The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel and Alfred Molina
Directed by: Jon Turteltaub
Opens July 16, 2010
Cage reunites with National Treasure director Turteltaub for this live-action adaptation of Disney’s trailblazing animated short subject, which itself was based on the 1797 Goethe poem. In modern-day New York City, a hapless schlub (Baruchel) is recruited by a wild-eyed magician (Cage) to help defend the city from an evil wizard (Molina) bent on its destruction.
What We Think: Parts of this film remind us of National Treasure (decent), others of The Vampire’s Assistant (not so decent), still others of Dragonball (disastrous). Cage’s recent uptick (we loved Bad Lieutenant and Kick-Ass) has us encouraged.
Cool to Know: The original animated short subject debuted in 1942 as part of Disney’s feature-length Fantasia. The Academy was so impressed by its innovative blend of music and visuals that they invented a special award for it.
