DeniReview: Prince Of Persia: Sands Of Time
May 31st 2010 05:04
Category: Adventure
Rating: 2 (1/2) out of 5
Prince Of Persia is a fantasy adventure film of epic proportions, loosely based on the video game of the same name. Like the video game, our hero, Prince Dastan (Jake Gyllenhaal), scales walls, perform acrobatic fetes with amazing agility, and wields a sword like nobody's business. He can even jump from a rooftop, while secured with a rope, free-fall four stories and magically guide himself into a window without bashing his head on the bricks, or breaking a sweat.
Dastan is the adopted third son of the Persian King Sharaman (Ronald Pickup). The King takes him in after he witnesses the young boys bravery and courage. Now, fifteen years later Dastan, joins his brothers, Tus (Richard Coyle) and Garsiv (Toby Kebell), along with the King's brother, Nazim (Ben Kingsley) as they lead the Persian Army to attack the sacred city of Alamut. Nazim has charged that the city has been selling weapons to their enemies. Despite his reservations, Dastan decides to lead his men and help breach the city walls against his brother's orders. Once inside he kills one of Princess Tasmina's (Gemma Arterton) guards who was ordered to keep the
sacred, Dagger Of Time, out of enemy hands. The dagger allows, who ever possesses it to go back in time for a short while and change events which can ultimately change the future outcome. Dastan takes the knife as part of his booty. Later, during the victory celebration, the King is assassinated and Dastan soon discovers with the help of the Princess that the ancient Dagger holds the key to preserving the Empire for it's rightful heirs.
Prince Of Persia: Sands Of Time is a beautiful film to watch. Thanks to the many wonders of CGI, the Persian Empire is recreated with rolling desert landscapes and magnificent walled fortresses, and there's enough action to keep everything interesting - aside from those moments that are also ruined by CGI where our hero leaping off buildings and flipping though the air with precision looks unconvincing. Sometimes "old school" stunts is the way to go and too much CGI makes the impossible look lame. There's even an homage to The Thief Of Bagdad.
The story was okay but what almost ruins it are the performances by the two lead actors. That's not to say that Gyllenhaal was horrible as Dastan per se, it's just that he and Arterton together are not a great combination, in fact their coupling is probably like eating chocolate with an onion - a horrible mix with gastric repercussions. Not even the comedic relief of Alfred Molina as Sheik Amar, an Entrepreneur and Ostrich racer, who constantly sticks it to "the man" with verbal tirades against paying taxes can make up for the lack of chemistry and that annoying pitch of a voice by Arterton, it's like nails on a chalk-board.
Overall the movie isn't that bad but it's not great either. There are some fun moments where the fight scenes and stunts actually work and Gyllenhaal is rather charming when he's not in the same frame as Arterton. However it's getting from point A to point B that's troubling, the script fails in connecting a good story line with poor plotting in some areas. And it never ceases to amaze me that talented writers will sit around brainstorming for good plot devices and the best they can come up with "mind-controlled viper assassins" - that anyone can think that this makes for enjoyable entertainment is mind-boggling.
So basically it was beautiful to watch, there were some great fight sequences and the plot was okay. If you must go and see this movie, don't expect much, just enjoy the ride as much as you can and when it's over, watch Donnie Darko again.
Dastan is the adopted third son of the Persian King Sharaman (Ronald Pickup). The King takes him in after he witnesses the young boys bravery and courage. Now, fifteen years later Dastan, joins his brothers, Tus (Richard Coyle) and Garsiv (Toby Kebell), along with the King's brother, Nazim (Ben Kingsley) as they lead the Persian Army to attack the sacred city of Alamut. Nazim has charged that the city has been selling weapons to their enemies. Despite his reservations, Dastan decides to lead his men and help breach the city walls against his brother's orders. Once inside he kills one of Princess Tasmina's (Gemma Arterton) guards who was ordered to keep the
Gyllenhaal and Arterton
Prince Of Persia: Sands Of Time is a beautiful film to watch. Thanks to the many wonders of CGI, the Persian Empire is recreated with rolling desert landscapes and magnificent walled fortresses, and there's enough action to keep everything interesting - aside from those moments that are also ruined by CGI where our hero leaping off buildings and flipping though the air with precision looks unconvincing. Sometimes "old school" stunts is the way to go and too much CGI makes the impossible look lame. There's even an homage to The Thief Of Bagdad.
The story was okay but what almost ruins it are the performances by the two lead actors. That's not to say that Gyllenhaal was horrible as Dastan per se, it's just that he and Arterton together are not a great combination, in fact their coupling is probably like eating chocolate with an onion - a horrible mix with gastric repercussions. Not even the comedic relief of Alfred Molina as Sheik Amar, an Entrepreneur and Ostrich racer, who constantly sticks it to "the man" with verbal tirades against paying taxes can make up for the lack of chemistry and that annoying pitch of a voice by Arterton, it's like nails on a chalk-board.
Overall the movie isn't that bad but it's not great either. There are some fun moments where the fight scenes and stunts actually work and Gyllenhaal is rather charming when he's not in the same frame as Arterton. However it's getting from point A to point B that's troubling, the script fails in connecting a good story line with poor plotting in some areas. And it never ceases to amaze me that talented writers will sit around brainstorming for good plot devices and the best they can come up with "mind-controlled viper assassins" - that anyone can think that this makes for enjoyable entertainment is mind-boggling.
So basically it was beautiful to watch, there were some great fight sequences and the plot was okay. If you must go and see this movie, don't expect much, just enjoy the ride as much as you can and when it's over, watch Donnie Darko again.
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Comment by Matt Shea
Nice one, Deni. I can't say I'm pumped about this. With 'mind-controlled viper assassins' it sounds like it could be one for the fanboys only.
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
I don't know if you liked Pirates Of The Carribean 2, but at least the action sequences were fun and cheeky, not to be taken seriously.
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
This kind of film completely doesn't appeal - which is a pity cause Gyllenhaal looks quite cool in it, but the last thing I need to see is another crappy pirate-ish sort of film
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
This is a WFC (Wait For Cable) movie. I like Gyllenhaal but this movie was just so-so. Arterton's voice drove me nuts.