Today’s quick review: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. For centuries, Balthazar (Nicolas Cage) has searched for the Prime Merlinean, the sorcerer destined to destroy the evil Morgana (Alice Krige). He finally finds a likely candidate in Dave Stutler (Jay Baruchel), a physics student with a sharp mind and poor social skills. But Dave immediately gets into trouble when Horvath (Alfred Molina), Morgana’s greatest servant, tries to free her from her prison.
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is a fantasy action adventure about a young man chosen to inherit the power of Merlin. The story revolves around Dave’s attempts to master his magic, impress Becky (Teresa Palmer), and prevent Horvath from freeing Morgana. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice has some interesting action and backs it up with decent special effects and storytelling. The result isn’t especially unique or memorable, but it is enjoyable while it lasts.
The greatest strength of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is its magic. The movie hits a sweet spot with its spells: ideas that are easy to understand and play well on the screen without entirely breaking the logic of the plot. No single spell stands out from the rest, but the tricks that Balthazar and Horvath throw at one another are enough to keep the action varied and engaging, a medley of levitation, transformations, and illusions.
On the story side, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice sticks to the basics but handles them well. The plot is typical for a youth fantasy story but makes enough minor changes to the formula to have its own identity. Nicolas Cage is an easy fit for the role of Balthazar, a mentor who’s strict but not heartless. Alfred Molina matches him well as Horvath. Jay Baruchel is a mixed bag as Dave, with awkwardness that can be amusing or grating depending on the scene.
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is a decent pick for younger viewers and fans of the fantasy genre. The movie isn’t quite original or distinctive enough to stand out from its field, but it’s a credible execution of a classic formula. It also scores consistent, minor wins with its creative magic and character interactions, making it a fairly fun pick for the right viewer. Those looking for something groundbreaking should steer clear.
For a fantasy adventure with even more mind-bending magic, try Doctor Strange. For a slightly darker fantasy adventure with a similar premise, try The Seventh Son. For youth fantasy with better characters and a more elaborate plot, try the Harry Potter series. For a superhero fantasy adventure with a similar plot, try Shazam!. For a more teen-oriented take on a secret magical world, try The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.
6.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for a serviceable plot and some creative magic.