Going into a movie with massively high expectations isn’t always a good thing however as the movie has more potential to let you down. Read on to find out what I thought.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is based around the computer game designed back in the late 80’s by Jordan Mechner, a man who wrote the first draft of the movie screen story and executive producer on the movie. It’s helmed by British director, Mike Newell, who has a range of different genres under his belt including Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Donnie Brasco and Four Weddings and a Funeral. This latest Disney / Bruckheimer project is by far his biggest undertaking but I’m pleased to report that he did a mighty fine job.
The cast includes Jake Gyllenhaal as our leading man, Prince Dastan, Gemma Arterton as Princess Tamina, Alfred Molina as Sheik Amar and Sir Ben Kingsley as Nizam. We also get to see the debut of young, British actor William Foster who opens the movie with some excellent parkour (free running), bouncing off walls, jumping off high ceilings and running through a market square to avoid being caught. It really is quite an opening and sets the standard for things to come.
Synopsis: From the team that brought the “Pirates of the Caribbean” trilogy to the big screen, Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films present PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME, an epic action-adventure set in the mystical lands of Persia. A rogue prince (JAKE GYLLENHAAL) reluctantly joins forces with a mysterious princess (GEMMA ARTERTON) and together, they race against dark forces to safeguard an ancient dagger capable of releasing the Sands of Time—a gift from the gods that can reverse time and allow its possessor to rule the world.
With this first blow comes the main opening sequence of the movie called ‘The Attack on Alamut’ and what an opening it is! Watching the creativity of the writers unfold was great, and for me it was a perfect opening sequence, showing the taking of an impenetrable fortress. This sequence was filmed at Pinewood Studios on the James Bond stage and the production value of this scene is excellent. Watching hundreds of horses and hundreds of extras storming towards the city is spectacular. Good so far…..
So there’s the back story, so, is the movie any good? I think in a nutshell, it’s not as good as I was hoping it to be, but I did really enjoy it. I actually watched the film twice to make sure that my initial thoughts were valid and watching it for the second time confirmed it. The action sequences are awesome and watching the parkour (of which there are two main sections within the film) is fantastic. Parkour Legend (and Inventor) David Belle choreographed all the free running stunts in the movie and he did a fantastic job. Even down to working with William Foster (young Dastan) who had to perform many of his own stunts and looked like he been doing it for years.
Alfred Molina serves as the comic relief in the movie and in my my opinion is one of the highlights. Wait until you see the Ostrich scene and you’ll see exactly what I mean! Sir Ben Kingsley plays the usual professional part that he always does, with the chemistry between Gemma Arterton and Jake Gyllenhaal working throughout the movie. Now, onto Jake Gyllenhaal’s accent. If you didn’t know already, he uses a British accent, English to be exact, and does a mighty fine job of it. In fact, if you didn’t know that the Hollywood a-lister wasn’t American, then you would come out of the cinema thinking that he was English.
Prince of Persia may be a little confusing in places but ultimately, it’s a wonderful movie with many more positives than negatives. The set design in the movie was excellent. I don’t want to repeat what I said in my Robin Hood review a couple of days ago but again, it was so nice to see money spent on original sets rather than just relying on CGI.
No doubt a second movie will be made and I look forward to seeing it as I’m sure this franchise has a million and one places it could go. It was great to see a computer game turned into something that was thoroughly enjoyable, and I highly recommend a visit to the cinema when it’s released in UK cinemas next Friday, 21st May (today!).
You can keep track of all extensive Prince of Persia coverage here.
I hope this movie is successful enough to convince Peter Jackson to make a Halo movie. Then he can put that warthog he made to good use again.
I hope this movie is successful enough to convince Peter Jackson to make a Halo movie. Then he can put that warthog he made to good use again.
No, no, no, no NO !.
Halo is the most overrated, repetetive bs crapfest on the face of the earth, how the hell bungie got credit to make yet another game completely passes me.
Honestly speaking much better than I expected.This movie is getting a lot more positive reviews than negative ones.
Honestly speaking much better than I expected.This movie is getting a lot more positive reviews than negative ones.
I just saw this Movie on friday 21st of May, and I fucking lovvvvvvvvvvvvvveed it, the Most epick part of the movie was the Prince Dastan did the Wall Run in Slow Motion that waaas sooo sick. and the Reason why I'm a Huge fan is because I'm Persian myself (Iranian). But for the Sequel I just pray to God that they Call it the Warrior Within, you know, also add in the Persian Demon The Dahaka! that shall make it soo fucking epick and also u know which will be even Better?? well have it filmed in the Actual Country it's self.
I just saw this Movie on friday 21st of May, and I fucking lovvvvvvvvvvvvvveed it, the Most epick part of the movie was the Prince Dastan did the Wall Run in Slow Motion that waaas sooo sick. and the Reason why I'm a Huge fan is because I'm Persian myself (Iranian). But for the Sequel I just pray to God that they Call it the Warrior Within, you know, also add in the Persian Demon The Dahaka! that shall make it soo fucking epick and also u know which will be even Better?? well have it filmed in the Actual Country it's self.
Film wasn't amazing but wasn't a disaster either. Overall I'd give this film 3.5/5 and I WOULD refer it to someone who hasn't seen it. Good film.
I agree with Alex unfortunately. Halo is too overrated and generally coudn't be made into a film due to its poor story line (which is also very typical).
r4i sdhc: I agree with you….overall it wasn't a standout film.
Nima Ameli: Strongly disagree – if they introduced the demons/ monsters it would be slightly too cliche and typical of a film.