Rating:  

Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Saturn Films, Broken Road Productions, Junction Entertainment and Walt Disney Pictures.

Written By: Lawrence Konner, Mark Rosenthal, and Mark Lopez (Screen Story) and Mark Lopez, Doug Miro, and Carlo Bernard (Screenplay). Inspired by an animated segment of the same name from Walt Disney Pictures’ 1940 film, “Fantasia”

“The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” is the toughest type of film to review – one that does enough for its running time to warrant a viewing, but ultimately disappears into the ether the moment you leave the theater or hit stop on your DVD player. On the one hand, the film is mindless entertainment, designed as nothing more and nothing less than a family-oriented adventure film. On the other hand, it really is nothing special at all. So, essentially super-producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Walt Disney Pictures have given us 111 cinematic minutes of pretty impressive nothing, which I imagine parents will appreciate, reviewers/critics/bloggers will tear apart, and the average everyday filmgoer will be left wondering (ahem…) whether they should see it or not.

The truth is…I kinda don’t know.

Loosely based from a segment in the 1940 animated classic, “Fantasia”, “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” is an assembly line Jerry Bruckheimer production; drenched in abundant and near-constant CGI effects slathered over a mediocre and amusing story. Here, Nicolas Cage plays Balthazar, a 1,000-plus year old sorcerer who has been looking for the chosen one. That chosen soul is Dave (Jay Baruchel), a geeky and awkward kid who Balthazar first encounters at the age of 10 when a wind-swept love note drifts oh so conveniently into Balthazar’s magic shop. Due to carelessness by Dave and Balthazar in their chance encounter, thousands of years of conflict come rushing forward, involving young Dave, Balthazar, a nesting doll, cockroaches (just…don’t…ask) and trapped souls from centuries past. Dave has unwittingly opened the door to immediate mayhem and has inadvertently trapped Balthazar and archenemy Horvath (Alfred Molina!) in a nesting doll of trapped souls for a period of 10 years to the day.

Dave, now 20 when the film leaps to the present, has held on to an artifact from that magic shop encounter but has apparently forgotten the whole 10-year thing. Shocked to be out at night and find Balthazar, he tries to flee from his apparent destiny. Naturally, Balthazar reminds him of the importance of that destiny because you see, the time is nigh for Balthazar and Dave to come together and stop the evil about to be perpetrated on the world by escaped sorcerer, Horvath, who also emerged from the nesting doll of trapped souls 10 years to the day. Dave, spouting the formulaic resistance dialogue every one of these magical fantasy movies offers, begrudgingly accepts that he is The Chosen One and becomes Balthazar’s apprentice, learning the skills and tools to perfect his impending battle against havoc and destruction.

Did I mention Dave falls in love too? With that girl (Teresa Palmer) who was the subject of the love note? Does it have any purpose within the framework of the movie? No. Let’s move on.

So what is good about it? Well for one, “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” really never takes itself seriously. Directed by Jon Turteltaub (also the director of Cage’s “National Treasure” adventures), “…Apprentice” is easy to consume – like the $5 box of candy you bought for yourself, or your child, before watching the movie. That it looks really polished and accomplished makes the taste even more appealing. Nicolas Cage dials it down here a bit, a significant achievement for him while clad in magician’s costuming and a grungy alternative rock hairpiece. I rather liked Jay Baruchel again here as well. He brings an exuberance to Dave that makes the character more entertaining than he has any right to be. And you know, Baruchel has put together a quietly impressive 2010 with his voice work as Hiccup in “How To Train Your Dragon” and the lovestruck Kirk in the adult comedy, “She’s Out Of My League.”

The best part of this film is Alfred Molina, as he was in Disney’s earlier 2010 blockbuster release, “Prince Of Persia: Sands Of Time.” Molina is the villain Horvath here and he reminds us, even in this throwaway matinee of a film, that he is one of the finest actors working today. Besting Cage and Baruchel in each scene he shares with them, Molina delivers an over-the-top ridiculous performance that just works and never feels forced or out of control.

And so, there it is. A few likable performances, some impressive special effects and some claptrap about magic and a ring and possessed souls yearning to break free. I mean, it really is not a well-put together film. And yet, in some ways I suppose it is.

Basically, the problems with the screenplay (5 or 6 people worked on this thing?), the predictability of the entire movie and the distracting and unnecessary love story simply make the film something I cannot recommend.

But you know what…every now and then, I like cotton candy even though it sticks to my teeth, hurts my stomach, and stains my tongue. I eat too much ice cream and lately, it shows – but, I keep eating it. I do not drink enough water, yet always find room for a diet cola. The point being, I don’t judge anyone for seeing this and liking it, because it is merely the latest theatrical example of momentary engagement. We see it, we like it or tolerate it, and then it drifts away out of sight and out of mind. For lots of us, that works out just fine.

Should I See It?

Disposable and throwaway, “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” is harmless family entertainment and may dazzle younger viewers with its near constant visual effects.

Alfred Molina’s performance will save some of the day for those with more discriminate tastes.

Fans of “Fantasia” will be pleased to see an homage to the short film segment this film was loosely based on.

See what Disney can do nowadays with a spare $150 million or so in the bank.

In totality, the movie is not very good. Too hit or miss, too uneven to warrant the high ticket price. There are better films awaiting your cash, debit, or credit.

Another victim of too many chefs in the kitchen in terms of writing, I wonder how many took the vote to include the unnecessary love story between Dave and Becky that virtually halts the film through the middle half and end.

If you love nutjob Nicolas Cage performances, and who doesn’t, he is tempered here, at times he seems sedated. A personal disappointment I must admit.