It’s been a long dry spell, but I’m delighted to report that the drought has finally broken. I’ve seen three movies since last I posted to the blog. I will soon be caught up with my reviews, and then there’ll be no stopping this movie train! It was my friend and fellow movie mom R.V. who got me out of the house on this particular occasion, with the promise of curbside drop-off service and a lovely evening with Nicolas Cage. And I’m grateful to her on both counts.
It’s been a long time since I’ve spent an evening with Nic, and he was resplendent in this movie – full of white-toothed charm and leather-clad bravado. Cage plays the role of Balthazar, one of Merlin’s original apprentices, who finds himself centuries later battling his age-old nemesis Horvath, played with creepy coolness by the excellent Alfred Molina.
In addition to two thumbs each for Cage and Molina, I give the movie bonus points for special effects, and for the Mercedes-Benz SLR car chase through Times Square. Despite rampant rumors to the contrary, no one was killed during filming, though I have no doubt that numerous cups of coffee were spilled.
Also on the plus side, you have British funster Toby Kebbell, the hero of my beloved Rocknrolla, who parlays his marginal sorcery skills into a modest career as a flamboyant magician/entertainer. On the negative side, at least for me, was Jay Baruchel, who plays the unsuspecting apprentice in the movie’s title. I know he’s the Next Big Thing and all, but his fumbling “who-me?” schtick got on my nerves sooner rather than later.
The PG rating meant that I didn’t have to close my eyes at any point in the movie, although some kids who are younger than I am might be a little freaked out by the man who manifests out of a swarm of cockroaches. Other than that, it was nothing but fun. If only we could figure out how to get Balthazar and Harry Potter together – with such goodness and power, they could probably pull off world peace.
See the preview for The Sorcerer’s Apprentice here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7ZL3XjwL0E
Posted by Holly "Double Feature" Joplin 
Movie Reviews for Mere Mortals 