Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (PG-13, 2010)
common sense media says
Tepid video-game fantasy flick tame enough for young teens.
parents & educators say
- 53% say there are positive messages
- 53% say violence is an issue
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this fantasy adventure -- based on a popular, teen-rated video game -- is high on action, but relatively low on anything else potentially objectionable for young teens (though, like many big action movies, the marketing targets kids too young for this kind of action). The sexuality is limited to some obvious flirting (longing gazes and occasional chaste touching) and a couple of kisses, and strong language is virtually non-existent. Violence, however, is prevalent throughout the movie, with the protagonist constantly on the run, being chased, and having to dodge arrows, blades, flames, and snakes. Despite the amount of violence, it's still not as gory or bloody as comparable movies. Ultimately, the message of family and honor is a valuable one, and the lovely princess isn't just a damsel in distress.
Positive role models:
The king is a righteous and loving monarch who wants his sons to learn how to reign honorably (though he's in very few scenes). Dastan and Tamina lie occasionally, but they're ultimately brave and loyal, as are Dastan's royal brothers. Even the sheik and Seso act nobly after Dastan saves them from the Hassansins. Tamina wobbles between strong female figure and damsel in distress.
Violence:
As in most action adventures, there are a lot of chase scenes -- in the desert or marketplaces or castles. There are definitely deaths -- due mostly to swords and knives, and in one case an assassination by a burning cloak -- but the violence isn't grisly or overly bloody. The threat of violence is always present, however, and the assassin squad is creepy and frightening. They use snakes and ninja-like sword skills to track down and kill their intended target.
Sex:
Some flirting, mild innuendo, revealing outfits, and a couple of rather chaste kisses. In one scene, a harem-like group of bikini-clad women appear.
Language:
Some mild insults like "trash," "illiterates," "slave," etc.
Consumerism:
There are no product placements in the movie, but the movie could be considered one huge tie-in to the popular video game.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
A character asks "Have you been drinking," when an archer misfires. Dastan looks a bit tipsy in one scene, but there's not a drink in his hand.
More on Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Watch our review
Review It
Based on 30 parent & educator reviews:
- 53% say there are positive messages
- 53% say violence is an issue
- 30% say there are positive role models
Most useful reviews by all members
BellaSwan98
kid, 13 years old
kid, 13 years old
Great movie, feel free to take along younger kid as well
I just went and saw this movie yesterday. Before, I had looked at some reviews saying that it wasn't such a good movie and it was hard to follow the storyline. In my opinion it was easily followed and enjoyed. My brother, who is 9, loved it and said it was an awesome movie. My sister, who is 6, said it was okay but kinda scary, as there are some scenes that are violent, but very little blood. So get off your computer and go and see it!
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
rnbizjack
parent of and 9 , 9 , 11 , 12 , 15 year old
parent of and 9 , 9 , 11 , 12 , 15 year old
Some intense battle, but overall a safe bet for kids
We saw the movie with our two daughters. They loved it. I liked the fact that they could make a movie that was action-packed without any curse words or overt sexual innuendo. What little innuendo in the movie is so minute, it passes right over younger kids' heads. And for violence, I would really put it milder than any Indiana Jones movie. Worth seeing.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
Obi Wan
parent of 9 and 11 year old
parent of 9 and 11 year old
Good for Younger kids, 8+
After reading poor reviews by film critics, I hesitated after planning to see it with my 8 year old video gamer. But, he had never played Prince of Persia. Anyhow, glad we went. He loved it. Lots of action. No profanity. Some sexual innuendos over his head...not a big deal whatsoever. One scene near end where throat is slashed....not gory, just happens. Otherwise, very pleased. I decided against Robin Hood with Crowe; definitely the right decisions.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
the movie fan man
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
the best!!
A great movie but has lots of stabbing
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
Brianna1995
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
My FAVORITE movie, but not for younger kids.
I am absolutely in love with this movie. It is good for most ages, although quite violent in some parts. Dastan and Tamina share some intamacies, but nothing goes further than kissing. Tamina is a very strong woman character, always thinking of her people as their princess. My little sister has watched it , and she loved it as well. (She is thirteen). It might seem a little dry in some parts, but as long as you listen to the conversations, you will thoroughly enjoy this movie.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
maddiecat1221
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
my new favorite movie, cant miss it!
MOST AMAZING MOVIE EVER!!!!! i think this is very similar to the pirates of the carribbean series, and it even surpasses those. i liked all the interesting plot twists, and though the stunts were somewhat unbelieveable (jumping from great heights, leaping from rooftop to rooftop), they were very good and dramactic. amazing actors, all around amazing movie. there is a lot of violence, but noithing tweens couldnt handle. there is lots of slicing and blood, but you only see a quick peek of it. no sex concerns oncesoever. except for some sweet pecks between the two main characters. Dustan and Tamina are great role models because they value loyalty and honor above all else, throughout the movie Dustan proves and quotes the value of brothership. a action packed adventure that i will keep seeing again and again, it never gets old! you have to watch this movie, its amazing!
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
Fangbite91
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
I don't know if it is that much of a kids movie
Wait, hold on a second, is this even a kids movie? I mean, people don't kill each other in kids movies. I once had a pool party and I hated wasting a lame movie than have fun in the pool! I agree with moviefan22, this movie is really boring but then It was getting much better at the end.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
annika-zaysha
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
Good movie with good theme and characters although it has violence. Carries positive messages.
I can't say much about this movie, but I think it is pretty good and has a good theme. The violence is scary for kids, but it is all right if you are with your parents. I get puzzled at the part near the end where there is some jump in time, where one second Dastan is standing along side the Glass which contains the Sands of Time, and the next he is standing in the middle of a market square or something like that. Anyway, I think this movie is quite good and is appropriate for ages 9+.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
linkking
parent of 17 year old
parent of 17 year old
Thanks Violence, however, is prevalent throughout the movie, with the protagonist constantly on the run, being chased, and having to dodge arrows, blades, flames, and snakes. Despite the amount of violence, it's still not as gory or bloody as comparable movies. Ultimately, the message of familydrilling rigs
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
Matt W.
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
good for tweens and teens but not good for younger kids
Lots of killing
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
snoflake
teen, 13 years old
teen, 13 years old
A classic
I think this is a great story full of loyalty and kids should have to watch. It has mild violence but people see way worse in video games and other things.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
Snowflake_UK
parent of 9 and 14 year old
parent of 9 and 14 year old
Great adventure film - a decent summer blockbuster!
It's a fairly thin plotline - like many blockbusters! There is a good bantering relationship between Dastan and Tamina - they learn slowly to appreciate each other, and repeatedly make sacrifices to keep the other safe. The overall message about loyalty and doing the right thing is a good one.
The violence is mostly cartoonish thumps and thuds, with very little gore, even in swordfighting scenes. In two or three scenes, the snakes are a little scary for younger kids, particularly where snakes travel just under the sand while people are sleeping - it gave me the creeps! **SPOILER** The scariest scene is probably where the king is killed by a poisoned cloak - he appears to burn to death as if burned by acid, so it's pretty unpleasant.
A great swashbuckling adventure for almost everyone, perhaps not for kids under 10 though.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
Mychemicalstin ...
educator
educator
great vidio game type action film is also very violent
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
teamjacobgirl2.0
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
Okay
Not a bad movie but, not the best. Kind of funny at parts. Is it worth seeing? Well depends if you like Jake Gyllenhaal or not. :)
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
tom the pom
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
11+
i think this film is good for a various audience, and is good for younger kids aswell as teens.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
kid, 12 years old
to violent and boring
to violent and had a bad plot
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
to violent and boring
to violent and had a bad plot
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
kid, 11 years old
to violent and boring
to violent and had a bad plot
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
An independent voice for families
Advice on the big issues
Already seen it? What do you think?
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
