Tech-Gaming Technology, Gaming, and Culture
The majority of videogame-to-movie adaptations have left critics, audiences, and financiers disappointed. With the exception of the Tomb Raider and Resident Evil franchises, box office returns on game adaptations have been consistently abysmal. It’s doubtful that Max Payne, Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li, or Hitman offered any kind of substantial return on investment. From an artistic perspective, each of these films was inexcusable, as each failed to capitalize off the hyper-kinetic source material.
Last week, SeanNOLA and I were invited to Jerry Bruckheimer’s studios for an early screening of the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time trailer. After the screening, the renowned producer was flanked by Jordon Mechner, designer the original PoP computer game, and author of an early draft for the screenplay. The duo fielded questions from the dozen attendees, skillfully converting a roomful of skeptics into a consensus of confidence.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time in HD
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What was the impetus for the optimism, after seeing numerous game adaptations fail? According to Bruckheimer, devoting the requisite amount of time and energy to the project was instrumental. “Over a number of years we developed it and worked with it and the writers until we got to a place where we felt we really had a good screenplay. That’s the key”, he explained. Clearly, the assistance of a rumored 150 million dollar budget helped recreate the game’s sweeping cityscapes, and offer top-tier talent like Jake Gyllenhaal- both significant contributions which elevate Sands of Time beyond its game-based peers.
Possibly the greatest obstacle facing the film is an impediment of many large-scale epics – losing the story and characters within a sea of CGI spectacle. Both Bruckheimer and Mechner reassured the audience that the plotline was one of Prince of Persia‘s strongest components and that the film drew from a variety of adventure classics- from Raiders of the Lost Ark to One Thousand and One Arabian Knights. On May 28th, 2010, movie goers will not only get to see the Prince turn back time, but also see if he can influence our perception of game adaptations.
When I first heard Gyllenhaal was the Prince I was sure this would fail. The trailer really made me think I was wrong.
Honestly, I’l probably see this even if I hear it sucks, like most game movies.
SeanNOLA, what were you’re impressions? Same as deagle?
Looks much better than I thought it would be.
This will get my 9 bucks or so. Looks good.
I expected to hate this. I’m a bit above “meh”
So the Prince of PERSIA speaking with a British accent?
I hope it’s explained in the movie.
Will they make a game to go with the movie?
Wow, this looks pretty good.
The dagger part looks amazing!
Yep, much better that I thought it was going to be. Could be the start of a trend.
Wall jump at 1:36 is the moneyshot.
Its a wait for video movie for me. I cant say I really like the game, though.
It should be ok, as long as there’s no too much comedy. Thats what killed Pirates for me.
Looks good!
Yeah, that was cool. Gives me hope for the film.
Nice write-up; I’ll be there opening night!
Will SeanNOLA and Desert be hitting the red carpet premere, too?
Too much Johnny Depp was the problem with Pirates.
Ben Kingsley is always the villain these days.
Thanks for posting. Nice write-up!
Looks for the guys with gameboys on their hips 🙂
Pretty much. It looks like it’s going to be pretty good. I mean Jordan Mechner wrote the initial screenplay, so it’d be hard to argue that the people making the movie never played the game (I’m looking at you, Super Mario Bros). The only other thing I could add is that we also met Jerry Bruckheimer’s dog. He has a very nice dog.
Cant wait until May!
You guys are getting way too Hollywood if you’re meeting Bruckheimer’s dog. Next, you’ll be playing Wii with Hugh Hefner!
Wow, that looks really good! I’m impressed. I’ll be seeing this for sure.
I’m hoping theyll be a new PoP game with movie cash in the box. Thats would be awesome.
Just take pics of, Hef and his girls. If Hef gets cropped from the pic, I wont mind much 😉
Unless the reviews are terrible, I’ll be seeing this opening weekend.
I agree heavy on action and light on comedy would be ideal. Jake’s abs will already get the women into the theater.
Haha, that would be full of win.
I’m not gonna lie, I’ll probably see it when it comes to DVD/PPV.
I still cant get too exited about this. I guess too bad game movies have burned me for life.
Honestly, it looks great.
Prince of persia, sands of time was an amazing game, i loved every minute of it.
Looks interesting.
I’m really hoping this won’t turn out bad as some other video game movies are turning out lately (eg. Street Fighter).
Definitely shaping up to be an interesting movie… and in the beginning I was wondering how Disney would affect the movie… but it’s starting to look quite nice.