Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Director: Mike Newell
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Gemma Arterton, Alfred Molina, Toby Kebbell, Richard Coyle and Ben Kingsley
Releasing in cinemas: May 27, 2010
Rated: PG

Building on the broad audience success of the Pirates of the Carribean series, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is aimed fairly and squarely at the family market.

Jake Gyllenhaal ripples in the imaginary ancient Persian sun as Prince Dastan, the hero from the computer game series of the same name. Dastan is the adopted son of the King of Persia, Sharaman (Ronald Pickup), and is learning the art of warfare under the tutelage of his brothers Tus (Richard Coyle) and Garsiv (Toby Kebbell). Dastan uses his streetsmarts and acrobatic agility to upstage his older brothers in their un-sanctioned invasion of the city of Alamut, busting in using unconventional means and facilitating an easy conquest.

During his hand-to-hand combat, Dastan acquires a particularly dazzling dagger, which turns out to be a prized local artifact belonging to the Alamution Princess Tamina (Gemma Arterton). Some underhanded skulduggery ensues, double crossings and false accusations abound, and Dastan finds himself on the run with Tamina in tow, desperate to regain the mystical dagger.

As with many computer game adaptations (Tomb Raider, Aeon Flux, et al), the film is all about the special effects and the action sequences, and Prince of Persia doesn't disappoint. Rather than trying to be completely realistic, the production team have embraced the story's computer generated past and rendered the special effects to mimic the software's original artwork. Stunt work and blue screen filming would have amounted to a significant portion of the film shoot.

Mike Newell leads the creative team and his Harry Potter days have given him a good grounding in both fantasy films and layering the characters, story and effects to appeal to a broad audience range.

The cast is star-studded, with supporting performers boasting such accolades as Bond Girl (Gemma Arterton), Oscar nominees (Alfred Molina) and winners (Ben Kingsley). There's not a lot for them to work with in terms of story, but all the actors embrace the fantasy genre with gusto. The script is a bit clunky in parts, but Gyllenhaal and Arterton have some witty repartee and Ben Kingsley plays the smarmy uncle to a tee.

There is some violence, and the freakish Hassansin squad sent to dispose of Dastan are certainly scary, but by and large Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is rollicking good fun for all ages.

Belinda Yench