Review: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Let the summer blockbuster race begin! One of the firsts out of the gate is Disney’s Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, starring an excellently buff Jake Gyllenhaal. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer is hoping to capture the same magic that surrounded another one of his big budget, costume adventure hits, The Pirates of the Caribbean. But Captain Jack’s boots are hard to fill. Will this popular video game cum action movie make the grade?

Prince Dastan (Jake Gyllenhaal) is an orphan from the streets raised in the palace by the Persian king with his two sons the Princes Garsiv (Tony Kebbell – that drugged out rock star in RocknRolla) and Tus (Richard Coyle – “Jeff” on the original “Coupling”). The brothers and their uncle and trusted advisor to the royal family Nizam (Ben Kingsley) receive intelligence that the holy city of Alamut has been supplying swords and other weapons of mass destruction to Persia’s enemies. A successful sacking of the city reveals more than the Princes thought. Princess Tamina of Alamut (Gemma Arterton – “Io” in Clash of the Titans) is the ordained keeper of a sacred knife with great magical powers that fumbles into Dastan’s hands. A series of events forces Dastan to flee with Tamina into the desert to unravel the mystery of the knife and discover who has set him up as a murderer. Strange allies and deadly assassins cross their path which ultimately leads to a final struggle of epic proportions.

Sounds exciting, eh? It’s the kind of movie you’d expect to see Sabu starring in with Errol Flynn and a cast of thousands. That’s clearly what the filmmakers were going for here. It’s got big sets, lavish costumes, tons of stunts and action all set in an exotic locale. Ultimately though, Sands of Time failed to engage or interest me. As I was watching I was thinking how much it reminded me of the aforementioned Clash of the Titans remake (which isn’t necessarily a good thing) as well as Tasem’s The Fall. Very little in this film is original or new or even authentic (using a majority of European actors for the leads). It’s a challenge to find what did work.

Sand of Time looks beautiful: sumptuous scenery and luxurious clothing (Gemma exhibits a dizzying array in her frequent costume changes). Ultimately it’s all shiny surface with little heart. The first act drags but things pick up with the introduction of Sheik Amar played by Alfred Molina. Amar is a “questionable entrepreneur” trying to live a tax-free life out in the wilderness and is responsible for the majority of the film’s humor. Bruckheimer really likes Molina because he’s the heavy in the upcoming Magician’s Apprentice which Bruckheimer also produced.

If you’re a Jake Gyllenhaal fan, than this is your movie. He’s pretty much in every scene and his shirt is open in pretty much every scene. He is sporting an English accent along with his rippling muscles and distractingly bad wig (we’re talking “Jack” on “Lost” bad here). The accent is decent. Since he’s supposed to be from the streets the fact that it’s not polished works all right. There is a bewildering amount of stunt work in this film. In particular the use of parkour is prevalent and Jake jumps about and wields his saber convincingly. Besides the hair my other major issue with Jake was how out of place he seemed at time. He’d have an expression on his face or an inflection to his voice that was too modern and out of character with the story. But if Jake is your man, you’re not going to even notice that.

The elements were all there to have a decent hit but Prince of Persia: The Sand of Time simply doesn’t deliver. It is not a bad movie. It’s yet just another sad example of a film that, despite having every opportunity to do so, never reaches its true potential. I know there is talk of sequels already. If I cared at all about the characters I’d be happy to line up at the Cineplex to see it. I wonder if we can have the Sands of Time run back to when they first came up with this idea…

Prince of Persia: Sands of Time

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.

Directed by Mike Newell (“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”) with a cast that includes SIR BEN KINGSLEY and ALFRED MOLINA, PRINCE OF PERSIA: SANDS OF TIME hits theaters Memorial Day weekend 2010.

