The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is a Magical Tale

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The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is a Magical Tale

Movie Review

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is a Magical Tale
Learning the Ancient Art of Wizardry in the Modern Age of Science

By Jim Akans

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is rooted in a poem by the late 18th Century German writer, Johnann Wolfgan von Goethe (can’t think of a more Germanic sounding name), titled; Der Zauberlehrling (okay, maybe that). The central theme of Goethe’s creation recounts the misdeeds of a young wizard’s apprentice who, left alone to tidy up workshop, decides to cast a spell to make the brooms, mops, and water pails clean the shabby surroundings by themselves.

The resulting chaotic scene is perhaps the most memorable one in Disney’s 1940 classic movie, Fantasia, and an interpretation also appears in this 2010 Disney film, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice stars Nicolas Cage as Balthazar, who was also a sorcerer’s apprentice himself, and now runs a curio shop in present day Manhattan. It is a foreboding looking place which helps cut down on walk-in traffic, allowing Balthazar to focus on his real mission; finding the successor to great wizard, Merlin, who had been slain several hundred years earlier by one Balthazar’s fellow Sorcerer’s Apprentices; Horvath (played by Alfred Molina).

While trying to retrieve a windblown love letter, young Dave Stutler wander’s into the antique shop. Balthazar soon discovers that the unsuspecting lad is the elusive Prime Merlinian; the one whom destiny has chosen to inherit Merlin’s incredible powers. Balthazar takes on the task of teaching the ways of magic to the skeptical and reluctant Stutler, though the forces of evil soon arise to make the on the job training especially difficult…actually downright life-threatening.

The special effects in The Sorcerer’s Apprentice are something Merlin himself would be delighted to see. Staged in Manhattan, there are lots of scary looking old buildings, dark alleyways, and menacing looking gargoyles offering modern day computer graphic wizards a bountiful palette to manipulate into amazing special effects. During the live action filming of an early morning car chase scene a Ferrari skidding into a Times Square restaurant window injuring two pedestrians.

Amid all the medieval mojo The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is fueled upon, self-professed nerd, David Stutler, manages to interject a good dose of modern-day science. He has a passion for physics, which Balthazar explains is very much a part of wizardry. “We move molecules,” he observes. “Most humans only use ten percent of their brain capacity…wizards utilize one hundred percent.”

There is a plenty of fun and excitement watching molecules in motion during this one hour and fifty-one minute film, and with a PG rating (mainly for action /fighting scenes) it’s appropriate for virtually every age group. It’s also a humorous movie from time to time, with Nicolas Cage throwing out an occasional one-liner to keep the wits of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and the audience keen.

Science, poetry, mysticism and Disney are united within the reels of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, and the result is truly a magical match.

Exit Comments;

“Good balance between humor and action,” Lori & Mike – East Jordan
“Excellent characters, funny and entertaining,” Elise - Gaylord
“The special effects were amazing.” – Rob – East Jordan
“The action was magical,” Michelle & Gordon - Gaylord
“The broom cleaning scene was well done” Charles – Waters

Audience Preference:

Movie; 95%

Popcorn; 5%

Starring; Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina, Teresa Palmer
Rating; PG
Run Time; 1 hr 51 min