Let me just say……. WOW. This movie shows amazing promise. If this film executes this script just as it reads there is little to no doubt in my mind that Disney’s PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME is going to be a huge summer blockbuster with the potential to be an ongoing franchise. It is one hell of a ride and, above all, it is FUN!
You do not have to be a fan of the games to enjoy this thing. If you carry an affection towards Aladdin, Arabian Nights, Sinbad, or any other Arabian type adventure then PRINCE OF PERSIA : THE SANDS OF TIME is undoubtedly a flick you will love to death.
This movie is one of the first to fully capitalize on the use of PARKOUR, which is the art of moving ones body from point A to point B in a quick and efficient way using only the ability of the human body. It enables an individual to overcome many obstacles in their surroundings. It is something that can be utilized in rural and urban areas.
It is meant to help one overcome obstacles, which can be anything in the surrounding environment — from branches and rocks to rails and concrete walls — so Parkour can be practiced in both rural and urban areas. This is a fundamental aspect of the games so it is very encouraging to see it be so embedded into the script and storyline of the film.
Parkour will become a worldwide obsession after Prince of Persia is released because of the athleticism that is involved in order practice the techniques. It will get your ass into shape. That’s for sure.
To sum up this movie in a few short words: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is 9th century Indiana Jones.
Now lets get into a lite movie spoiler run down of how the move plays out.
The opening sequence is filled with action. It involves Dastan’s Uncle Nizam and The Persian Army. They are in pursuit of a thief who has been smuggling weapons to Nasaf’s enemies. Dastan is the youngest son of the king of Nasaf, King Shahraman. Dastan has three siblings. Two twin brothers Farhan and Farhad and his oldest brother is Tus
We first meet Dastan at a knife throwing contest where he is wagering bets. During this time he is called into a Persian army tent and sits beside his older brothers.
Nizam informs his nephews that a secret ally of their enemy is the kingdom of Alamut. Tus explains that his father, the King, told him that Alamut is a Holy City and it should not be touched. Dastan is stands behind his brother and boasts that his father did not send the army to fight for plunder or to fight Alamut. Nizam disagrees and states that any friend of their enemy is their enemy.
It is mentioned that those who reside in Alamut are sorcerers who dabble in Black magic but Nizam and his army march forth non the less.
We then meet Tamina who awakens to the sound of gong in her bedroom in a royal palace.
The Persian army is trying to invade Alamut and this is where we see Dastan show off his dexterity and amazing Parkour skills for the first time.
Tamina, in a panic, orders a hands maid to collapse all passages that lead to the hourglass. Dastan then comes into possession of a ceremonial dagger that contains a glass handle covered in precious stones. The handle glows brightly and is filled halfway with white sand. Dastan curiously tilts the dagger much like you would an hour glass. Tamina sees Dastan in possession of the dagger and thinks he is a theif. She is then captured.
Dastan’s oldest brother Tus remains behind in Alamut in search of the secret armories that Niziam claims reside in the kingdom but first approaches Dastan to ask what he will give their father, the king, as a gift for their victory. This offends Dastan because he does not fight for plunder but for glory. He knows his father would not expect such things as gifts but Tus insists hands him an embroidered silk robe to present to their father.
Dastan and the Persian army return home to Nasaf. It is at this point that Dastan runs into Garsiv, the captain of the guards. These two apparently do not like one another. They exchange words and Dastan taunts Garsiv about beating him in this year’s tournament before leaving.
At the Banquet Hall, Tamina has been made into a slave girl. Dastan is not for the old-fashioned custom of enslaving the people they conquer but all that aside, he still tries to hit on her.
We hear the sounds of trumpets which signal a royal procession is about to begin and we meet King Sharaman for the first time.
Dastan’s twin brothers, Farhad and Farhan, give their father gifts from their victor but the King is more interested in what Dastan has to offer him. It is through this interaction we can see that the King is most fond of his youngest son, Dastan. Dastan hands him the robe and we see the twins seething with jealousy over their father’s favoritism. The king puts on the robe and asks where it came from.
When Dastan tells him it is from Alamut it enfurirates the King because Alamut is a scared holy land and it’s forbidden to attack it. The King appraoches Niziam in extreme anger and as Niziam tries to explain himself the robe begins to burn him. Many try to remove the robe but it is futile. The robe has become fastened to the King’s skin like some sort of glue or adheseive has been applied. The King dies in Dastan’s arms. Garsiv accuses Dastan of killing his own father and as guards try to seize him a chase ensues. Tamina, who managed to slip away earlier, grabs Dastan and goes on the run with him.
After this chase/action sequence they reach the first threshold. Both Dastan and Tamina have managed to escape into a canyon to evade Garsiv.
It is obvious Dastan has been framed for the murder of his father. Tamina tries to use this time to make a move and reclaim the dagger from Dastan but he gets it first.
When this happens the entire universe unwraps. Time comes to a stop and begins to rewind
The dagger has the power to go back in time. The fight between Dastan and Tamina occurs three times before Dastan figures out how it works. Only the person who is in possession of the dagger can recall the previous rewind. Unfortunately it is at this point that Dastan has used up all of the sand that is in the dagger.
Dastan decides to go back to Alamut to find the truth about the dagger, his father’s murder, and his brother. He believes all of the answers are in Alamut
This is the end of Act 1. I am going to cut it here folks. Don’t want to give anymore of the goodness away. You can rest assured that Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is going to be one of the biggest action adventure blockbusters of the summer. It will thrill both the general audience and fans of the game.
One damn good script!
