Duell der Magier (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice)
U.S.A. 2010

Opening 2 Sep 2010

Directed by: Jon Turteltaub
Writing credits: Lawrence Konner, Marc Rosenthal, Matt Lopez, Doug Miro, Carlo Bernard
Principal actors: Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina, Teresa Palmer, Toby Kebbell

Jon Turteltaub (National Treasure, While You Were Sleeping) directs Nicolas Cage (Leaving Las Vegas, National Treasure), Alfred Molina (Chocolat, Frida) and Jay Baruchel (Million Dollar Baby, Knocked Up), in a new Disney adventure.

Balthazar Blake (Cage) and Maxim Horvath (Molina) have been wizards since back in the days of Merlin. Once closest friends, they are now enemies – one intent on guarding the captured spirit of the evil sorceress, Morgana Le Fay, the other on setting her free.

The scene is set in modern day Manhattan, where Balthazar keeps the multiple-layered doll containing the essence of Le Fay hidden in an antique store. Dave Stutler (Baruchel), a nerdy physics student, stumbles into Balthazar's magical world, only to discover that he is the long-awaited sorcerer who is the only one able to destroy Morgana once and for all. Before he can pick up his mantle and fulfill destiny, however, he must become Balthazar's apprentice. Horvath finds out and doubles his efforts to recover Morgana's remains and bring her back to life so that she can call up an army of darkness to destroy the world as we know it.

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice follows the classic line of the Hero's Quest and, while the story is straightforward, it provides good family entertainment. One passage is also a direct reference to the well-loved Mickey Mouse episode from Fantasia. (Osanna Vaughn)