THE SORCEROR’S APPRENTICE
US, 2010, 109 minutes, Colour.
Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina, Teresa Palmer, Toby Kebbell, Monica Bellucci, Alice Kriege, Jake Cherry, Gregory Woo.
Directed by Jon Turteltaub.
Older audiences (for whom this fantasy adventure from Arthurian times to the New York present is not intended) may well remember Fantasia and Mickey Mouse and the mops, brooms and buckets dancing relentlessly to Dukas’ music. In fact, the final credits acknowledge that this screenplay was inspired by that short film. And, entertainingly, there is a brief live-action, special effects re-creation of/homage to that Fantasia scene.
Magic in New York? Sorcerors in Manhattan? In these Harry Potter years, why not?
Actually, the film is a bit reminiscent of Harry Potter (and not just in the fact that Jay Baruchel as Dave, the apprentice in question looks like and describes himself as a ‘physics dork’). But, so busy has he been with his physics experiments that he has probably never heard of Harry Potter, let alone ready any of the books or seen any of the films. He may not have seen Night at the Museum which this film reminds us of in passing.
It all begins with Merlin and his three apprentices, Balthasar (Nicolas Cage), Veronica (Monica Bellucci) and Maxim (Alfred Molina) and the confrontation with Morgana le Fay (Alice Krige). One is a rogue apprentice (no prize for guessing which one). When the spirit of Morgana (ingested by Veronica to save Balthasar) is trapped in one of those dolls with layers of dolls, Balthasar begins his trek through the centuries to find ‘The Prime Merlinian’! Why are they always in the US and, specifically, now and in New York City? What was Merlin thinking in setting a line of prime merlians ending with Dave!
The reluctant Dave does go though his apprenticeship with Balthasar (though often with one or more eyes on the lookout for dream girl, Becki Barnes (Australian Teresa Palmer looking like Naomi Watts’ younger sister). Maxim turns up looking like a catalogue sketch (coat, tie and hat) in a turn of the century advertisement, but a sneering villain none the less.
Lots of action, car chases, flying on gargoyle eagles, clashes with magic powers and, of course, Morgana being released to face her judgment day at Dave’s hands (literally filled with magic).
So, some good holiday fun for younger audiences. (And, for those who wait until the end of the credits, a suggestion for a sequel).
1. Magic fantasy for the 21st-century? The target audience?
2. The prologue, the eighth century A.D., the heritage of Merlin, Morgana and her ambitions, Merlin’s wizards, the clash amongst themselves, Horvath’s betrayal, Veronica trapped, Baltazar wandering the earth? The capturing of Morgana’s spirit? Balthazar and his mission to find the Prime Merlinian? Seeing him in various guises throughout the centuries?
3. The New York city settings, 2000 and 2010? The school children and the excursion? The New York landmarks? The mysterious shop? Dave and his attraction to Becky, following the note, losing it, the experience in the shop?
4. 2010, Dave 10 years later, his physics studies, his appearance, the touch of the nerd? His flatmate, their experiments together? Going to the lecture, losing his notes, the encounter with Becky?
5. Balthazar, in 2010? His appearance? Balthazar and Horvath in the doll for 10 years? Hungry? His mission? To find Dave? Dave and the gift of the powerful ring?
6. Balthazar, his character, and Nick Cage type? Or bath is villain, hat and cloak? Alfred Molina’s performance? Drake Stone as his contact, opting out and taking himself seriously?
7. Balthazar training Dave, introducing the magic, Dave’s response? Yet his continually being distracted by Becky? The outing with her, the date, help with her studies? The interactions with Balthazar, disappointing Balthazar?
8. The episode of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, from the Disney film, the conducting of music, the mops and buckets, the flood? Ousting Becky? Balthazar restoring everything?
9. Balthazar, the exercise of the magic, flying on the Eagle from the building, the various scenes of combat with Horvath?
10. The variety of powers, to find the place where the doll was? Going back to the shop, Horvath disguised as the Chinese woman? Horvath and his enlisting Drake? Dave’s involvement?
11. Becky, fear of heights, yet going up the tower to affect the electricity grid? Dave discovering his powers in himself?
12. Morgana escaping, her plans, the confrontations? Veronica awakened and Morgana coming from her? Balthazar’s seeming death, his being resurrected?
13. The world saved – and the unlikely choice of Dave as the saviour of the world?
