Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time
3/5
Directed by: Mike Newell
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Gemma Arterton, Ben Kingsley and Alfred Molina
From its humblest beginnings as a side scrolling, simple minded video game the Prince Of Persia franchise has been characterised by fast paced jump sequences and acrobatic sword play. Something of a free-running Jackie Chan meets Aladdin, the character has always been somewhat secondary to the thrill of the ride which is possibly both a curse and a blessing when it comes to film making. Hardcore fans will want to see the signature attack sequences and high octane roof jumping but are perhaps less likely to care much about the rest. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has actually done a pretty good job of taking the character of the franchise and making it into an enjoyable film, though it is unlikely to ever be seen as anything more than that.
Dastan is a lowly street urchin whose bravery is recognised by the King of all Persia. Welcomed into the palace as one of the King’s own sons, Dastan soon finds himself caught up in a tale of treachery and greed with a classic struggle for power thrown in to the mix. Caring little for riches, Dastan sets about clearing his besmirched name and restoring peace to Persia as a fugitive on the run, accompanied by the lovely Princess Tamina.
Drawing heavily on the classic Bruckheimer combo of tightly choreographed action, slapstick comedy and archetypical characterisation, The Sands Of Time has a definite Pirates Of The Caribbean feel to it. More family fun than edgy thrill, older gamers may well be disappointed by what is a clear appeal to the schools-out-for-summer market. Alfred Molina’s turn as the often embarrassing, ostrich racing Sheik Amar, who is more likely to fall over than draw a sword, brings the project down to a level of Brendan Fraser-esque kitsch which shatters all credibility. Jake Gyllenhaal plays the devil-may-care hero quite well, though, with a cheeky smile and a determined brow, complemented nicely by Gemma Arterton’s striking beauty and brash confidence. Ultimately, of course, it is the masterful Ben Kingsley who keeps the film standing tall as only an actor of his calibre could.
Kingsley is also, unsurprisingly, just about the only lead actor in the film who could actually pass for Persian. Adrenaline and excitement aside, amidst all the poll jumping and horse riding and sand sliding, one has to stop and wonder why no one is shocked to see a little white boy running through the Persian streets of yesteryear. OK, so they were never likely to make a dark and gritty take on the video game, but the road they have taken does sacrifice a little integrity in its attempts to appease a mass audience. Though not quite as brilliant as it could have been The Sands Of Time is also not actually as bad as some might have expected!
