Much like the game, the story proper begins with the Persian army seizing a city, although instead of simply ransacking it for treasure, they're after "hidden weapons," and it's all too easy to not see the smack-you-in-the-face parallels to the search for WMD's in Iraq. The first 40 minutes or so also feel rushed, and the film moves among locations so often, and the fights are so often shot in close-up with occasional blurry-vision shots that it certainly makes it feel less epic. Thankfully, the problems are mostly contained in the first half of the film, but they are a nuisance. By tacking on so many new characters, good and bad, including two brothers for the titular Prince (buffed up Jake Gyllenhaal), the film doesn't necessarily feel overstuffed, but these aspects are almost totally superfluous. Then there's the nature of the casting. Though Gyllenhaal's hair doesn't look as weird in motion as it does in still images, he still looks out of place (though at least he isn't burdened with any silly hats). However, the rest of cast, though none are outstanding, actually feel more or less right. Gemma Artreton is easily the better half of the central duo, carrying herself with much more poise and showing a better sense for comedic timing, even though much of her banter with Gyllenhaal is often second rate (Pirates of the Caribbean, it is not). Ben Kingsley, as the scheming villain is wasted, though he brings the expected generic charisma to the otherwise thankless role. Alfred Molina is certainly the most embedded in his character's skin, but like Artreton, much of his dialogue is second rate (not to mention that he's underused and totally unnecessary).
That said, even with the limply shot fight scenes, the film does become better when it moves away from throwing around characters, and simply focuses on the characters evading baddies. A brief fight with a chain-claw wielding assassin is probably the stand out, though it too suffers from blurry-vision shots and sub-par framing. Full credit should also go to the sound design, for replacing the punch of the fight scenes that's been removed by the photography. Had the film striven to be a stronger PG-13, it would have been better as a whole. Harry Gregson Williams' score, on the other hand is totally forgettable. But the biggest offender is probably the CGI. For the most part, especially in wide shots, its cartoonish, and in one particular death scene more than a little giggle-worthy. Like the film as a whole, the VFX are sometimes enjoyable, sometimes silly, and wholly forgettable.
Grade: C
