Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

The Sands of Time is a very nice example of how money can be wasted in the film industry when the producer thinks that a grand set design, special effects, and handsome actors in lead roles can accomplish everything. However, the story itself is unremarkable and undeveloped, and the characters get lost in it. Even actors like Ben Kingsley are shamefully underutilized, so I soon felt bored and sleepy. Of course, ladies can admire the warriors' biceps and the dresses of the movie beauties, and gentlemen can enjoy the clanging of weapons, but that doesn't change my conviction that The Sands of Time is also a waste of time. Overall impression: 45%. (03/06/2011)

This was the first time I have ever experienced being absolutely alone in the auditorium. I proprietorially swooped with a glance over the empty auditorium, laughed and let myself be carried off to far away Persia where the brave prince Dastan, mouthy princess Tamina and one super cool dagger that turns time upside down, wander... wander and save the world and each other and do the usual marvelous fairytale things. A lot has changed since I last played “Prince of Persia" (around the year ‘98). For the better (and that’s saying something, it used to be my favorite platform game, along with “Aladdin") making it even more bombastic. Jerry B. had almost everything in control, as usual: feast-for-the-eyes Gemma Anderton dressed as a princess, towns, palaces, snakes, chasms, traps, but made the mistake of letting that sentimental Mike Newell direct the movie. The only benefit that he brought to the movie is confusing action scenes, but I could easily do without them. He spoiled part four of Potter in the same way, remember? But the saving grace of this movie is the excellent tempo (there’s always something happening and something to look at) and pleasant supporting characters. Initially, I couldn’t imagine Gyllenhaal in a role like this, but in the end I was pleasantly surprised. And Harry Gregson-Williams did a good job with the music and, rather than originality, put his money on tried and tested themes with an oriental taste that is good to listen to. Did you know that ostriches have suicidal tendencies? Look at this poor thing! (07/31/2010)

Surprisingly, it exceeded my (to be honest, very low) expectations. Prince of Persia is a harmless summer blockbuster with a very likeable main couple. The story doesn’t try to be smart (any viewer with at least some experience will guess the ending) and the performances aren’t brilliant, but that would’ve been too much to expect. I had fun, so I’m satisfied. 6/10 (08/18/2010)

The Action and cinematography are well-known from computer games (Assassin's Creed). The plot is empty, unnecessarily filtered, overcomplicated, and overly colorful. Uninteresting. Only the central duo is interesting, with well-crafted dialogue, but that is a bit too little for a 200 million USD film. The people behind it relied on attracting audiences with a similar hype to Avatar, but they forgot that James Cameron, besides excellent marketing and a certain astuteness in setting the boundaries between correctness and his own way, knows how to direct very well. Mike Newell has confirmed with this that he does not. (09/18/2010)

The most talkative fairy tale that Scheherazade told us. Prince Dastan has an argument for everything, and Princess Tamina has the sharpest tongue ever known in the East, and among all the dialogues and arguments, one sometimes wishes for the storyteller's spirit to reappear, spreading the play around him in every step, jump, or duel. However, the plot pleased me more than I dared to expect. The game creator added exactly those plot twists that fascinated me in the original, and the dagger, the hourglass, the villain, and the chemistry of the main duo decided that the atmosphere of the Sands of Time had arrived. 70% (06/01/2010)