Bought to you by OBS staff member Annabell Cadiz

Warning–There are some spoilers in the review!

Review: The movie begins with Balthazar Black (Nicolas Cage) narrating the story as he and his fellow sorcerer’s fight against the evil sorcerer Morgana (Alice Krige). Merlin, Balthazar’s master and teacher, falls due to Maxim Horvath’s (Alfred Molina), Balthazar’s best friend, betrayal. Veronica (Monica Bellucci) another one of Merlin’s students, performs a “Soul Merging” spell that traps herself and Morgana within one body. Balthazar is able to lock away Morgana and Horvath into a nesting doll. Before Merlin dies he tells Balthazar there is another meant to take his place, the “Prime Merlinian,” and Balthazar needs to find him. Merlin gives him a ring that will help him to do so. Balthazar then sets out to find the one who is meant to stop Morgana from being freed and destroying the world.

Now, I must admit, at the beginning I was very reluctant to see this movie. By the trailers I figured it would be too predictable and with a corny love story. Confession: I WAS SO WRONG!

Yes, the storyline to a certain degree is predictable and there is a slight love story but that didn’t take away my enjoyment. The visual effects alone were impressive! A paper dragon being turned into a real one. Confetti being used like a fog. A giant metal eagle being formed from the top of a building. The visual effects flowed seamlessly. You don’t end up feeling like you’re watching a movie soaked in graphics which is always a plus in my book because now a days every movie has some form of CGI technology thrown in and not all of them are worth the money.

The acting in this movie was wonderful! Nicolas Cage ROCKED MY SOCKS! He proves yet again why he’s such a sought after actor. He’s zany and quirky and pulls off his sarcasm like a pro. Alfred Molina’s performance was beautifully done. He makes being a bad guy look like so much fun. And Jay Baruchel, who plays the apprentice Nicolas Cage character Balthazar needs, is PERFECT as the shy science geek. His facial expressions alone had me rolling in my seat. He managed to keep the humor along with Nick Cage, without being cheap or forced. Jay managed to pull off the awkward, shy, slightly oblivious, nerd well! All nerds everywhere (I included) will LOVE this movie!

If you’re looking for a really good family film to take the little ones to then The Sorcerer’s Apprentice should be the one you go watch! Or even if you’re looking for a movie that’s filled with good actors, great visual effects, humor that will have you convulsing in your seat then this is your movie! So GO WATCH IT! RIGHT NOW!

Rating: PG

Running Time: 121 minutes

Directed By: Jon Turteltaub

Rating: 10/10