'The Sorcerer’s Apprentice' no classic but good entertainment

Director: Jon Turteltaub

Cast: Nicolas Cage, Monica Bellucci, Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina

Cert: PG

Since this comes from the Disney Studio think 'Fantasia' (1940), the animated classic in which a hapless Mickey Mouse, the-then Sorcerer’s Apprentice, got into a watery mess with buckets of water and dancing mops … there’s a repeat sequence in this film.

That said, this is a modern take on the experienced sorcerer – the 1,300-year-old Balthazar Blake (Cage) – who hires a nerdy student – Dave (Baruchel) – to help him battle the evil Maxim Horvath (Molina) who has the notion of taking over New York and the world.

The film has garnered mixed reviews but, given that it delivers exactly what we expect, it manages to be fun, action-packed and loaded with special F/X.

It’s certainly no classic, but its silly core based around Dave’s attempts to learn how to weave magic in time to save the world, and get the girl, makes for a decent slice of entertainment that can be tolerated by kiddies and adults alike.

Star Rating: 3/5