper as the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has because the characters aren't quite as loveable, the story is a bit too cheesy, & my level of interest of what was going on went in & out throughout. One moment I was engaged, the next confused, and back again. Overall, 'Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time' is an impressive-looking, but narratively inconsistent film full of ancient myths, dazzling swordplay, confounding plot points, & good looking actors. I thought I'd have had a little more fun watching it, but despite some tepid reviews, I did enjoy 'Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time' as summer cinema entertainment.