The Sorcerer's Apprentice

Quite fun and with a lot of expensive digital tricks to see (which ultimately improve the overall impression), but also toothless and with a clumsy main character to boot. There is so much illogicality in the story that the great number of starving African children appear to be a negligible figure in comparison. The few good ideas are drowned out by the fact that the few spells are repeated over and over again, and that it's all too complicated and yet shamefully predictable. In addition, Turteltaub isn’t able to film a battle of two wizards or an action scene in a way that looks even slightly interesting. Basically, it’s the same as The Last Airbender, but I gave that film 3 stars, because at least I laughed decently during it. (02/09/2011)

Excessive bet on certainty. There have been many modern action-romantic fantasies in recent years, but not every one can be made into a saga. This one definitely won't be. It's not a disaster, but almost everything has been seen better elsewhere. Nicolas Cage stands out the most in the film, as if he was born for Turteltaub's films, but he will shine even more in the third National Treasure. Modestly positive impressions are left by him, the "flash" version of Secrets by OneRepublic, and an unexpected reminder of a classic Disney short. (14/05/2011)

The first half is undeniably awesome! Cage has a big mane on his head after thirteen years and is cooler than ever, Baruchel is a nerdy dork and Molina's slimy villain is best of all. But then the rules are laid down, Turteltaub starts repeating everything (can they really do no more than throw plasma balls at each other!?) and the wit and perspective disappear. The finale is as breathless and boring as the bulldog. It’s a sad state of affairs when, after less than an hour, you still think you’d love to give this "Bruckheimer popcorn" four stars. (14/11/2010)

Well, yeah, I like Nicolas Cage, I'm not ashamed of it, and basically every movie with him somehow interests me. Sure, this isn't a role like in "Kick-Ass", but this mentor pose suits him quite well. The film is a classic entertaining blockbuster and I don't have much against it. It's not narratively perfect or super original, you just need to watch it once, but for that one viewing, it was a fun entertainment. (13/02/2014)

Except for the exaggerated runtime and the rather unsympathetic main character, I have practically nothing to complain about regarding The Sorcerer's Apprentice. The film was exactly what I expected it to be. Entertaining, digitally spectacular, funny (sometimes a lot ---> quotes from Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark, the line "Are you someone from Depeche mode?"), well acted for easy family entertainment (except for the aforementioned apprentice), and sometimes even action-packed (the car chase) and harmless. Cage and Molina won't disappoint their fans, and Monica Bellucci certainly won't either, although she isn’t on screen for very long. Turteltaub directs skillfully and briskly, helped a lot by Rabin's music (but it doesn't impress when listened to on its own). If you want Hollywood popcorn entertainment, you'll get it. He who spits in anger can only curse himself. Nobody was expecting The Prestige 2, were they? (05/03/2011)