2 1/2 stars: This show lacks magic

There is a reason we are all put on this planet   some of  us have not found those reasons while others have discovered the reasons  earlier than most and chases after them until they can firmly hold the power they are meant to have in the palm of there hands. Some are meant to be doctors, some are meant to be lawyers, some are meant to be cops, bank mangers, soldiers,  politicians, historians, film directors, screen play writers, film critics, novelists  the list goes on and on. We shape our future by what we do in the here and now and what path we choose to walk the only exception is a lanky young man named David "Dave" Stutler a physics nerd who thinks he is on the right track to his future. Little does he know that fate has something far more important part for the young David to play little does he know that he is about to become "The Sorcerer's Apprentice.”  

When I first heard news that Disney, Jerry Bruckheimer and director Jon Turteltaub were going to adapt a famed section of Disney hugely popular animated feature “Fantasia" I was less than happy seeing as Bruckheimer and Turteltaub were involved. Bruckheimer's last feature "The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" was less than thrilling and the "National Treasure" films that Turteltaub and Bruckheimer produced were two  of  the most preposterous films I have ever seen  yet somehow still remain somewhat enjoyable. Now they have joined forces once again to bring audiences the big screen adaptation of the popular segment of one of the most popular Disney films of all time “The Sorcerer's Apprentice". Jon Turteltaub and Jerry Bruckheimer's  "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" is a fun fast paced, outrageously funny    fantasy adventure film that brings  back  fond memories of both its "Fantasia" counterpart  and of the days that fantasy  was at its peak. What I liked most about this movie is that it tries to be original and in some ways, it is. This movie uses it’s over simplified plot to tell a story that while it may sound familiar works far better and plays far smoother than you could ever hope. “The Sorcerer's Apprentice” is at times a flat movie with jokes that are not all that funny and the action sequences not very thrilling yet they are spectacular to look at. Overall, this film felt rushed not in its direction or its acting but in its story and plot the prologue that sets up the hero and the villains is interesting and very well done. However, I was hoping for there to be more back-story more history to the characters more history of all the Wizards, witches and sorcerers is that Balthazar Blake (Nicolas Cage) had captured. There characters only have maybe two-to three minutes of screen time each it is sad to see such imaginative characters so under used, it is depressing. Nonetheless, this film saves itself by the two lead performances by Jay Baruchel and Nicolas Cage and the particularly stunning special effects this films main flaw is that is suffers from over use of CGI and under use of its talented leads. The result is a highly enjoyable but sorely under developed Fantasy- adventure-comedy that succeeds only on the likability of its cast, the intriguing premise, story and amazing special effects beyond that it has nothing to credible to its name.

This is the kind of film that you like more at the time than after you have left the theater  once you walk out your minds start processing the movie, breaking it down  then you realize the film was not as good as you had initially thought. You see "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" is far more enjoyable while your watching   while you are having your senses blow by the special effects and cool visuals tricks  there is no ebb no flow  it is just all flat out spectacle and grandeur nothing more. If I said I did not enjoy this film immensely I would be a liar I did enjoy it in fact I almost loved it as a moviegoer as a critic it was good just not good enough. To take my own spin on a famous line spoken by Edward G. Robinson to sum up the true quality of this film, "You were good, kid ,real good, but as  long as 'Inception's around you'll always be second best, see?".

Nicolas Cage  is one of my all time favorite actors I have been a fans since I was 11 years old  the first Cage film I saw would have to be "Raising   Arizona"(1987) I didn't really like it but I did however like Cage's performance in that film  even though it seemed flat at times. In his latest work "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" Cage's performance is very restrained at times emotionally distant. In fact, he is almost complete devoid of emotion throughout the film excluding maybe two or three moments where he cracked a joke, poked fun at Dave (Jay Baruchel)   but beyond that the character Balthazar Blake is one bland person I mean come on! You have the coolest powers and the best job in the world(albeit a dangerous one). And you don't even joke once in a great while  about it, turn water into funk, throw a sexy party  do something.  To quote Heath Ledger from "The Dark Knight"  "Why so Serious?"  I had never heard of Jay Baruchel outside of "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" and "She's out of my League.” After viewing this film, I am pleased to say that I think the kid actually has some talent as a skilled comedian albeit I have only seen him in one film I actually quite enjoyed his wry comedic performance in this film. While his performance  lacked depth and character Baruchel  still manages to save this fledgling picture from the abyss that is movie hell, Baruchel's chemistry with Cage is great they make a good team  they're like Nero Wolfe and his skinny friend who name escapes me, Batman and Robin, John Constantine and Chaz Kramer, Jack Sparrow and Barbosa(okay bad example). Never the less Cage and Baruchel area good team and together they save this film from the muddled value of its production. The rest of the cast including Alfred Molina, Toby Kebbell, Omar Benson Miller, Alice Krige,  Jake Cherry, Monica Bellucci(love her so much!@) and Teresa Palmer all turn in good supporting performances in a film that is your money's worth and sadly nothing more.

I  had high hopes for this movie sadly the finished product only lived up to m expectations half way. The movie is well made and competently acted but it lacks a real true human touch most of all real magic. There is no magic to it sure there are cool spells and magic in the film but I am talking about the magic of filmmaking the kind of magic that makes films great and makes them the classics that they are. "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" has some of the magic but its too weak for it to show off any flashy tricks beyond what it displays onscreen as a filmgoer I loved the film it was great popcorn entertainment. As a critic, I am sad to say that I was not as impressed as I thought I would be however, for what it is "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" is entertaining and very enjoyable films   just do not expect anything to spectacular and you and this film will get along just fine.