Blu-Ray/DVD Review: 'Sorcerer's Apprentice'

It seemed to come and go at theaters earlier this year, but Disney’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is now on Blu-ray and DVD and truly is a fun film, loaded with creative effects, but also grounded in a story that bodes well for not just a sequel, but perhaps a francise of several movies. 

Very  (very) loosely based on the same-named segment in Disney’s classic Fantasia, the movie spans a millennia though most of the setting is modern-day New York, though with arcane touches right of Dr. Strange comics and the like.  

Nicholas Cage as Balthazar Blake is a one-time disciple of none other than Merlin, while Dave Stutler (Jay Baruchel from Fanboys, Tropic Thunder)  is, but of course, the one he's been seeking for centuries. And he becomes the apprentice.  Alfred Molina relishes his role at bad guy wizard Maxim Horvath. Add Teresa Palmer and Monica Bellucci as love interests for each hero, and a creepy Alice Krige (The Borg Queen in Star Trek: First Contact) and you have a solid cast,  well-guided by director John Turteltaub, though Cage is the real anchor here.

And the magic through movie magic?  It’s quite stellar and also different from say, the land of Potter, with links to science, including a big nod to the work and creatins of Nikola Telsa. Everything looks best on Blu-ray, though the DVD is quite vivid as well. And yes, the Fantasia scene is there, cleverly done, with the music of Paul Dukas, which all was inspired by a 1797 poem by Goethe. 

For those who enjoy behind-the-scenes material, the documentaries provide much insight as fascinating looks at how it all came to together, especially the special effects.   

So this is another score for Jerry Bruckheimer and family-friendly all the way, too, with only a few harrowing moments for the littlest ones, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is watchable and winning and would make a nice little holiday gift in any format. Print up a limited time discount coupon here.