“Prince of Persia” opens with a quote defining the word “destiny.” Unfortunately for the movie it is destined to be compared to “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Produced by the same team that built the incredibly successful “Pirates” franchise, “Persia” offers a wild ride but lacks the happy-go-lucky fun of “Pirates.”
Jake Gyllenhaal ("Donnie Darko," and "Zodiac") stars as Prince Dastan, an orphaned street rat who, having demonstrated an act of selfless courage on the street one day, is taken in by the king of the Persian empire. He quickly earns his place as a warrior and prince, especially after his creative battle plan to take over the mystical land of Alamut.
During the battle to overtake Alamut, Prince Dastan defeats one of Princess Tamina’s (Gemma Arterton) guards, who is protecting a dagger that can reverse time with the help of mystical sand. Ultimately, the Persians overtake Alamut.
Celebration ensues, and Prince Tus, Dastan's brother, prods Dastan to give their father a gift, knowing the ancient gesture would be overlooked by Dastan. Soon, a treacherous act shocks the celebration: After Dastan awards his father a poisoned gown (given to him by Tus), the king is consumed with burns and dies quickly. Dastan is blamed and set for death.
Dastan escapes his inevitable killing with the help of Princess Tamina. Together they embark on a journey—Dastan to prove his innocence, Tamina to guard the Dagger of Time. What follows is an engaging and enveloping ride that simulaneously thrills and shocks the viewer with its intensity.
Throughout their journey, they meet hilarious merchant bandits who organize ostrich races (one of the highlights of the movie). The bandits offer the only real comic relief in the film, constantly complaining about taxes and bureacracy, eliciting laughs from the adults in the audience. It's these nameless actors who support the mega-stars of "Persia" that not only guide the story, but make it truly enjoyable.
Contrary to the limitless trio of Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, and Keira Knightly, the chemistry between Gyllenhaal and Arterton ("Quantum of Solace," "Clash of the Titans") is apparent, but does not reach a high enough level to charm the audience into believing their repartee is genuine.
Surprisingly, Gyllenhaal pulls off the jacked and tan Persian warrior role. Known for his scrawnier roles, this 180 degree turn as a heartthrob prince works for him. His new brawn doesn't diminish his established acting credibility.
The lesser-known Arterton needs a bit more swing in her step to pull off the passionate princess protecting the time-altering dagger. Her baby-face and childish voice contrast negatively with the threats she constantly throws at Dastan. No one in the audience believes she could really stand up against Gyllenhaal's Dastan.
The CGI is incredible in "Persia." The sweeping desert landscapes and time-altering sequences delight those who know the story’s video game roots. Many of the people who worked on "Persia," like director Mike Newell and the special effects team, also worked on blockbusters like "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire."
The plot, a bit too dramatic (but still entertaining), and the computer graphics support the weaker links, like the lack of chemistry between the two main characters. With a great supporting cast and incredible graphics, “Prince of Persia” is a fun Friday night adventure, but nothing to hold on to for the ages.
Photo courtesy of imdb.com