Review - Matt Mungle

   

The Sorcerer's Apprentice is one of those films that at first glance seems farfetched, over budgeted and campy. And it is. But you can’t deny that it is also entertaining. Don’t forget that these are the same collaborating forces behind the National Treasure franchise. Granted it is not remotely close to those cash cows but it does have certain elements that make all Bruckheimer films stand out. Even Nicholas Cage seems to be having fun with a role that a few years ago I would never have imagined seeing him play.

Balthazar (Nicolas Cage) has been combing the globe for millenniums trying to find the one person who can help defeat a team of evil sorcerers dead set on destroying the world. As fate and Hollywood would have it, he finds that young man right in the heart of modern day New York City. Dave (Jay Baruchel) is a nerdy science major at NYU who wants nothing to do with this newly discovered calling. In fact he finds it all quite odd and inconvenient. Nevertheless he allows Balthazar to give him a few crash courses in sorcery and soon discovers that he might be the world’s only hope.

Cage and Baruchel are both perfectly cast in this film. Cage has an ability to combine witty humor and sarcastic delivery in a way that make roles like this “rock star” in nature. He has a swagger and confidence about him that keeps Balthazar from coming across goofy and sophomoric. Not a Jack Sparrow transformation but solid for Cage. Baruchel brings his nerdy boy-next-door charm and shy demeanor that made films like She’s Out of My League better than they would have been. Plus director Jon Turteltaub is the master of taking family geared scripts and crafting them into something that is blockbuster in nature without losing the innocent dynamic.

The writing was the only flaw in this Disney production. The story line was very predictable and at times came off sappy. I found myself drifting off and had to really force myself to focus on the dialogue. The hilarious moments are there but they are separated by gaps of near nothing. The action sequences are grand when they happen; I just wanted more of them. Still I doubt that the majority of filmgoers will find this an issue and most will find enough good stuff to satisfy.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice is rated PG for fantasy action violence, some mild rude humor and brief language. The title alone should also clue you in there is wall to wall sorcery and spells and incantations. These are not scary but more along the lines of the Harry Potter flicks. I will say that at times it did have some fun moments that made me think back to Bedknobs and Broomsticks. Other than those type antics this film is completely safe for your 10 and up movie goer. It gets 4 out of 5 old man shoes. Not a perfect film and far from the greatness of past collaborations; but still a fun time at the theater. Plus it was good to see Cage having fun again.