In a summer full of potential blockbuster films with big stars, big names and big budgets, it’s relieving to find one or two of those films that are actually worth the admission ticket for theater viewing.
So far this season this reviewer has seen two of them.
Iron Man 2 was one of them.
Toy Story 3 was the other.
There is now a third film to add to the pleasant mix, and surprisingly it is neither a sequel, a prequel nor a remake.
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice certainly has its roots in history, both literarily and musically, not to mention the Disney homage to the classic tale with Mickey Mouse in the title role in the heart of the classic Fantasia animated feature.
But this is not your father’s Apprentice.
Updated for this generation and actually intelligently rethought and re-imagined by the Bruckheimer/Turtletaub/Cage combination that have two successful National Treasure installments under their belts (with a third one on the way), this non-Potter, non-Narnia, non-Rings magic tale is proving this cinema-success trio to be the Lucas/Speilberg/Ford powerhouse of the modern day.
Betrayed by his best friend and entrusted with the trapped soul of his mortal enemy, Blake Balthasar (Nicholas Cage) goes in search of the only sorcerer in the world who can defeat the evil power that killed his mentor, Merlin, and stole away the woman he loves. Time has no meaning as he has been enchanted with a longevity spell that can only be broken if he is killed or if this sorcerer of prophecy is found and fulfills his (or her) destiny.
Fast forward 1200 or so years later and the most unlikely of young men turns out to be exactly that sorcerer. If only he wasn’t distracted by love, unsure of his abilities and willing to actually take a risk now and then.
Make no mistake about it, this is a popcorn movie, but in the same vein as [amazon_link id=”B001BKZD7S” target=”_blank” ]Pirates of the Caribbean[/amazon_link] or [amazon_link id=”B00388PK1A” target=”_blank” ]The Wizard of Oz (70th Anniversary Edition) [Blu-ray][/amazon_link]. We fear for our young hero, but are convinced he will persevere in the end, so there is never really any sense of danger, but the ride is certainly fun and satisfying, a thrill-a-minute that uses its special effects and script wisely to build plot and execute points without getting silly, unbelievable (for a magic movie or disjointed at any time.
Perhaps the most refreshing facet of this particular incarnation of this story, and the whole magic upheaval in general) is that “magic” in this story is a combination of actual science and ones inner abilities, not just some indefinable power or a tome full of dry reading to be memorized.
Despite its predictable execution, obligatory homage to the original story smack in the middle of its telling, and the currently popular video game-type ending, this film is nothing but pure delight from beginning to end. We start with familiar characters (Merlin, Morgana, Horvath, etc.) to give a comfortable feel to the film, have a healthy dose of magic mayhem, throw in a reference or two to the blockbusters that paved the way for its existence (including [amazon_link id=”B003ZSJ212″ target=”_blank” ]Star Wars (Episodes I-VI) [Blu-ray][/amazon_link], [amazon_link id=”B0014Z4OMU” target=”_blank” ]Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark[/amazon_link], Harry Potter and a very brief nod…or bow, rather to [amazon_link id=”B002VPE1BQ” target=”_blank” ]The Last Airbender[/amazon_link]) and the undeniable appeal of young love, put it all in the hands of the Disney hit machine, and this wonderful balance of humor, thrills, romance, magic and classic storytelling actually makes you feel like you got your money’s worth without unnecessary 3-D trickery or over the top film visuals to get there. Grab some comfort food at the concession stand, sit back, and enjoy this family friendly live-action feature sometime during your busy, blistering summer.
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice *** (out of 4) Directed by John Turtletaub. Starring Nicholas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina, Theresa Palmer, Toby Kebbel and Alice Krige. Rated PG for mild violence.
(Special note…look throughout the move for references to other Disney movies. There are many).
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