Reviewed by Kate Rodger
Disney hit the box office jackpot turning one of their theme park rides into the gazillion dollar franchise Pirates of the Caribbean. They’ll be hoping for more of the same, as they turn a videogame into blockbuster Prince of Persia.
Prince of Persia: Sands of Time has producer Jerry Bruckheimer’s name all over it - big flashy action-packed leave-your-brain-at-the-door family fare.
Jake Gyllenhaal (Donnie Darko/Brokeback Mountain) spends some serious time at the gym, beefing up rather pleasingly for his first big action man role, as the titular Prince of Persia. Opposite him, is Brit actress de jour Gemma Arterton (Quantum of Solace/Clash of the Titans) as Princess Tamina. They make a nice couple, with a playful, quite sexy on-screen chemistry, as they both gallop across the desert on a mission to save the world as they know it.
Given its videogame origins, the story itself is a pretty simple one. Gyllenhaal’s prince is the adopted son of a much-loved Persian king, his two brothers-in-arms are the king’s blood sons, and it’s all one big happy family sweeping across foreign lands laying claim to vast swathes of the planet.
One day, things go array. The king is poisoned, and our young prince is blamed. He of course runs for the sand hills, hell-bent on avenging his adopted Dad’s death. A magic dagger has a big part to play, as does an uncle (Ben Kingsley) with an unclear agenda.
There is no shortage of action here, in the most bloodless and family-friendly of ways, and the naff factor script and dialogue-wise is slightly less than the more recent romp Clash of Titans.
What Prince of Persia is not however, is a Pirates of the Caribbean. Gyllenhaal is a fine enough hero, but he’s no Captain Jack. What we’re left with is a mildly entertaining actioner which doesn’t take itself too seriously, with plenty going on to keep the boredom at bay.
Three stars.
Prince of Persia: Sands of Time
:: Director: Mike Newell
:: Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Gemma Arterton, Ben Kingsley, Alfred Molina, Toby Kebbell, Reece Ritchie
:: Running Time: 111 mins
:: Rating: M - Contains Violence
:: Release Date: May 27, 2010
:: Links: Trailer