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Walt Disney Studios Announces Wondercon 2010 Lineup

STUDIO TO SHOWCASE “PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME,”
“THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE” AND “TOY STORY 3″

Jake Gyllenhaal, Jordan Mechner, Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Teresa Palmer-
plus Filmmakers Jerry Bruckheimer, Mike Newell, Jon Turteltaub and Lee Unkrich expected at San Francisco convention

BURBANK, Calif. (March 11, 2010) – Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures has tappedkey cast members and filmmakers from three upcoming films to take part in WonderCon 2010, one of the industry’s most popular comics and pop culture conventions, April 2-4, 2010, at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures’ presentations include:
* “PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME” – Jake Gyllenhaal (the film’s Prince
Dastan), Jordan Mechner (executive producer and creator of the video game that inspired the film), director Mike Newell and producer Jerry Bruckheimer share insights about and footage from this epic action adventure set in the mythical lands of Persia. Geoff Boucher will moderate. Saturday, April 3, 2010, 12:15-12:45 p.m. Esplanade Hall.

* “THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE” – Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Teresa Palmer, director Jon Turteltaub and producer Jerry Bruckheimer discuss this summer’s most magical adventure that stars Cage as the sorcerer and Baruchel as his reluctant apprentice-all in modern-day Manhattan. A sneak-peek of footage from the film will be shared. Geoff Boucher will moderate. Saturday, April 3, 2010, 12:45-1:15 p.m. Esplanade Hall.

* “TOY STORY 3″ – Director Lee Unkrich from Disney*Pixar’s all-new comedy adventure shares a few toy stories, plus a sneak peek of footage from the film, which stars Woody, Buzz and all of Andy’s favorite toys, as well as some new faces, including Barbie’s friend Ken, a pink teddy bear named Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear and a thespian hedgehog named Mr. Pricklepants. Saturday, April 3, 2010, 1:15-1:45 p.m. Esplanade Hall.

ABOUT THE MOVIES
PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME
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. PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME is directed by Mike Newell (“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”) with a cast that includes BEN KINGSLEY and ALFRED MOLINA, a screenplay by Boaz Yakin and Doug Miro & Carlo Bernard, and a screen story by Jordan Mechner. In theaters May 28, 2010.

TOY STORY 3
The creators of the beloved “Toy Story” films re-open the toy box and bring
moviegoers back to the delightful world of our favorite gang of toy characters in
TOY STORY 3. As Andy prepares to depart for college, Buzz, Woody and the rest of his loyal toys are troubled about their uncertain future. Directed by Lee Unkrich (co-director of “Toy Story 2″ and “Finding Nemo”), TOY STORY 3 is a comical new adventure in Disney Digital 3D(tm) that lands the toys in a room full of untamed tots who can’t wait to get their sticky little fingers on these “new” toys. It’s pandemonium as they try to stay together, ensuring “no toy gets left behind.” Meanwhile, Barbie comes face to plastic face with Ken (yes, that Ken), and a few new toys join in the fun, including a thespian hedgehog named Mr. Pricklepants and a strawberry-scented teddy bear named Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear. Pixar veteran Darla K. Anderson (“Cars,” “Monsters, Inc.”) produces, while Michael Arndt, Academy Award®-winning screenwriter of “Little Miss Sunshine,” brings his unique talents and comedic sensibilities. In theaters June 18, 2010.

THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE
Walt Disney Studios, producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Jon Turteltaub, the creators of the “National Treasure” franchise, present THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE — an innovative and epic comedy adventure about a sorcerer and his hapless apprentice who are swept into the center of an ancient conflict between good and evil. Balthazar Blake (NICOLAS CAGE) is a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan trying to defend the city from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath (ALFRED MOLINA). Balthazar can’t do it alone, so he recruits Dave Stutler (JAY BARUCHEL), a seemingly average guy who demonstrates hidden potential, as his reluctant protégé. The sorcerer gives his unwilling accomplice a crash course in the art and science of magic, and together, these unlikely partners work to stop the forces of darkness. It’ll take all the courage Dave can muster to survive his training, save the city and get the girl as he becomes THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE. The screenplay is by Matt Lopez and Doug Miro & Carlo Bernard from a screen story by Matt Lopez and Larry Konner & Mark Rosenthal. In theaters July 16, 2010.

ABOUT WONDERCON
Brought to you by the same people who produce Comic-Con in San Diego, WonderCon is one of the country’s leading and most popular comics and pop culture conventions.