The Sorcerer's Apprentice

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

13/7/2010 1h 49m 6.1/10

Overview

Balthazar Blake is a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan trying to defend the city from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath. Balthazar can't do it alone, so he recruits Dave Stutler, a seemingly average guy who demonstrates hidden potential, as his reluctant protégé. The sorcerer gives his unwilling accomplice a crash course in the art and science of magic, and together, these unlikely partners work to stop the forces of darkness.

Director

George Marshall Ruge

Top Billed Cast

Nicolas Cage

Nicolas Cage

Balthazar Blake

Alfred Molina

Alfred Molina

Maxim Horvath

Teresa Palmer

Teresa Palmer

Rebecca "Becky" Barnes

Jay Baruchel

Jay Baruchel

David "Dave" Stutler

Omar Benson Miller

Omar Benson Miller

Bennet Zurrow

Toby Kebbell

Toby Kebbell

Drake Stone

Reviews

r96sk

11/9/2020

7/10

Good enough, if nothing standout. <em>'The Sorcerer’s Apprentice'</em> is an interesting film. The premise isn't anything revolutionary, it follows the same beats that a load of these sorta films do; I recall <em>'Bulletproof Monk'</em> and <em>'Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief'</em> having similar-ish set-ups. That's not to say it isn't enjoyable, as I did like it. Nicolas Cage always manages to entertain one way or another, while Jay Baruchel works well for the comedic stuff in particular. Alfred Molina makes another live-action Disney appearance, following on from <em>'Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time'</em> two months prior. He's solid, but better in the latter. The special effects are excellent, I really enjoyed seeing it all come to life onscreen. The score is decent, though the pacing could've been finer. Overall, it's a film I just about feel satisfied with. Worth a watch? Sure.

CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

4/4/2022

5/10

Aside from an entertaining scene with some of Lukas' wonderful "L'Apprenti Sorcier" and some overly enthusiastic mops, this is a really poor adaptation of this Arthurian legend. In days of old, "Merlin" manages to imprison "Morgana" (Alice Krige) inside a sort of Russian doll. It falls to "Balthazar" (Nicolas Cage) to keep it safe over the millennia until the successor to the sagely old wizard emerges. Well it does, in the unlikely guise of the rather geeky "Dave" (Jay Baruchel) and so it falls to the former to train the hapless latter in the arts of sorcery. Meanwhile, the nasty "Horvath" (Alfred Molina) is bent on releasing the witch from her captivity, and aided by a Billy Idol style rocker "Drake Stone" (Toby Kebbell) is hot on their trail. To be fair, the intention is good - there is plenty of quickly-paced action, the visual effects are adequate and it really looks ok. The acting, though, is pretty terrible. There isn't the slightest hint of a spark between Cage and his young protege; Molina as the suave and ruthless "Horvath" falls fairly flat and the rest of the cast really just serve to clutter this up. Apart, that is, from Kebbell who is having a little fun. The dialogue is unremarkable, and at ten minutes shy of two hours, this is also just way too long. Pity. It has the resources to be good - just let down by the imagination of Messrs Cage and Turteltaub.

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