Rating of
2.5/4
Prince Proves a Video Game Can Be a Decent Film
Chris Kavan - wrote on 05/31/10
I've already expounded on my thoughts on video games-turned movies, and I was hoping Prince of Persia would finally buck the trend. While this won't completely erase the bad memory of so many other failures, it is a good step forward in my book.
As a summer film, Prince of Persia delivers exactly what I want: lots of action, plenty of great effects and interesting, if not so well-developed, characters. Like many other summer films, it was also pretty predictable on plot and story.
Jake and Gyllenhaal and Gemma Arterton are very pretty people and they make a pleasant enough bickering couple - the orphan-turned prince with amazing parkour skills and the outspoken, proper princess. Since this is Disney chesty Jake is only chesty for a short time, and don't even thing about sexual chemistry - the most we get a kiss, and it takes a while to get there.
The supporting cast, especially Alfred Molina, really shine. Ben Kingsley plays his part to the hilt, over-dramatic but having a good time. The Hassansins are all pretty cool, but for a secret sect of drug-induced killers, they seem to go down pretty easy.
The plot, as it were, is pretty straight-forward - regicide, fugitives, no taxes, magic sand that can turn back time or destroy the world and plenty of desert trekking. But, hey, you need to bored with the details, this film is all about going along for the ride and watching plenty of sword fights and building hopping, even if the editing makes it hard to follow.
So, as a video game movie, this just might be on of the best ones yet. As a film on its own, it's still pretty good, but won't make too many waves.
