POP Sands of Time: Use the sand and change a few in the movie

Rating: 6/10 (28 May 2010)

As a die hard fan of the game I had to go to the movie even I knew it has Jack Gyllenhaal.
Story: I expected to have at least 70% of the story of original game but what they did is took the twists and turns from the game and in between placed their own version of story. Which just sucks. Why can't they keep the original story, that has every potential to be made into a movie. The story they show here just sucks, scene to scene transitions are very loosely connected and the incidents that make the story go from one scene to another is just so clichéd. And what with the initial orphan story????
Acting: Who the hell casted Jack Gyllenhaal as prince. He just lags the charm. He seems more like a hero from a rom-com never ever a warrior. Every expression he showed in such casual manner that even the environment is tensed he alone makes u uninterested in whats happening around. Rest all are average. The prince character is not explored totally.
Cinematography: Good but not lavish. Being a story of ancient time and kings, magic it should have been beautiful to eyes but the sets are very poor (in terms of cheap). Camera angles are conventional and unnecessary close-ups used. What impact does a horse with shield do to u if its shown for a few seconds on screen. Nothing, it bores u.
Directing: Good not gr8. The director should have played the game himself b4 making it into a movie. He should have then caught the magic of POP properly.
Action/Spl. effects: Stunts are good if judged individually. But, u know why POP was so gr8, its only because of prince's awesome acrobatic skills and out of the world fight sequences. This movie tries to achieve it but just fails. I don't know why, they had the backing of Disney, could have easily spent more for special effects. The wall runs, the wall to wall jumps, two sword fights came and gone in a minute. The action kept me thirsty for more. But, I would admit, a few scenes are made very well. The chase scene after King dies, snake fight scene are good for eye.
Verdict: One time watch. Get the HD version, not very spectacular to be watched in theater.