Inspired by the animated short, we now come to the present CGI-laden incarnation of the tale with Nicolas Cage as the sorcerer and Jay Baruchel (forever known to me as the voice of Hiccup in How to Train Your Dragon) as the apprentice.
Spoilers follow (it's really predictable though, so I think it's safe to read)....
The story begins with the death of Merlin (seriously) at the hands of Morgana le Fay. This was made possible by the betrayal of one of Merlin's three apprentices, Horvath (Alfred Molina). It seems Morgana wants to get a hold of a spell guarded by Merlin called 'The Rising' which would raise the dead and enslave the world. Before she can get away with it, Merlin's other apprentices Balthazar (Cage) and Veronica (Monica Bellucci) arrive to stop her. Veronica is forced to draw Morgana's soul into her own body to prevent her from killing Balthazar, but Morgana starts to kill her from inside. In order to stop Morgana and save Veronica, Balthazar imprisons them both in an inescapable magical vessel known as the Grimhold. Before Merlin dies, he entrusts Balthazar with his dragon ring and instructs him to seek 'The Prime Merlinian', a boy who will inherit Merlin's powers and be the only person who can kill Morgana.
And so, Balthazar goes looking all over the world for a thousand years (must have been boring) until he encounters young Dave Sutler (A Night at the Museum's Jake Cherry, whom I'm sorry to say still can't act) who of course turns out to be The Prime Merlinian. The boy accidentally releases Horvath who has been imprisoned within the Grimhold like many other Morgana followers over the years like Russian nested dolls. A fight breaks out which ultimately results in both sorcerers getting trapped in a magic urn with a ten-year timer (they sure like trapping people in strange vessels).
Ten years later, Dave has gone from an awkward pre-pubescent to an awkward college student. He meets his intended sweetheart from his schooldays and she seems interested (of course) but his joy is shortlived when the timer runs out on the urn and Horvath comes after him. Fortunately, Balthazar is not far behind and rescues him. After overcoming the initial shock and reluctance (and a few battles), Dave eventually becomes Balthazar's apprentice and trains to become a real sorcerer which complicates his romantic plans with Becky (Teresa Palmer). Meanwhile, Horvath gets his own apprentice Drake (Toby Kebbell) and continues his scheme to free Morgana and execute The Rising culminating in a big battle scene, the outcome of which I think need not be mentioned.
The film is clichéd and derivative, but the effects are quite well done if not very spectacular. Baruchel plays the awkward youngster... very awkwardly and Cage turns in the performance expected of him. Of the supporting characters, Molina is always fun to watch and the others are well... they were there. Disposable summer fun, this movie is family friendly and a pleasant enough way to spend an afternoon. There's even a nod to the original story and be sure to stay for the extra scene after the credits (which I didn't see... bah).
And so, Balthazar goes looking all over the world for a thousand years (must have been boring) until he encounters young Dave Sutler (A Night at the Museum's Jake Cherry, whom I'm sorry to say still can't act) who of course turns out to be The Prime Merlinian. The boy accidentally releases Horvath who has been imprisoned within the Grimhold like many other Morgana followers over the years like Russian nested dolls. A fight breaks out which ultimately results in both sorcerers getting trapped in a magic urn with a ten-year timer (they sure like trapping people in strange vessels).
Ten years later, Dave has gone from an awkward pre-pubescent to an awkward college student. He meets his intended sweetheart from his schooldays and she seems interested (of course) but his joy is shortlived when the timer runs out on the urn and Horvath comes after him. Fortunately, Balthazar is not far behind and rescues him. After overcoming the initial shock and reluctance (and a few battles), Dave eventually becomes Balthazar's apprentice and trains to become a real sorcerer which complicates his romantic plans with Becky (Teresa Palmer). Meanwhile, Horvath gets his own apprentice Drake (Toby Kebbell) and continues his scheme to free Morgana and execute The Rising culminating in a big battle scene, the outcome of which I think need not be mentioned.The film is clichéd and derivative, but the effects are quite well done if not very spectacular. Baruchel plays the awkward youngster... very awkwardly and Cage turns in the performance expected of him. Of the supporting characters, Molina is always fun to watch and the others are well... they were there. Disposable summer fun, this movie is family friendly and a pleasant enough way to spend an afternoon. There's even a nod to the original story and be sure to stay for the extra scene after the credits (which I didn't see... bah).
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