I was looking forward to this film because of the hype, and I was afraid to be disappointed. But as the film unfolded, I most definitely enjoyed this adventure from beginning to end.

Jake Gyllenhaal plays the titular Prince of Persia, Dastan, who was an urchin picked by the King from the marketplace to be his third son. He and his brothers get caught in a web of political high jinx that cross their paths with Princess Tamina of Alamut (played by Gemma Arterton),and the fabled powers of the Sands of Time.

This is Jake Gyllenhaal's most accessible film so far, and he goes to town with it. OK, granted he does not look the least bit Persian, or of that particular time period, but somehow his charisma was able to carry us on this fantastic ride. I also enjoyed his interaction with the beautiful Arterton, which sparks with humor and romance. She was my favorite part of "Clash of the Titans (2010)," and same here.

I highly recommend this film for a good old-fashioned, action-adventure film set in ancient times. The parkour sequences are definitely of the highest order and very well-edited and photographed. The sets and visual effects are excellent. Best of all, the story is intelligent and well-constructed. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has again delivered a very entertaining summer blockbuster. A very well-executed film of its genre. A must watch!

I was shocked when I learned that Jake Gyllenhaal starred in this Disney film, as it's very commercial....and Gyllenhaal otherwise seems to love taking chances and avoiding the commercial. It's hard to think of the actor from "Brokeback Mountain", "Source Code", "Nightcrawler" and "Donnie Darko" being in such a movie...a movie that is purely about making money and never tries to be art nor innovative. It's simply a movie based on a video game.

The story begins when Dastan is a poor boy. After insulting the king and his men, the king is taken by the boy's bravery and adopts the orphan. Years pass and now Dastan is an adult. He's loyal and loves the king and isn't in line to be king because the king has a biological son....who ends up being EVIL!!! The evil son has an evil plan....to kill the king and pin the murder on Dastan....which he does. But Dastan manages to escape with a plucky princess (are there any other type in Disney films??) and after discovering the power in a magic dagger, he plans on returning to bring justice to his conniving brother.

The film has a lot of special effects which in 2021 look like cut scenes from video games. Video game fans will love this, but the scenes are so obviously CGI that it took me out of it. Plus, this IS supposed to be ancient Persia....with modern special effects and NONE of the actors are Persian (Iranian).

Overall, if you love action as opposed to decent dialog and characters, then this film is for you. As for me, I just found it pretty to look at (the costumes and sets are incredible) but dull and disappointing as I've come to expect more from Gyllenhaal. And, it's interesting to note that he also expressed great disappointment in having been in the movie.

This film I see has had a mixed reception. I am inclined to think that while it is flawed it was an entertaining and above average film. As I've said, it is flawed, the film is rushed sometimes, I personally would have liked more room to breathe, the script does have its weaknesses, some of it could have been more witty and less wordy and banal though there are some funny moments, and while I don't think Gemma Arterton is a bad actress-she was brilliant in Tess of the D'Urbevilles her chemistry with Gyllanhaal is rather dull and her character was quite vapid.

However, the visuals, cinematography, costumes, special effects and sets are all excellent, as is the rousing music and exciting action sequences. The story has some nice nods to the games but is essentially a stand-alone which I didn't mind at all, and for me it was a not-too-predictable and fun story. The direction is serviceable enough, and the acting apart from Arterton is good and the characters if slightly unoriginal and under-developed fun. Jake Gyllanhaal is a handsome and likable lead, Ben Kingsley is excellent and Alfred Molina steals the show.

In conclusion, I thought it was entertaining albeit with flaws. 7/10 Bethany Cox