Watch and Read: Spotlight on Media Tie-ins
RSSThis article originally appeared in SLJ's Extra Helping. <a href="https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/subscribe.asp?screen=pi8">Sign up now!</a>
Joy Fleishhacker -- School Library Journal, 05/03/2010
Prince of Persia: From Video Game to Major Motion Picture
The creators of the hugely popular Pirates of the Caribbean movie series are gearing up for the next big thing. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (PG-13), from Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films, whirls into theaters on May 28, 2010, just ahead of the Memorial Day weekend crowds. Directed by Mike Newell, this live-action movie is based on the Prince of Persia video-game franchise created by Jordan Mechner, who also played a major role in developing the screen story. The tale is set in sixth-century Persia and blends fast-paced adventure and political intrigue with elements of mysticism and fantasy.
Once a poor street urchin, Dastan (Jake Gyllenhaal) was adopted 12 years ago by King Sharaman (Ronald Pickup), who was impressed by the boy’s nobility of spirit and courage. Now a young man and third in line for the throne, the free-spirited Dastan remains unfaltering in his loyalty to his father and his family. However, after Persian forces invade the sacred city of Alamut, a series of strange events and betrayals suddenly turn Dastan’s world upside down. He soon finds himself on the run and in league with the beautiful and enigmatic Princess Tamina (Gemma Arterton). As evil forces conspire against them, the two embark on a dangerous adventure to protect the Dagger of Time, an ancient gift from the gods that provides its possessor with the power to reverse time and thus rule the world. Will Dastan and Tamina be able to keep the Dagger safe from a villainous nobleman and his army of deadly Hassansins and save all of humanity?
Kids can visit the official Web site to sift through info about the film’s characters and plot and catch a glimpse of the spectacular setting, epic-scale visual storytelling, and edge-of-your-seat action. The “Video” section includes a series of featurettes that mix movie clips with behind-the-scenes images and commentary from the cast and crew to provide insight into the making of the film. Other options allow youngsters to sample the soundtrack, connect to book tie-ins, and access downloads.
Books for Younger Readers
Beginning with a close-up cover shot of Dastan, The Movie Storybook (Disney Press; Gr 1-5) provides a succinct retelling of the plot illustrated with numerous full-color film photos. The layout combines larger images with smaller frames, effectively conveying a sense of both the movie’s lush visual veneer and the rapidly unfolding action. Confident readers will have no problem breezing through the text, while younger kids will enjoy the book as a read-aloud. The Junior Novel (Disney Press; Gr 3-6) relates the story in more detail, blending together spirited dialogue, clearly described action scenes, and appealing moments of humor. The narrative places an emphasis on the role that destiny plays in the characters’ lives, creating an appropriately mythical mood that reflects the broad-reaching themes of the tale. A movie poster cover and eight pages of full-color production photos will draw in and satisfy film fans.
Two “It’s Your Call” books (Disney; Gr 3-6) put readers in the narrative driver’s seat, allowing them to make choices for the characters that lead to more than 20 possible plot outcomes. The reader’s path through the story is determined by picking from among various options and turning to the indicated page. To Right a Wrong focuses on plot events as portrayed from Dastan’s point of view, while The Guardian’s Path relates the story from Tamina’s perspective. Imbued with a sense of immediacy and excitement, these clearly written books will appeal to youngsters who like to be a part of the action.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time: The Visual Guide, from DK (Gr 3-6), combines clearly reproduced movie images with brief explanatory paragraphs and caption-style text. Beginning with a map of the Persian Empire, two-page chapters introduce the major characters, settings, and plot devices with lively writing and inviting photos and production artwork. Movie devotees will be interested in investigating topics such as the warriors’ “Battle Gear” and combat styles, the secretive and deadly Hassansins, and the various legends that form the backbone of the story. This colorful book makes a fine choice for browsing and encourages readers to re-live the film’s dramatic highpoints.
