Motion Picture- Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Bibliographic information:

Bruckheimer, J., Oman, C., McLeod, E., Stenson, M. (Producers), & Newell, M. (Director). (2010). Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time . United States: Jerry Bruckheimer Studios.

Plot Summary:

            Dastan (Jake Gyllenhaal) is an orphan who, through an act of courage, impresses the king of Persia who decides to adopt Dastan and raises him as his own son.  The story moves ahead a number of years and Dastan is a young man and a warrior in his father’s army.  He has a number of sibling rivalry issues with his adoptive brothers, also officers in the army.  The Persians attack the city of Alamut on the advice of the king’s Brother Nizam, (Ben Kingsley).  Princess Tamina (Gemma Arterton), a member of the Alamut royal family is the guardian of a magical dagger housed in Alamut.  The city is taken and the king of Persia and Dastan captures the dagger and plays a big part in the taking of the city.  The Persian King is killed at the victory dinner by poison in a gown that Dastan gives him, which was suggested by Nizam.  Dastan is framed for the assassination and flees with Tamina being pursued by soldiers and man hunters. 

            Dastan learns from Tamina that the dagger can turn back time when charged with magical sand.  Dastan and Tamina make their escape to an area ran by bandits and find refuge.  Dastan later returns to Alamut to attend his father’s funeral and convince his uncle that he is innocent.  An interview with his uncle shows Dastan who has framed him and the magical properties of the dagger are used many times to turn back the clock and run different versions of the plot until the explosive conclusion.   

Critical Evaluation:

            The special effects of this film are very good, but the plot is not bad either.  This film was based on a video game by the same name.  The acting is not too bad, Ben Kingsley is a superb actor, and Jake Gyllenhaal does not do a bad job either.  I do have a criticism about the acting and it is kind of a pet peeve.  I do not know why the American star Gyllenhaal, who is playing a Persian, uses a British accent, it really gets under my skin for some reason, but it probably impacts other viewers far less. The action sequences are excellent and the film moves along at a pretty quick pace which does not let any one scene get stale before an explosion of sound and noise.  The film is more or less a good action film with a good dose of magic and the classic plot of a young hero and heroine who try to save the day and fall in love.  Perhaps it is exactly those elements which make it a good film.

Author Information:
Based on the popular video game by the same name
Viewers Annotation:

Dastan is an adopted prince of Persia who must clear his name when he is framed for killing his adoptive father.  To do this he must turn back time through the use of a magical dagger and the help of a beautiful princess.

Genre:

Action Adventure

Curriculum Ties:

N/A

Interest Age:

13+
Filmtalking Ideas:
1. Discuss the role that magic plays in the development of the plot.
2.  Dastan and Tamina are supposed to be enemies yet fall for each other, focus on this relationship.
3.  Dastan is adopted, center the talk on the challenges this presents when dealing with his adoptive family.
Challenge Issues:

Violence/Magic Rated PG-13

Challenge Defense Ideas:

1.  Watch the film.

2.  Be Familiar with the policy of the ALA and your institution.

3. Make a note of the contents of the work and how they fall in with the collection development policy of your institution and the standpoint of the ALA. 

4. Gain an awareness of the awards, reviews, and criticisms of the film.

5. Know the process for materials challenges at your library.

Why did you include this film? :

This film is an adaptation of a very popular video game and it has appeal to teens of all ages. 

Film Website/Cast and Crew Information:

http://adisney.go.com/disneypictures/princeofpersia/