The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (Jon Turtletaub, 2010): USA

Reviewed by Kathleen Amboy.  Viewed at Camino Real Cinemas, Santa Barbara, CA.

  The producers of the National Treasure franchise, have created an action film, based on the popular sequence from the 1940’s Disney animated film Fantasia, titled  The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

Beginning in 740 A.D., Merlin the wizard is betrayed and killed, but before he takes his last dying breath he passes on a magical ring to his apprentice Balthazar (Nicolas Cage), who is told to find the next sorcerer’s apprentice.

As Balthazar begins his quest through each decade, he ultimately stumbles upon a young boy named Dave in the year 2000 that shows promise.  Before he can fully pursue the matter, Horvath (Alfred Molina), a nemesis from his past, is released from a nesting doll (grimhold), where he has been trapped since Merlin’s death.

Battling each other, Horvath and Balthazar then become trapped in an antique vase and are not released until ten years later when Dave (Jay Baruchel), is fully grown and in college.  As Horvath attempts to acquire Merlin’s ring, he destroys everything in his path, while Balthazar hurriedly trains Dave for any possible encounter with him.

After learning a few spells, Dave, who is eager to impress his childhood sweetheart Becky (Teresa Palmer), suddenly bids the cleaning supplies to tidy up his lab.  One by one, each mop, broom, and bucket march from the closet and begin to re-enact the popular scene from Fantasia – which is by far the most enjoyable and memorable scene in the film, one that works well in live action.

Solid acting all around, with Nicolas Cage in top form with his unique dry wit and a good counterpart to Alfred Molina’s Horvath.  It’s surprisingly entertaining, not much in the way of storyline, but a decent kid’s action film, and one purposely created for a franchise.

About this entry

You’re currently reading “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (Jon Turtletaub, 2010): USA,” an entry on Student Film Reviews

Published:
08.05.10 / 9pm
Category:
Films