Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

A Jerry Bruckheimer-produced video game adaptation-it has to be good, doesn't it? (Ya, sarcasm.)

[A] cacophonous, frivolous adaptation of Ubisoft's Arabian Nights-themed video-game series.

The sheer whoosh of the story line keeps you watching anyway, and, as the prince, Jake Gyllenhaal has a hearty good-naturedness that comes as a relief amid all the turbocharged antics. He wears his heroism lightly.

Disposable family entertainment.

This is a movie that knows exactly how dumb it is.

Imagine watching someone else play a video game while another guy narrates it.

When so many summer blockbusters try desperately to achieve a balance between escapism and quality filmmaking, this movie’s lack of effort to be anything but standardized is insulting.

While it doesn't really work as a whole, the set-pieces are diverting enough along the way.

The only redeeming factor is Ben Kingsley, who seems to genuinely enjoy his terrible role.

Gyllenhaal is a passable action hero, though his performance occasionally borders of self-conscious.