Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Mike Newell, Walt Disney Pictures, M, 116 Minutes.
Mike Newell (‘Donnie Brasco’) has fashioned an enthralling action adventure fantasy engaging brilliant filmmaker Jerry Bruckheimer (‘The Rock’) as producer in directing this exciting swords and sandals spectacular set in the mystical domains of sixth century Persia.
Dastan (Jake Gyllenhaal – ‘Prisoners’) is a street scamp before the King adopts him as his son then joining his foster brothers Garsiv (Toby Kebbell – ‘Cheri’) and Tus (Richard Coyle – ‘W.E’) fifteen years later in the Persian Army’s onslaught on Alamut.
While Garsiv leads the assault on the sacred city Dastan has found a different way to enter Alamut allowing him to seize from Princess Tamina (Gemma Arterton – ‘Byzantium’) the coveted Dagger of Time – enabling the magic sands inside to reverse time.
This is the same dagger desperately sought by King Sharaman’s brother Nizam (Ben Kingsley – ‘The Dictator’) after blaming Dastan for the King’s mysterious death before escaping with Tamina in a dramatic bid to clear his name.
Along the way the pair encounter some bandits namely Sheik Amar (Alfred Molina – ‘Abduction’) an ostrich-racing promoter and his sidekick Seso who attempt to steal the dagger and take Dastan and Tamina to Tus the new King for the reward.
However on Dastan’s return to Persia he receives an antagonistic reception from Tus and Garsiv having earlier been told by Nizam that their half-brother (Dastan) intends to overthrow them- unaware of Nizam’s complicity in a conspiracy to become King.
Realising that Nizam was behind the murder of his brother Dastan confronts him in the Sandglass caves where he succeeds in wresting control of the dagger empowering him to reverse time and restoring the kingdom to his foster brothers.
At the same time Dastan is reunited with Tamina and besides returning the Dagger of Time for her safe keeping is offered her as a bride by his foster brother Tus.
In joining with Bruckheimer in the production of this exhilarating motion picture Newell has ensured a thoroughly enjoyable movie experience filled with some fascinating twists and turns not to mention the many entertaining spills and thrills.
Apart from the stellar ensemble cast and the stunning Moroccan settings are the delightful portrayals by Gyllenhaal as Dastan and Arterton as Tamina in particular the powerful performances of Kingsley as Nizam and Molina as the Sheik.
This is one fun movie that everyone should watch.
Prince of Persia – The Sands of Time will be shown on Channel 7flix at 9.00PM on Saturday 6 June.
Vic’s Verdict: 4 Stars
