"THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE" 4****STARS

"THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE" is a really cool take on a classic Disney story. It's a modern take on a classic Disney story about a sorcerer and his awkward young apprentice who's reluctant to take on his new role, but has to step up to the plate after the two get caught up in some serious drama that forces them into a battle against some evil forces that are dead set on taking over the world. 

NICHOLAS CAGE is Balthazar Blake a master sorcerer in current-day Manhattan who's trying to defend the city from his arch-ememy, Maxim Horvath (ALFRED MOLINA). Balthazar needs some help to accomplish his mission so he enlists the aid of  Dave Stutler (JAY BARUCHEL) a college student who's kind of nerdy but very intelligent who loves physics. He has some extraordinary hidden talents that he hasn't even fully come to terms with yet but by design, makes him destined to be Balthazar's protege. They don't have much time, so the sorcerer is forced to bring his apprentice up to speed with a crash course in the school of wizardy and magic.

Stutler is distracted by several things including a budding romance with a young woman but he has to calm his fears, survive his training and with the sorcerer's help save the city from the evil forces of darkness. What I love about this film is the pairing of Nicholas Cage and Jay Baruchel. Their characters are complete opposites. Cage plays Balthazar with a cool fearless swagger that really makes you take him seriously but he also gives you that dry tongue and cheek humor we're used to seeing in all his characters. Baruchal is brilliant as the apprentice. He's the quintessential bumbling, fumbling idiot but he's lovable and you know he's a good kid who's conflicted by his special mystical powers, which he's never understood and and for the most part ignored. 

We're essentially watching him grow into his destiny and it's fun to watch. The special effects are top of the line on an epic scale but you would expect no less from Detroit's own mega hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer. This is a really cool adventure. You'll have some fun, you'll laugh and be inspired by this quirky kid who proves that you don't have to be a muscle bound athlete to be a hero. Even the most unlikely people can step up to the plate and save the day and when you see this movie you'll root for this unlikely duo to do just that!

Walt Disney Studios (PG)

Cast: Nicholas Cage, Alfred Molina,

Jay Baruchel

Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer

Comedy/Adventure

4 Stars