Prince of Parkour

Rating: 9/10 (23 May 2010)

Just returned from the theatre where I watched the PoP-movie. I must start of by saying I am biased when reviewing this movie, but the PoP-trilogy is the only game I ever finished (apart from God of War I and FFX). All others made me lose interest after a few levels, so I absolutely love this series.
But apart from my gaming history, I really liked the movie. Does it contain a lot of depth? Does it contain the best worked out characters, Not really, so why a nine? Because that is not what one should expect from such a movie, which more drives on atmosphere, scenery and action.
In the beginning the movie starts a fun adventure, with drunk and dashing Dastan even reminding me a bit of Jack Sparrow. He loses this edge though later in the movie, when he turns into a more serious character out to save the world. The ostrich races also attribute to the light hearted atmosphere in the beginning of the movie since running ostriches are just plain cool and funny animals.
However, around 30 minutes in the movie, the real story begins with the time traveling dagger. These time travel effects are quite impressive, and I momentarily can't think how else you could have portrayed them in this movie. However, there are only four or five time transportations, which is kind of a shame since I expected more.
Another special effect are the parkour moves from the Prince of course. These are present throughout the entire movie, and even though sometimes it is a bit hard to follow what is happening, they stayed close to the game when it comes to the prince's moves.
The plot is quite predictable after around 45 minutes, but that doesn't bother me in these kinds of movies. These movies aren't really made for plot twists anyway. The only thing I didn't get is that they predicted the world would end if they released all the sands, but instead, the Prince is returned to before everything started, instead of the world ending. I didn't pay all attention at this point, so maybe it's clear if I rewatch the movie.
Last of all, I want to say something about Jake Gyllenhaal and Ben Kingsley. Ben puts a great performance here once again, from minute one he radiates something evil, although that could also have to do with the fact this is how evil Persians are portrayed now (bald men with eyeliner). I never really noticed Jake Gyllenhaal, but after this movie I have become a fan, especially in the first 30 minutes where he's playing the fun loving Dastan.
I didn't think this was a bad movie, but one should enter the theatre with the right mindset, sitting back for some mindless special effects action.