Not quite as badly as past efforts (Super Mario Bros.) but still for all it's leaping, jumping and impressive Parkour antics it still falls short. Mike Newell's Prince of Persia: The Sands Of Time adaptation efforts are sturdy and some of the set pieces are impressive enough but for a Bruckhiemer production you can't help feeling that there was simply not enough money in the pot.The script feels as though it was written with a classic Indiana Jones vibe, in one scene it almost lifts dialogue straight from Raiders, but then re-written to explain the time bending powers of the mystical dagger maguffin. Indeed this explanation is so painfully over explained that you can't help feeling patronized. Jake Gyllenhaal never really reaches his stride as a leading man and God knows why they decided on his 'British' accent. The most solid performances come from Gemma Arterton as the plucky princess and Alfred Molina as the sleazy bandit whilst Sir Ben Kingsly simply put on loads of mascara and seemingly turned up for duties as a pantomime baddie.
That said it's not that bad a film, it ticks all of the genre boxes and although you won't be scoffing popcorn it is still and enjoyable romp. Let's just hope they don't angle for a sequel as it would be as pointless as making this film in the first place.
