Oh Dear, not another computer game adaptation and one with a subtitle - two thoughts to strike fear into the heart of any discerning film fan. However, Prince of Persia comes with some pedigree - producer Jerry Bruckheimer managed to make a hugely entertaining blockbuster out of a theme park ride (even if he did spoil it with the sequels) and Mike Newell is a director with many good (and a not bad Harry Potter) films behind him. The star, Jake Gyllenhaal has been more at home in indie dramas than blockbuster action movies.
So what is the result like? The answer is that its probably one of the best game to film adaptations there's been, but given the competition that's not saying much. Its entertaining but not a great film. The plot is predictable, the whole sands of time dagger thing a bit cumbersome to explain. Newell is clearly more comfortable handling characters than action and many of the battles are confusingly blurry (in contrast to the much stronger, if less fun, Robin Hood). You get the impression of what they were trying to do in places - like making each of the shadowy Hassanssins different in modes of attack, but in practice its too rushed to give any of them space. The special effects start to let the film down badly towards the finale which feels a bit ill-thought out and rushed. You also get the impression that the hero isn't too bright - after all you have a character who is both a step-uncle and played by Ben Kingsley, and he still struggles to work out who the villain is.
On the other hand, if you're wanting undemanding but entertaining fun, this works very well. Gyllenhaal and Gemma Arterton as the leads are very watchable (although she is saddled with too much cumbersome exposition (as she was in Clash of the Titans)). Kingsley could sleep walk this type of villainous role, so its Alfred Molina as the ostrich-racing, slightly less than legitimate entrepreneur who absolutely steals the movie.
Overall - 6/10 This was never going to win any awards, but if you give it a chance its surprisingly fun.
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