--- title: "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/prince-of-persia-the-sands-of-time/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/prince-of-persia-the-sands-of-time" critics_score: 51 critics_reviews: 15 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010): what the critics said Critics' score 51 from 15 reviews: 2 positive, 7 mixed, 6 negative. Most critics find Prince of Persia passable: a mixed, middling reception with few outright champions. The reviews agree that it is watchable and that the praise falls in two places. Alfred Molina’s comic turn is singled out again and again as the liveliest thing in it, and the real-world stunts, the parkour in particular, are credited with giving the action some pace. Several critics also like the look of the film, the detailed medieval cities and the cinematography, even when they like little else. The reservations cluster around the story and the lead. Many find the plot convoluted and the whole thing forgettable, and a few call it plainly dull. Jake Gyllenhaal splits the critics: some think he has presence, others that he never gives the prince any edge. The spread is wide. Eye for Film says it exceeds expectations as a game adaptation, while Slant Magazine finds it lifeless and weighed down by effects-epic habits. ## Screen Daily — John Hazelton Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 10 May 2010. The available page identifies this as a review, but its verdict is hidden behind the paywall. No specific praise or complaint is visible in the accessible text. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/prince-of-persia-the-sands-of-time/5013596.article) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 23 May 2010. The page returned only an access error, so the critic’s verdict cannot be verified. No praise or complaint from the review is available to identify. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/23/movies/23persia.html) ## Empire — Ian Nathan Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 17 May 2008. Nathan finds it entertaining but held back by wooden dialogue and sloppy exposition. He praises the real-world stunts, especially the parkour and swordfights. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/prince-persia-sands-time-review/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Ray Bennett Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 14 October 2010. Bennett finds it an enjoyable, family-friendly adventure that lacks epic scale and leaves little lasting impression. He praises the film’s beautiful cinematography and brisk editing, which help keep the far-fetched story buoyant. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/prince-persia-sands-time-film-29567/) ## Time Out — Tom Huddleston Rating 3/5. 18 May 2010. Huddleston gives the film 3/5, indicating a mixed verdict. The available text does not reveal what he specifically praises or criticizes. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/prince-of-persia-the-sands-of-time-2) ## The AV Club — Scott Tobias Rating C. 27 May 2010. Tobias finds the film a thin, witless, generic adventure despite its commercial savvy. He praises Jake Gyllenhaal’s screen presence and the cinematography’s flattering shots, while criticizing the mythology, CGI, and heroine. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/prince-of-persia-the-sands-of-time-1798165105) ## Little White Lies — Matt Bochenski Rating 3/2/1. 28 May 2010. The critic finds the film a disappointing, uninspired blockbuster that fails to deliver memorable spectacle. They particularly fault its second-rate effects and uninnovative action sequences. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/prince-of-persia-the-sands-of-time) ## Los Angeles Times — Betsy Sharkey Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 27 May 2010. Sharkey finds the film spectacular but emotionally underpowered, with Jake Gyllenhaal unable to give its prince enough edge. She praises the visually mesmerizing production design, effects and stunts, while noting that Alfred Molina’s comic performance adds welcome fun. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-may-27-la-et-prince-persia-20100527-story.html) ## Variety — Leslie Felperin Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 10 May 2010. Felperin finds the film passably enjoyable but forgettable, lacking the originality and spark to stand out. She praises Alfred Molina’s lively comic turn, while criticizing the film’s overdesigned look and Gyllenhaal’s disappointing performance. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2010/film/markets-festivals/prince-of-persia-the-sands-of-time-1117942703/) ## The Guardian — Andrew Pulver Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 20 May 2010. Pulver finds the film silly and over-complicated, with its convoluted plot undermining the adventure. He praises its attractive visuals and fleeting excitement, but says even director Mike Newell cannot rescue the story. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/may/20/prince-of-persia-sands-film-review) ## Slant Magazine — Bill Weber Rating 1/4. 28 May 2010. Weber finds the film dull, lifeless, and weighed down by familiar effects-epic tropes. He criticizes its fragmented action and says the leads lack chemistry, while noting Gemma Arterton’s authoritative performance. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/prince-of-persia-the-sands-of-time/) ## Eye for Film — Jennie Kermode Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 17 May 2010. Kermode finds the film formulaic but entertaining, and says it exceeds expectations as both an action movie and a game adaptation. She especially praises the parkour action and Alfred Molina’s comic performance. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/prince-of-persia-film-review-by-jennie-kermode) ## HeyUGuys — David Sztypuljak Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 21 May 2010. The critic finds the film enjoyable and recommends seeing it, though it falls short of expectations and its story becomes confusing. They praise the action and parkour sequences, especially the opening assault on Alamut. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/prince-of-persia-the-sands-of-time-review/) ## Den of Geek — Ryan Lambie Rating 3/5. 19 May 2010. Lambie finds the film entertaining but predictable, uneven, and short of a cinematic triumph. He praises Alfred Molina’s performance and the richly detailed medieval cities, while criticizing the lack of tension in the action. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/prince-of-persia-the-sands-of-time-review/) ## Digital Spy — Ben Rawson-Jones Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 17 May 2010. The review finds the film visually impressive but ultimately dull and uninvolving. It praises Alfred Molina and the ostriches for bringing humor and energy to proceedings. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a218984/prince-of-persia-the-sands-of-time/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/prince-of-persia-the-sands-of-time.md