This "Prince" Is No Box Office King

A review of Prince of Persia: the Sands of Time pretty much requires one of the many "Arabesque" series as the fractal cookie.  I chose Satin Arabesque 53 mainly because the color scheme so closely matched the one used in the film.  Now you know so on with the review!
-
Two bits of information will tell you everything you need to know about Prince of Persia: the Sands of Time.  The movie is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer (of Pirates of the Caribbean fame) and it's about a dagger that turns back time.  The movie will reach it's inevitable end with non-stop action from start to finish.  The movie is based on a well-known video game so you can expect minimum character development and maximum spectacle. 
-
All that being said, Prince of Persia isn't a bad movie: sadly, it's not all that good either.  I could get past the by-the-numbers plot and less-than-awesome acting,  True, there are a few (very minor) surprises but you pretty much know how the movie is going to go from the moment it starts.  I could blame Jake Gyllenhall as the male lead but the script doesn't give him a lot to work with.  Sir Ben Kingsley gives a phoned-in performance as Nizam.  (You know he's the bad guy because he's the only main character all dressed in black.)  Alfred Molina fares slightly better in his comedy-relief role of Sheik Amar.  Gemma Arterton looks pretty is feisty Princess Tamina but she didn't leave a lot of impression on screen.  The other characters don't leave much of an impression.
-
The action scenes come thick and fast but there really isn't anything we haven't seen before (and better).  The FX are plentiful but, again, it's nothing you haven't seen before.  The costumes and sets are suitably "fantasy Arabic" but the whole film is overwhelmingly BROWN.  Every color and shade of brown you can imagine are here and don't look for any red, blue or green 'cause it ain't here.  (Yes, it's a movie set in a desert but I'd have hoped for a bit moer color here and there.) 
-
In the end there's really nothing WRONG with the movie--but there's just not a lot that's RIGHT either.  This is a completely typical summer blockbuster but there's nothing here you haven't seen before (and better) elsewhere.  Check it out if you have an afternoon or evening to waste but surely there has to be a better way to spend your time and money.
-
FINAL GRADE: C+