When wizards Balthazar Blake (Nicolas Cage) and Maxim Hovath (Alfred Molina) are freed from an ancient urn, the villainous Hovath recommences his fight to unleash evil sorceress Morgana Le Fey (Alice Krige) on the world. With Morgana's spirit locked up in ancient artefact the Grimhold, Balthazar enlists nerdy physics student Dave Stutler (Jay Baruchel) to help halt his nemesis's malevolent pursuit. His apprentice reluctantly begins lessons in the art of magic, unaware that he is the 'Prime Merlinian' and destined to succeed his master in the battle to slay Morgana.
Cage reunites with the director of the National Treasure series for this fun-packed, effects-laden fantasy. Inspired by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's 18th-century poem, by way of Mickey Mouse, the mischief and mayhem of the story lends itself to some pleasing comedy and thrilling CGI. The requisite moments of spectacle are strung together ably by the likeable and talented performers, with Baruchel loveably dopey and Molina deliciously evil.
In competition with Potter and pals, it may not cast everyone under its spell, but The Sorcerer's Apprentice does have its moments of magic.
The Sorcerer's Apprentice is a Film programme that first aired in 2010 and has been classified a PG certificate.
