Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (12A)
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Like Pirates of the Caribbean, the origin of this sword-and-sorcery epic is almost its own disclaimer: "based on a video game".
No surprise to see Jerry Bruckheimer's name up there as producer, though he has recruited a director (Mike Newell) and star (Jake Gyllenhaal) to supply humanity to its cold consumerist heart.
The plot involves an urchin-turned-prince (Gyllenhaal) being framed for his adoptive father's murder and going on the run with a feisty princess (Gemma Arterton) through the desert. Their mission: to safeguard an ancient dagger that contains the power to reverse time. Should this fall into the wrong hands, it could be turned into – aaagh! – a weapon of mass destruction. Prince of Persia resurrects a few bygones itself, mostly the derring-do of Raiders and Pirates, though in Gyllenhaal it has rebooted the hero for 21st-century tastes: muscled upper body, running-and-jumping skills à la Bourne and, weirdly, an Estuary accent. (It presumably tested well on research). Alfred Molina injects a little comedy as a corruptible trader with a thing for ostrich racing, while Ben Kingsley goes heavy on the eye-liner as a royal uncle.
"This won't be the last time we'll be together," says Jake to Gemma, the special effects thundering around them. I think that means we should expect a sequel.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments