It's nice when one goes into a movie not expecting much, and is able to walk out fully satisfied with the experience. Prince of Persia is such a movie. Most video game movies aren't worth snuff. Actually I can probably safely say that almost all video game adaptations are failures--Prince of Persia is a major step forward in reversing all of that.
The film is about an adopted young ruffian that finds favor in the king's eyes through his courageous, and selfless acts towards a friend of his on the street. The adopted riff-raff gets the title of prince and a life of luxury. Years pass and the warring Persian empire stumbles across a unique holy city and decides to capture it despite outcries from advisers saying that such an attack on a god favored sanctuary will be dire in the end. During the attack on the city our prince stumbles across a dagger that he later discovers will turn back time when used. This power is obviously not going to be overlooked by many, and a bounty of power-hungry parties pursue it. It is up to the prince, and his reluctant, elusive, meddling female companion (whose companionship he acquired during the raid on the holy city) to ensure that the magical relic is protected from the wrong sorts. The pursuit takes a personal toll on the prince as well, as those who are pursuing the dagger seek to frame him for heinous crimes.
The time-travel premise is played out surprisingly well. It has a fresh take on the much used movie gimmick, and surprised me with it's satisfying payoffs when the time-travel was used. Jake Gyllenhall provides a good enough performance as Prince Dastan, and I never had any complaints about his character throughout. When you boil it down this is a fun movie that aspires to be just that: fun. It has a similar feeling to Pirates of the Caribbean, but obviously doesn't have the genius of Johnny Depp. What it does have, though, is a very good, well-rounded cast that all equally pull there weight (especially a delightful performance by the always stellar Alfred Molina of Spider-Man 2 Doc Oc fame) in an amusing, enjoyable romp about the deserts and oasis' of the ancient Middle-East. A fun view.
Grade: B+
