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Based on the video game, which follows an adventurous prince who teams up with a rival princess to stop an angry ruler from unleashing a sandstorm that could destroy the world.
Jake Gyllenhaal: Dastan
Being a fan of the Prince Of Persia game series by Jordan Mechner, which dates back to the 2D original in the 80s, I was eagerly awaiting the film version.
Directed by Mike Newell, with a colourful screenplay devised from Boaz Yakin, Doug Miro, and Carlo Bernard, including a story written by the Games creator, and a merging with Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer amongst the producers.
So how does Prince Of Persia: The sands of time fair upon the big screen? Well, sit quietly and I will explain via storytelling/reviewing mode.
A breath-taking prelude begins the affair, Mike Newel lights the fuse, by giving us luscious visuals, epic beginnings, and explaining the Empire of Persia in typical Hollywood fashion. A boy from the streets is shown jumping across rooftops, swinging like a monkey and showing great courage towards a child in need of help. The king, with his brother, sees the child and he takes him as his child.
Whilst this is in effect, Original Music by Harry Gregson-Williams blasts upon our ears while the Cinematography by John Seale teasingly tempts us with it's blatant unsubtly approach honouring the adventure roots that hails Prince.
Regarding the cast of Prince Of Persia, it's easy to say they have chosen well known faces and undoubtedly rising stars from additional sources.
Jake Gyllenhaal as Dastan, results in being a witty, handsome, humourous protagonist, while also a fitting choice for being transfomed into the somersaulting prince himself.
Throw in a beauty such as Gemma Arterton as Tamina, the love interest and guardian of the dagger time device, and you have a heroine whom embodies the voice and style of Oscar Winner Rachel Weisz. There is simply something very fun here, not seen since the daftness The Mummy invoked years ago.
Ben Kingsley as Nizam would appear to be one of the most impressive cast choices, as the nefarious Uncle figure, is he a villain? Or a friend? Kingsley clearly had fun in the role...And it shows. Just watch for instance, that sly, rat-like smile as he walks through a dark soldiery training room. What does this show us? It shows he's comfortable here. Ben Kinglsey can play a Jew, he can play an Indian, he can play a Doctor...Hell, he can even transform into a nefarious gangster without batting an eye lid.
It must also be said where would Prince Of Persia be without more injections of humour? Well, if the banter between Jake Gemma isn't enough, the film-makers throw in the talented Alfred Molina playing Sheik Amar, the Ostrich racer merchant, whom talks when he really shouldn't and many of us laugh when we shouldn't in equal doses.
It's frankly quite easy to say Prince Of Persia humbles itself by being alot of things, what it lacks in originality it makes up for with pure adrenaline, and charisma.
Granted, it does sometimes feel more English than Persian, it feels drenched with effects and an epic vibe that transcends that long ago period but... It does one important thing that eclipses all others. The aspect and success regarding the fruits and labours divulged? Of course, it is indeed keeping audiences entertained and enthralled with what it shows us.
I could say, a few more circumstances and sequences involving gymnastic jumping and scaling could have been served for fans in later scenes but that's me being a perfectionist. The dialogue and time travel plot regarding the plot always seems to be the focus that the makers strive solidify.
In all conclusion and fairness, my instincts and ultimate feelings upon reflection after experiencing Prince Of Persia were positive. I came out of the theatrical viewing feeling good and entertained while also in a romantic state of reminiscence. It's harmless fluff and dazzling fun, consistent in elaborately showing vast locations, costumes that are inspiring, and perhaps going a little crazy with it's usage concerning effects. What is indeed important is that it never loses sight of it's most important goal. Which is to bring to life the figure we know and love named by the people The Prince Of Persia.
8/10
