The Sorcerer's Apprentice

Directed By: Jon Turteltaub
Written By: Lawrence Konner, Mark Rosenthal and Matt Lopez
Starring: Nicholas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina and Teresa Palmer
Rated: PG

MY RATING: B-

A nice, little magical Disney thrill ride. 

The Sorcerer's Apprentice begins with a young boy named Dave who stumbles into an antique store while on a class field trip.  There he runs into Balthazar (Nicholas Cage) who's been searching for a new apprentice.  Balthazar gives Dave a metal dragon which comes to life and wraps itself around Dave's finger forming a ring.  Balthazar knows he's now found his new sorcerer, but a battle ensues between him and Horvath (Alfred Molina) leaving them trapped in an urn for 10 years.  Dave holds on to the ring without a clue of what he is to do with it.  Fast forward 10 years, Dave (Jay Baruchel) is 20 years old and a college student studying Physics.  Balthazar and Horvath have both escaped the urn and are searching for Dave but for very different reasons.  Balthazar reaches Dave and convinces him to be his apprentice and learn the art of magic so they can stop Horvath's plan and save their city. 

Now I found this one to be entertaining and packed full of action.  Pretty good for a kid's film.  I enjoyed the special effects employed for the sorcerers powers.  Very imaginative illusions.  I was also very pleased with Nicholas Cage as the master sorcerer Balthazar but his apprentice (Jay Baruchel) I'm not so sure about.  I kept wondering when he'd become more dark, mysterious and intimidating.  All of the other sorcerers in the movie were intense and daunting but Dave (Baruchel) was a little too timid and unassuming for my taste.  Alfred Molina as Horvath was the perfect villain but Dave was no realistic match for him.  He did however have the sweet, sensitive side that works for the heart of the film and he delivered the charm and humor that appeals to the younger audiences. 
The film took place in New York City which added depth and kept it grounded, gritty and mysterious.
I didn't think there would be much of a story like many other action, adventure films these days but there actually was a nice little plot to follow - or plots.  There were two stories at play here: the race to gain a nesting doll called a Grim Hold (entraps sorcerers) and the training of Dave the apprentice.  I'm not sure which story was more entertaining but by the end neither mattered, only the defeat of Horvath (Molina).
So if you're looking for an adventurous family film that's visually entertaining with a simple, easy to follow plot then you'll definitely have a good time with this one.

I say see it but there's no rush.