Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time: Film review and trailer
JAKE Gyllenhaal is not the kind of actor you expect to find in a blockbuster such as Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time.
Mike (Four Weddings And A Funeral) Newell is not the kind of director you expect to see at the helm of a movie based on a computer game. Together they bring a dash of class to this Arabian Nights-style adventure.
Rippling with muscles and goofy good spirits Gyllenhaal plays a street urchin adopted by a king and given the title of Prince Dastan.
His problems begin with a magical dagger that can turn back time. If the weapon falls into the wrong hands humanity’s fragile grip on the planet could be broken by a lethal sand storm.
A spirited Gemma Arterton fits the feisty female role to perfection and there is a scene-stealing supporting turn from Alfred Molina as Sheik Amar, even if he does seem to have strayed in from a Carry On film.
Prince Of Persia daft dialogue and silly costumes, sword fights and death-defying stunts, breathless chases and slithering snakes. Nonsense but entertaining nonsense.
VERDICT 3/5
(Cert 12A; 115 mins)
*REVIEWED BY ALLAN HUNTER