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The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010)

Time Out rating

Average user rating

2 reviews

Synopsis

An on-form Nic Cage plays sorcerer Balthazar Blake recruits a regular Joe to help him defend New York City from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath (Alfred Molina)

Movie review

From Time Out London

Following a welcome return to his bug-eyed heyday in ‘Bad Lieutenant’, Nicolas Cage again goes for the big-bucks jackpot of the family movie with ‘The Sorcerer’s Apprentice’, reuniting with ‘National Treasure’ director Jon Turteltaub for a breezily entertaining but forgettable magical romp. Cage plays Balthazar Blake, a mage locked in a long war of wills with sleazy, power-hungry warlock Horvath (Alfred Molina), until the appearance of bumbling student physicist and natural magician Dave (Jay Baruchel) threatens to tip the balance. Cue training montages, wacky mop-based mishaps and deafening plasma-bolt battles on New York’s streets.
With Cage playing it relatively straight and serious, the show is stolen by moustache-twirling Molina and his David Copperfield-inspired acolyte Drake, essayed with oily glee by Toby Kebbell. But with Baruchel’s likeable lead turn hamstrung by a disastrous romantic subplot, some distinctly non-special effects and a script loaded with blunt expository dialogue, the film casts a superficial and short-lived spell.

Author: Tom Huddleston

Time Out London Issue 2086, 12 – 18 August, 2010

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User reviews of this film

Film Addict said...

Posted on Aug 25 2010 17:57 This is only the 4th time in 6 years i've rated a film 5 stars. Excellent storyline, plenty of action, romance, and humour, the characters were excellent & loved the music - ticked all the boxes for me

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scrumpyjack said...

Posted on Aug 17 2010 17:26 Shame. another enjoyable family film (along with The Karate Kid & Knight & Day) given a miserable review. Look, It aint no life changer, but it is a 6/10 - despite a flat ending.
and 6/10 translates to 3 stars - good summerhols family viewing. Why, T.O, do you not try watching this type of good natured flim-flam in a public screening? you MAY see its "worth" then.

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