14 DAY TRIAL // The first, official trailer for the upcoming film “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” has just been released and it’s causing quite a frenzy on the Internet with fans of the game and fantasy flicks in general. As EW’s PopWatch also points out, so far, fans only got to see snippets of the film but this trailer should allow them to form a better opinion of what’s coming their way in May this year.
However, at the same time, this trailer also makes room and even invites comparisons with another Disney blockbuster, also with Jerry Bruckheimer acting as producer, the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise. In fact, this could be the one thing working against this film once it’s out in theaters because upsetting the fanbase by offering too much (or too little) plot, changing the mythology or who knows what else could translate in a negative response to the film.
In the meanwhile though, the trailer looks awesome, PopWatch says, offering precious insight into the plot and, of course, the special effects. “The first trailer for Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time was heavy on gorgeous art direction, splendid pyrotechnics, and attractive-sounding British narration, but light on, um, what the heck is happening in this totally bonkers-looking movie. Well, plot enthusiasts, your prayers have been answered. The new trailer has arrived, with some slightly-more-expository British narration, and I think I’ve figured out the story: it’s Pirates of the Caribbean, without all that ‘water’ stuff,” the movie-oriented publication says.
The question of how the film will handle the mythology of the game is of vital importance, PopWatch goes on to say. “I also loved the videogame version of Sands of Time, and this trailer has me wondering if the screenwriters have made the rare mistake of adding way too much story. I’d prefer a movie more eerily mysterious than straightforward and cutesy (please don’t let them replace the videogame’s twisty, weirdly moving ending with jaunty dialogue and a kiss). Then again, all those marching armies and sun-drenched cityscapes look pretty nifty, and Gyllenhaal’s certainly got a better track record than Orlando Bloom,” the review of the trailer further reads.
As with every other production that is based on either a popular game series or an older movie franchise / series, fans are as anxious about the new treatment as they are hyped about it. That is to say, Disney has a tough mission ahead with “Prince of Persia,” as also does Jake Gyllenhaal and every other member of the cast: that of making the fans happy. “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” is out in US theaters on May 28 and, by the looks of the trailer, it’s on the right path with not disappointing the fanbase.