The Sorcerer's Apprentice [Guest Writer] (4 Stars)

Balthazar Blake, played by Nicholas Cage, is a master sorcery stuck in modern-day Manhattan defending the city from his nemesis, Maxim Horvath, played by Alfred Molina. Of course he can't do this alone and finds David Stutler, played by Jay Baruchel, an average guy who has the hidden potential and decides to take him on as his protégé, to David's reluctance. He gives David a crash course in the art of magic and they soon work to stop Horvath and his cronies, who are trying their hardest to awaken a great evil sorceress that was sealed away centuries ago by Balthazar's love interest. Can David come up with the courage to survive his training, save the world and get the girl?

This is a fun movie that is great for all ages. It leaves you laughing quite a lot and I have become a fan of Baruchel and his comedic antics. He has a bit of a quirky wit that appeals to me and Nicholas Cage did very well in this movie as well although I do admit that it's nothing compared to some of his past films that I'm a fan of. He did a similar film - or at least one that felt similar in it's fantastical nature - with Season of the Witch. If I were to be quite honest this movie didn't wow me to the tips of my toes but it did give me the occasional laugh, especially when Baruchel had his Fantasia moment. If you're not familiar with the animated film Fantasia featuring Mickey Mouse, I'm referring to the scene where Mickey - as the Sorcerer's Apprentice (get it?) - puts a spell on a broom, which causes it to come to life and fill up a well using two buckets of water. Soon the well overflows and Mickey is unable to control the broom leading to a near-flood. The movie did a went a similar vain but of course it was modernized and they added a few extra bits here and there that really took it to a new level when Baruchel began fighting and struggling with the brooms and cleaning supplies. [laughs] That's just one of many interesting and funny scenes throughout the movie and while it has it's action scenes and serious moments it does keep things lighthearted in the end. I recommend this to everyone of all ages.