Review

Review Date: 18-July-10
Spoiler Rating: Low
Juju Judgment: Just OK

The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010)

The thematic allure of magic stems from the fact that it is not a run-of-the-mill practice but a rare talent which could make the ordinary world extraordinary. If anyone still buys into the aggressively propounded fiction that Disney has cornered this commodity, I offer the Mouse House's latest live-action endeavor The Sorcerer's Apprentice. Here is a summer flick, suitable for most ages, which should have been cool but epitomizes prepackaged Disney fluff. Nothing could be more run-of-the-mill than this story about a modern college student embracing his destiny as the heir of Merlin. It's enough to break a theatergoer's heart considering what the movie has going for it. Take Nicolas Cage, sexier than ever wearing a long leather coat, a stern apocalyptic stare, and "old man" shoes. His character Balthazar has a right to such footwear because he has been kicking around for roughly 1,200 years waiting to avenge Merlin's murder. Take Jay Baruchel, Cage's preternaturally appealing co-star, as the NYU physics geek who can realize Balthazar's goal by accepting a magical calling and committing himself to training. Take Alfred Molina as the bitter warlock bent on destroying the world, since when doesn't Molina elevate the part he plays? Finally, take the possibilities presented by wizardry in present-day New York and computers that can put on screen anything a filmmaker can imagine. If Molina's character wants bitter, I give him this: there is nothing more upsetting than wasted potential.

Thus we have The Sorcerer's Apprentice, two hours comprising the minimum of what was needed and almost none of what was possible. While the male stars generate the spark that saves the flick from failure, the production as a whole merely ticks off items from the Moviemaking for the Lazy, Brainless and/or Greedy list. Predominant, of course, is the Girl of our heroic nerd's dreams (Teresa Palmer). After decades of careless use this role has lost all personality and interest so that one movie's bland, superfluous Girl is indistinguishable from any other's. (I wonder if actresses worry about taking the role these days, since it can render them invisible. Anyone remember Maria Pitillo or think Megan Fox will enjoy a long career? I didn't think so.) A nod to the scene from Fantasia that gives The Sorcerer's Apprentice its name is excusable; not so the invasive soundtrack, egregious product placement, lame college-buddy-of-color moments, and laughable show of encouraging young people to take an interest in science. (That's Disney for ya: they're all about the kids.) I cringe to report that the studio also hauled in a dog to fart in one scene and pee in another. Perhaps it's crazy to hope that commercial filmmakers might still take pride in their craft, that the whole business is not solely about wringing the most profit from the least outlay. Even if this hope equals insanity, I plan to cling to it. Disney may be content to churn out the same pap over and over, but — even as the actors here suggest — I'm sure there is real magic in them there Hollywood hills.

Copyright © 2010 The Jujube (M. I. Kim). All rights reserved.