DISNEY show there’s more to magic than Harry Potter with this week’s release The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.
When 10 year old New Yorker Dave Stutler wanders into a down town magic shop, a clumsy accident unleashes the evil Maxim Horvath (Alfred Molina) forcing the mysterious Balthazar (Nicholas Cage) to trap the battling wizards in a mystical urn.
Ten years - and some therapy - later, Dave (Jay Baruchel) has become a budding scientist preparing to graduate. That is until Balthazar and Horvarth return in a fight to find a mystical doll which contains some of the deadliest sorcerer's on the planet - including the wicked Morgana.
Destined to help fight the nasty Morganians, Dave agrees to become Balthazar's apprentice.
But training to become a powerful sorcerer while attempting to win over the girl of his dreams and saving the world may be too much to handle.
Big, loud & brash
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer specialises in bringing larger than life event films to the big screen, and with The Sorcerer's Apprentice his trademarked 'big, loud and brash' stamp remains intact.
Firmly set in action/comedy/family-flick territory, director John Turteltaub throws out a plethora of eye-pleasing special effects and inoffensive fun.
From giant metal eagles to high-speed chases in transforming cars through the streets of NYC, no corners are cut in a bid to entertain.
And a clear homage to the beloved Fantasia as Dave attempts to clean his lab marks a nice touch for Disney fans.
A rushed introduction attempting to cram in the Merlinian back-story may be a disappointingly unimaginative and cliched narrative tool, but once dealt with Turteltaub keeps the pace fast and tight; nicely balancing the different story strands and making the 110 minute runtime fly by.
Strong cast
Grounding the fantastical elements are the accomplished cast.
Baruchel may be playing the same awkward/geeky character from every one of his big screen appearances, but it lends itself perfectly to the character and the film.
Remaining amiable throughout, he carries the audience through as he gets to grips with his newly acquired skills.
An under-used Toby Kebbell as a villainous assistant steals his very few scenes, while Alferd Molina clearly relishes being the dastardly bad guy.
But it is Nicholas Cage who may divide audiences.
Although his hair-piece is far less distracting than in previous films and his few dryly comic moments entertain, he never really finds his feet in the role - struggling to determine whether he's a steely faced teacher or an eccentric, thousand year old wizard.
Whether the Mouse House has another franchise on their hands akin to Pirates Of The Carribean remains to be seen; but for a healthy dose of brainless, Hollywood goodness; The Sorcerer's Apprentice brings a dose of big-budget fantasy fun to the summer blockbuster rota.
6/10 - Wand-erful fun.