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Prince of Persia: All They Need Is a Genie and a Magic Carpet
Matt Kiebus :: Friday, May 14th, 2010 6:30 pm
Like most males who grew up in the 90s my favorite animated Disney movie was Aladdin. There was something about that street rat that charmed princess Jasmine and her tiger using magic lamp that made the turban wearing culture kinda cool. I mean MC Hammer should have taken notes from Aladdin on how to wear balloon pants. Aladdin was a thief from the streets who wished to be a prince. He spent his days with his monkey, Abu, stealing apples and jumping acrobatically from rooftops to escape capture.
In two weeks Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time will be unleashed to the unsuspecting US audiences. If your unfamiliar with the plot here is what Walt Disney Pictures has to say.
“Set in the mystical lands of Persia, a rogue prince and a mysterious princess race against dark forces to safeguard an ancient dagger capable of releasing the Sands of Time — a gift from the gods that can reverse time and allow its possessor to rule the world.”
Hmm. That sounds awfully similar to another Walt Disney film from 18 years ago. Yup, it’s looking like a live-action version of the coolest Disney Animated Classic of all-time.
But does anyone think Jake Gyllenhaal can even hold Aladdin’s umm… monkey? We’ll have to wait two weeks for that answer, but for now lets check out the similarities between Prince of Persia and Aladdin.
Jake Gyllenhaal Vs. Aladdin Lets see they are both shirtless for the majority of the film, maintain a rigorous workout routine, and possess a magical entity that makes them important. Oh yea and both longhaired middle easterners are trying to bang a Princess. Only difference is Aladdin was only pretending to be a Prince, when he was actually a thief in the night, with a charming flying carpet.
Gemma Arterton (Tamina) vs. Jasmine Arterton is from Kent, England. Jasmine is from a Taj Mahal looking building. None of that matters because their sole purpose is to show some skin, and sell movie tickets. Yea, Disney you’re selling sex, thought you could sneak that by me? Why else would Jasmine’s midriff be out the entire film?
Ben Kingsley (Nazim) vs. Jafar Wow, this is a match made in heaven. Sir Ben can play whomever the hell he wants. But playing a character with the fierceness of Jafar is a tall task for anyone. If he were taller he’d even kinda look like that evil bastard Jafar. I think a live action version of The Return of Jafar with Kingsley at the helm should be green-lighted immediately.
Alfred Molina (Shiek Amar) vs. Sultan I have no idea what Molina’s character’s purpose is in Prince of Persia, but if his hair were to be dyed white he’d make a perfect chubby, giggly, and of course oblivious Sultan.
Jasmine is the hottest of all the Disney princesses.
Gemma Arterton (Tamina) was born with 6 fingers on each hand. Also hot.
Posted by: HotandCold May 14th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
[...] Prince of Persia: All They Need Is A Genie and A Magic Carpet (Death + Taxes) [...]
Posted by: POWER LUNCH « F-Listed May 18th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
Check out the plot to the original game, which came out three years before Aladdin:
“As the title suggests, the game is set in Ancient Persia. One day, the Sultan of Persia went to wage war in a foreign land, and his vizier, Jaffar, is left to rule in his stead. Jaffar locks the nameless protagonist up because the Princess, Jaffar’s love interest, has taken an interest in him. Jaffar then locks up the Princess herself, giving her an ultimatum: marry Jaffar, or die within the hour.”
That’s very similar to the end of Aladdin. They’re both inspired by 1001 Arabian Nights. Not that Disney didn’t intend for the similarities to be noticed.
Posted by: Joe June 9th, 2010 at 6:54 am
It’s a shame that more people don’t know Prince of Persia precedes Disney’s Aladdin.
Posted by: Meg June 13th, 2010 at 12:43 pm