Expanding upon the movie’s plot and personalities, Catherine Hapka’s The Chronicle of Young Dastan (Disney; Gr 3-6) weaves a tale about the character as a boy living on the streets of Nasaf, where, like many other orphans, he faces a day-to-day struggle to survive. When his best friend is murdered by the guard of a dignitary visiting the royal palace, Dastan is determined to avenge his death, despite the risks. He also finds himself embroiled in the search for a legendary artifact that is purported to provide its possessor with great power. Filled with plot twists and turns—and numerous breathless chase scenes—Dastan’s adventure brings him into contact with new dangers as well as new allies, and reveals to him the importance of trust, loyalty, and true friendship.
Books for Young Adults
Prince of Persia: Before the Sandstorm (Disney; Gr 6 Up), a graphic novel anthology written by Mechner, also expands upon the movie’s characters and narrative elements. As the book begins, a group of five people are about to be put to death for a crime they did not commit. Brought before a magistrate, each one tells a tale to prove his or her innocence, and all of the stories—whether they speak of true love, sorcery, sacrifice, or danger—have one thing in common: a connection to Dastan. Movie fans will delight in seeing familiar personages from the film recast, learning more about their back stories, and sorting out their intricately interconnected relationships. Each chapter is illustrated by a different comic book artist, providing a pleasing variety of visual styles and color schemes, and giving each of the storytellers a bit of individuality. The action (which does include some violent scenes and suggestive innuendo) is vividly described through both the lively narrative text and vibrantly colored artwork.
Teen readers looking for more background should also check out Mechner’s Prince of Persia (2008), a graphic novel that has just been re-issued by First Second Books (2010; Gr 9 Up). In an afterword that muses about the prince’s origins and many incarnations, Mechner explains that this offering is not an adaption of the “games or of the movie, but a new story [intended to] tap into the deep wellspring of Persian myth, legend, and history from whence the prince has arisen.” Written by A. B. Sina, this richly layered book tells two simultaneous tales, both set in the Persian city of Marv, one in the 9th century and one in the 13th century, and interconnected by time shifts and shadowy prophesies. As the action-packed plot unfolds, a rightful prince is usurped, a runaway girl discovers the realities of her father’s harsh rule, and sacrifices are made for love. The script’s mythical, mystical quality is echoed in LeUyen Pham and Alex Puvilland’s fine artwork, while differentiations in palette help readers to follow the storyline and the changes in timeframe.
Diehard movie fans and teens interested in filmmaking will be mesmerized by We Make Our Own Destiny: Behind the Scenes of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (Disney; Gr 7 Up). Sprinkled with quotes from the cast and crew, Michael Singer’s well-written text offers an insightful look at the effort and artistry involved in the production process, from the movie’s video game beginnings, to delineating the story’s scope, to the challenges of bringing Dastan’s world to vivid life. In addition, the book provides an awareness of the history, rich culture, and beautiful landscapes that form the backdrop for the tale. Cast members, locales, set designs, and other elements are carefully described, and a section about parkour (the acrobatic jumps and other physical feats employed by Dastan) is of particular interest. This handsome volume is packed with full-color movie photos, behind-the-scenes images, and striking production artwork.
Pub Info
PONTI, James, adapt. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time: The Movie Storybook. Disney Press. 2010. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-1782-7.
_____. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time: The Junior Novel. Disney Press. 2010. pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-1780-3.
JABLONSKI, Carla. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time: To Right a Wrong. Disney Press. 2010. pap. $4.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-1796-4.
_____. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time: The Guardian’s Path. Disney Press. 2010. pap. $4.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-2700-0.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time: The Visual Guide. DK. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-5763-5.
HAPKA, Catherine. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time: The Chronicle of Young Dastan. Disney Press. 2010. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-2709-3.
MECHNER, Jordan. Prince of Persia: Before the Sandstorm: A Graphic Novel Anthology. Disney Press. 2010. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-2429-0; pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-2582-2.
_____. Prince of Persia: The Graphic Novel. written by A. B. Sina. illus. by LeUyen Pham & Alex Puvilland. Roaring Brook/First Second. 2010. pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-602-2.
SINGER, Michael. We Make Our Own Destiny: Behind the Scenes of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Disney Press. 2010. pap. $24.95. ISBN 978-1-4231-1754-4.
