701Panduan

Cast & Crew

Director: Jon Turteltaub

Cast: Alfred Molina, Jay Baruchel, Monica Bellucci, Nicolas Cage

Editor's Review

Wow, another fantasy Disney Movie! Ok, so... nerdy hero... check, villain with a sidekick, check, nerdy hero's love interest, check, magic definitely check! Dancing mops and sponges... wait what?! No, I'm afraid Mickey Mouse wasn't a guest star in this flick.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice in a nutshell is about a geeky physics enthusiast becoming an apprentice to the mighty Balthazar in order to safe man-kind from the dastardly evil villains.

And on the other side of that story of course there is a sprinkle of romance, tolerable action sequels, magic and explosive fight scenes coupled with some (but no all) intelligent humor.

There's so much information in the opening scene of the movie, that you might find yourself nodding off a little. We're taken back to 740 AD where we're introduced to the feuding and dying Merlin. However before Merlin collapses to his death, he manages to turn the horridly evil Morgana Le Fay (who's determine to end all human kind) into a Russian nesting doll (meaning she's locked up in a doll.)

Here we're also introduced to Balthazar, his one true love, Victoria and his nemesis, Maxim Horvath, both of whom end up in the nesting doll one layer over the other with Morgana and Victoria at the very bottom.

Now, Balthazar's mission is to find a child who has been destined to take over Merlin. And so he goes on his search and comes face to face with Dave, a-scared-out-of-his pants 10-year-old who runs away after encountering both Balthazar and Horvath who was accidentally released from the doll by Dave himself.

Horvath is ecstatic to be out and is looking forward to releasing the other prisoners in the doll for well - world domination. Oh yes, that's pretty much all they've been wanting to do since 740 AD. Unfortunately the doll is lost.

Ten years go by and Dave is now a 20 year old, even geekier, even nerdier but maybe wittier physics student who still harbors a crush on the same girl he's had his eye on since he was ten.

A lot of good has to be said about this movie based on it's effects alone. However as far as the story line goes it's your typical zero turned into hero sort. When Dave goes under Balthazar's wing and is thought how to use his powers etc, it's clear that he's a newbie and everything he does goes awry, however he suddenly turns into this mighty sorcerer, which is just so unconvincing.

Needless to say, the chase scenes were pretty explosive and I also have to express my utmost delight that this flick was not done in 3D. It honestly would have ruined the originality of the movie. The actors hardly impressed me throughout the movie. Nicholas Cage failed to deliver any intensity or charisma through his character. He came out dry and unimaginative and the whispered tones got a tad irritating at some points (this is coming from a Nicholas Cage fan). As for Jay Baruchel, well he did better here than he did in 'She's out of my league,' that's for sure. He delivered an average enough role to convince us of his character.

Alfred Molina on the other hand was more entertaining to watch compared to the both of them put together. He had great one liners and played a villain well. Oh and as for his side kick, Drake Stone (Toby Kebbell)...where did he come from, seriously? All of a sudden there's another sorcerer? I feel cheated and confused and also feel that his character not only was completely unneeded, it also lacked any presence at all throughout the entire movie.

Broken hearted Balthazar hardly gets any sympathy from me nor did I find myself wanting to see Dave succeed with his magic or getting the girl. It just all seemed a little too simple to take in. The movie just failed to please me from its entertainment point of view nor was it able to capture my interest and attention for too long. What did make it convincing enough to watch untill the end was the little funny bits that made me laugh. Then again, it's very easy to make me laugh.

Source :The Star: