Heres The Detail On THE SANDS OF TIME
Screenplay: Jordan Mechner, Jeffrey Nachmanoff
Director(s): Michael Bay
Producer(s):Jerry Bruckheimer
MPAA Rating: Unavailable
Reviewed by: El Mayimbe - 05.30.07
PRINCE OF PERSIA!
Prince of Persia, a platform game developed by Jordan Mechner in 1989, was widely considered a great leap forward in the quality of animation seen in computer games. Mechner used a process called rotoscoping, in which he studied many hours of films of his younger brother David running and jumping in white clothes, to ensure that all the movements looked just right. Also unusual was the method of combat: protagonist and enemies fought with swords, not some sort of projectile weapons, as was the case in most contemporary games.
The game managed to surprise and captivate the player despite being, at first glance, repetitive. This was achieved by interspersing intelligent puzzles and deadly traps all along the path the Prince had to take to complete the game—all this packaged in fluid, life-like motion.
Prince of Persia also influenced a very fertile sub-genre, which imitated the sprawling non-scrolling levels, fluid animation, and control style pioneered by Prince.
Bruckheimer and Bay - back together again for Prince of Persia, which is epic in its scope. Disney has got a monster hit and another potential blockbuster franchise on their hands. Prince of Persia can be as fun as Pirates of the Caribbean. Even if you never played any of the games, if you’re into Arabian Nights, Aladdin, Sinbad, Ali Baba and his 40 Thieves, or old-school Arabian adventures, then Prince of Persia is for you.
I am going to keep the spoilers absolutely lite on this one to not piss off Bruckheimer, Bay and Disney.
What is also super-cool about the script is the use of PARKOUR. Parkour is a physical art of French origin, the aim of which is to move from point A to point B as efficiently and quickly as possible, using principally the abilities of the human body. It is meant to help one overcome obstacles, which can be anything in the surrounding environment — from branches and rocks to rails and concrete walls — so Parkour can be practiced in both rural and urban areas.
The Prince of Persia games utilized Parkour and it is cool to see it intact in the script and a part of the storyline. That chase scene in Casino Royale utilized Parkour and I can’t highly recommend enough the Pierre Morel French action film DISTRICT B13, which is one hell of an action film. The way these stuntmen move without the use of special effects and wires is just breathtaking.
Parkour is finally going to be given a worldwide audience with Prince of Persia. Because of the incredible athleticism and shape you have to be in to practice Parkour, I would think that narrows down the choices to play Prince of Persia’s lead character – DASTAN.
One of the producers said in the trades that Prince of Persia is a 9th century Indiana Jones and it reads and feels like one.
So what’s the setup or our ACT 1?
THE STORY:
Basically, in the first couple of pages, our opening action sequence involves NIZAM (Dastan’s uncle) and his sentries (The Persian Army). They intercept a smuggler’s caravan that has been smuggling weapons to enemies of Nasaf. Dastan is the youngest boy of KING SHAHRAMAN, the king of Nasaf. Dastan’s oldest brother is TUS, followed by the twins FARHAN and FARHAD.
When we meet Dastan, he is having a knife throwing contest and waging bets. He is summoned to the Perisan army tent and takes his place beside his brothers.
Nizam tells his nephews that the identity of their enemy’s secret ally is the kingdom of Alamut. Tus explains that his father, the King, has always said it was a Holy City and not to be touched. Alamut is renowned for treasure, food, and beautiful women. Dastan disagrees with Nizam and explains that his father did not send the Persian Army to fight for plunder nor to fight Alamut. Nizam counters that the friend of their enemy is their enemy.
It is said that the Alamut are sorcerers. Black magic. The Persian Army marches forth.
At a bedroom in a Royal Palace, we meet – TAMINA. A gong awakens her.
The siege of Alamut by the Persian Army ensues and we get our first glimpse of Dastan in action, his dexterity and Parkour skills.
Tamina gives the order to one of her HANDMAIDS that the passages to the Hourglass must be collapsed. Dastan comes into possession of A CEREMONIAL DAGGER with a glass handle encrusted with precious stones. The glass handle is half-filled with a fine white sand, so naturally bright it glows. Dastan tilts it curiously, the way you might tilt an hourglass.
Tamina watches Dastan come into possession of the dagger and thinks of him as the lowest sort of thief. Tamina is captured.
Dastan’s brother TUS stays behind in Alamut to search for the secret armories that Nizam is talking about. Tus asks Dastan what is he going to give their father the king as a gift for their victory. Dastan fights for glory and not plunder and their father doesn’t expect anything from Dastan. Tus tells Dastan to be a good son and give him the following…
…a gorgeous, embroidered silk ROBE.
Dastan and the Persian Army return to Nasaf. Dastan runs into his asshole rival or sorts, the captain of the guards, GARSIV. Garsiv throws an indirect at Dastan. Dastan taunts Garsiv about beating him in this year’s tournament.
At the Banquet Hall, Tamina is made into a slave girl. She catches the eye and attention of Dastan, who hits on her. Dastan is against the old-fashioned custom of enslaving the people they conquer.
A fanfare of trumpets signal the start of the royal procession and we meet KING SHARAMAN.
Farhad and Farhan give their father their gifts, but the King is most interested in what Dastan gives him. The King is fondest of his youngest son, Dastan. The twins seethe with jealousy at the King’s favoritism of Dastan. Dastan gives his father the robe. The King puts it on and asks where it came from.
Dastan says from Alamut. The King is furious with Nizam because Alamut is sacred; it is forbidden to attack it. The King’s orders were disobeyed. As Nizam begins to explain, the robe burns the King. Attendants hasten to remove the robe, but cannot. It’s glued to the King’s skin. The King dies in Dastan’s arms. Garsiv accuses Dastan of killing his father! The Guards go to seize Dastan and a chase ensues. Tamina, who managed to slip away earlier, grabs Dastan and goes on the run with him.
After another chase/action sequence -- the crossing of the first threshold – Dastan and Tamina manage to escape from Garsiv into a canyon.
Dastan has been framed for his father’s murder. Tamina decides to make her move on Dastan to reclaim the dagger, but Dastan gets it first and then…
THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE WRAPS! Time slows to a stop and REWINDS!
The dagger has the power to go back in time. The Dastan/Tamina fight happens three times and Dastan figures out the dagger before Tamina can fight him by the 3rd time. Only the person holding the dagger recalls the rewind. This time, though, Dastan has used up all the sand in the dagger.
Dastan decides to go to Alamut to find out the truth about his brother, about his father’s murder and about the dagger. All the answers are in Alamut.
That is the setup and end of Act 1. Prince of Persia is one hell of an action adventure script which will be sure to thrill general audiences and fans of the game. I can’t wait.
