Unrelated to the games but still a great adventure

Rating: 8/10 (23 June 2010)

If you haven't played the video game series that this is based on, it's okay because they are only very loosely related. Here's what you need to know: "Desten" was an orphan, now he's a prince with two brothers, a kingly father, and a 'loyal' uncle. There's a dagger that allows the user to turn back time. Battles, betrayal, chases, and much adventuring ensues.
First off I'll say this: judging this only as a movie based off a video game it gets 10/10 right off the bat. For a game-based-movie, it is easily one of the best, but honestly it doesn't take much to be better than some of the other trash that Hollywood gives us. Anyway, on to the good and the bad.
The Good: while not really AAA actors, I quite liked the cast. Jake does a pretty good job as the prince, Ben makes a decent villain, Alfred makes an amusing (and only slightly annoying) comic relief character, and the lovely Gemma is a love interest that is actually quite essential to the story (unlike the usual LINTS - Love Interest Non-Essential To Story). The movie is also great taken as a pure adventure movie---I haven't really seen a good one of those in a loooong time. There is a great amount of good action as well---large-scale battles, small-scale fights, riots, acrobatics, etc. A good throwback to the games.
The Bad: There are quite a few plot holes. How did they get those costumes? How did they plan that so quickly? Where did those weapons come from? Why are they all speaking English?Most of them are pretty forgivable however. I'm also still not quite sure what I think about the ending. I usually hate the style of ending they used (cant spoil it though) but they handled it pretty effectively
Overall I was quite pleasantly surprised. I almost facepalmed when I first saw the trailer, but it pretty much broke my expectations. I give it a good recommendation if you're looking for a fun movie that isn't too serious.
Final Score - 8/10