Review: PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME


So yeah, yet another video game franchise has been adapted to the cinema. Well, the writers didnt want to be boxed in with an already vast storyline so they decided to go their own way. Wait, what? so the story is not the game fans are familiar with? and you cannot control the characters with ur keyboard/mouse or console? So what's in it for the game fans? Just the name I'm afraid. Unless they find Jake Gyllenhaal's bare torso appealing.

So we have the name. And to justify it there has to be ancient persia and a prince. I like the touch that the prince was an orphan adopted by the king. But thats shades of Alladin. And not to mention the pet thing that everyone wants to draw parallels to these days. The American Imperialistic stance. Mostly its done covertly or subtly with glimpses here and there. But here it is in your face. Sample this: Attack on a small neutral kingdom under the guise of mass weapons being forged there. Sound familiar? Or someone moving away to set up illegal industry to evade taxes. And then being lured to help with promise of tax free gold. Too much I tell you. Maybe they should have saved some of it for the sequels.

Now we know that wise characters in fantasy are supposed to speak with a british accent. Apparently it gives the procceedings a touch of class. Obi-Wan Kenobi, Gandalf etc. But the street orphan and the princes and outlaws ...in fact, almost everyone here sporting a British accent? What were they thinking? Maybe they thought it would make it a touch more persian. Thank God they didnt throw in carpets galore. If theyre already speaking English, authenticity is pretty much out of the window. Might as well carry on with an american accent. It's truly infuriating to see Jake struggle through a British accent. And as if to encroach a bit on
another popular Ubisoft franchise Assassin's Creed they even threw in Hassassin's for good measure. Anachronistically and with completely misplaced origins of course. At the pace with which the secondary characters start winding up dead you can pretty much surmise what is going to happen in the end.

I will give the makers brownie points for not trying to foist digital 3D on us for a change. The visuals are nice, its an enjoyable ride. For those who consider themselves intellectuals but are pathetic enough to derive their intellectual stimulation exclusively through works of fiction and cinematic works, too bad. Go read a really deep and meaningful comic book I guess. Those who live their life, have a life and are looking for some entertainment - I guess it could be worth a watch.

A tip: Do not sit next to crazed teenage girls. They will ooh and aaah, pretend to be disgusted at the kissing scenes. Wince and tut loudly at even PG rated violence. In fact, for once I found myself siding with the hecklers who ended up hecking these two irritating girls I was unfortunate enough to be seated next to.