Fast Paced Romp in the Sands of Morocco

Rating: 9/10 (23 May 2011)

Gemma Arterton is lovely and Jake Gyllenhaal is loads of fun as the prince. I was left with the impression that the film could have been really excellent, certainly the actors are all superb. I think at the end of the day if anything the film was let down in the direction department - too much going on, too many improbable events leading into each other.
The principle cast is mainly British and so, much to his credit, Jake Gyllenhaal adopted a British accent for his part and made a fine job doing so. There is one point though that has left me absolutely perplexed. Richard Coyle who plays Prince Tus, what was he thinking? On the morning of the invasion of Alemut he remarks about Dastan, 'He's 'gotten' in'. I beg your pardon? There is no such past participle in British English - we would never use that word in a million years. Now why on earth didn't Richard Coyle simply mention that fact to the script writer changing it to something like, 'Dastan has succeeded in entering the city'? There's a second blatant error later on when Dastan says to Tamina, 'You know, you've got quick hands, but so do I'. But so HAVE I not DO I. It's not sufficient to garnish a film with British accents you have to employ British grammar as well otherwise it just sounds stupid.
However, to end on a positive note, the sound-track is superb, the actors are believable and visually the film is stunning. Well worth a view.