Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Gemma Arterton, Ben Kingsley, Ronald Pickup Director: Mike Newell Category: IIA
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is a mildly entertaining costume epic adapted from a popular video game of the same name. Rife with special effects and swordfights but completely devoid of style and logic, it is a typical summer movie for teens.
The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal (above centre) as Dastan, an orphan adopted by an ancient Persian king (Ronald Pickup) and raised alongside with his other two sons, the good-hearted Garsiv (Toby Kebbell) and the quick tempered Tus (Richard Coyle, above right). The three brothers are tricked by their uncle Nizam (Ben Kingsley, above left) into attacking a sacred city where a magic dagger, which can send people back in time, is kept by the beautiful princess Tamina (Gemma Arterton).
Dastan, after being framed by his evil uncle for poisoning his adopted father, teams up with Tamina to fight against Nizam, who attempts to usurp the Persian throne by using the magic dagger to change the past.
Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer (Pirates of the Caribbean) and directed by Mike Newell (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire), the movie has a great deal of fighting and chasing but very little drama to sustain adult interest. Furthermore, the special effects look cheap and familiar, especially after the cinematic wonders of Avatar. It's a film that lacks the style and substance necessary to entertain.
The biggest let-down, however, is Gyllenhaal, who, despite his charismatic appearance, looks ill at ease as an action hero. Gyllenhaal can radiate charm and melt your heart in smaller dramas, such as Brokeback Mountain, but starring in action flicks is not his game. Films like Prince are for Johnny Depp, who has a devil-may-care swagger and the subtlety to bring a cardboard character to life.