Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010) PG-13

I saw this film on the big screen way back in May, and I watched it again on DVD this past week. I've decided to review it for anyone who hasn't seen it. For those of you who don't know, this film is loosely based on the video game, which shares the title. When I first saw Disney was releasing it I was disappointed, but it doesn't feel like a Disney film thanks to its PG-13 rating. The Sands of Time is directed by Mike Newell (Donnie Brasco, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire). He has an interesting résumé that isn't quite noteworthy, but I thought he did a fantastic job. It's not easy to make a film based on a crappy video game. The main reason this film is watchable is the always excellent Jake Gyllenhaal (Brothers, Zodiac). His accent isn't half bad, and I'm sure the ladies love the flowing locks and his exposed guns. He plays Prince Dastan, one of three sons of King Sharaman (Ronald Pickup). His brothers Tus (Richard Coyle) and Garsiv (Toby Kebbell) are blood related, but Dastan was a homeless child that the King brought in and raised as a son. King Sharaman's brother Nizam (Ben Kingsley) is his right hand man and personal advisor.

Dastan is eccentric and passes his time with street brawls and gambling. However, he is very loyal to his King and father, and he is smart, witty and a tremendous warrior. Nizam, Tus and Garsiv believe the sacred city of Alamut have been supplying their enemies with weapons. Without permission from their King, they attack the city. Thanks to Dastan, they conquer the city without a large body count. The stunning Princess Tamina (Gemma Arterton) of Alamut is hiding a secret from the Persians. It's a dagger with mythical powers, and it gets into the hands of Dastan during the battle. He doesn't realize the power he has in his possession.

Tus wishes to marry Tamina to unite the two cities, but she wants no part of him or his city. They take her hostage and bring her to see King Sheraman. The King is furious at his sons and brother, but this deed can not be undone. He must make the best of the situation. Instead of marrying Tus and Tamina, he wishes to marry Dastan and Tamina. Dastan thanks his father by presenting a sacred cloak to him that Tus gave to Dastan to give to his father. Many thanks are given and he puts on the cloak, but it burns the King to death in front of hundreds of Persians. Dastan tries to explain himself but no one will listen. So, Dastan, his best friend Bis (Reece Ritchie) and Princess Tamina try to escape. Dastan and Tamina escape but Bis isn't so lucky as an arrow goes through his heart.

Dastan doesn't know what to think of the situation, and doesn't want Tamina anywhere near him. She believes she can help him clear his name, while she saves herself from the Persians. They argue like newlyweds as they traverse the desert. Eventually Tamina uses her beauty to lure Dastan to put his guard down. She attempts to stab him and Dastan grabs the magical dagger. There is a button on the dagger that releases sand into it that turns back time, but only a few moments back. He's not sure what just happened to him, but after she attempts it all over again he realizes what the dagger is capable of. However, he used up all the sand. After he explains that he just went back in time, Tamina realizes what he's just done. She claims there is no more of the sand on earth, he doesn't believe her. He believes this dagger could be the key to his safety.

The next day they're taken captive by an unusual man named Sheik (Alfred Molina). He rules a city that is known as barbaric and evil. But it's actually just a large gambling commune. Sheik races ostriches and makes a lot of money doing so. He kidnaps them because of a large bounty on Dastans head. Dastan and Temina eventually escape after the ostriches get loose and cause a riot.

Dastan believes his brother Tus set him up, but after going back to Persia and talking to his uncle Nazim he realizes Nazim was the one who rigged the cloak. After a terrific chase through the city, Dastan and Tamina escape once again. How many close calls can they survive? Will his brothers believe him? Can Dastan trust Tamina?

I gave you the setup, but I will let you watch the film and put the pieces together. The cinematography is fantastic, the performances are for the most part believable, the script is ridiculous at times but doesn't kill the film. Arterton (Quantum of Solace, Clash of the Titans) is at her very best, Coyle is surprisingly good, Molina (The Hoax, An Education) is very funny and Gyllenhaal does his thing. There's nothing special about this film, but it's fun and entertaining, plain and simple. Definitely worth a peak!
C+