The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | Release Date: July 14, 2010
6.2
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 214 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
101
Mixed:
89
Negative:
24
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User scoreBy dateMost helpful
8
RadeM.Jul 17, 2010
My girlfriend, my sister and I really liked this movie, and we are in late twenties. It reminded us of childhood. It has funny moments, not too many slow moments and a predictable story that was told in a good and interesting way. In fact My girlfriend, my sister and I really liked this movie, and we are in late twenties. It reminded us of childhood. It has funny moments, not too many slow moments and a predictable story that was told in a good and interesting way. In fact everything we expected from this movie we've got in the end. My sister even asked me if there would be a sequel! :)… Expand
4 of 4 users found this helpful
7
ChadSJul 16, 2010
From a park bench, Balthazar(Nicolas Cage), a former nesting doll prisoner enjoying his first meal in a thousand years, can see that Becky(Teresa Palmer), a college radio deejay who is heading toward the subway after a night of indie rock From a park bench, Balthazar(Nicolas Cage), a former nesting doll prisoner enjoying his first meal in a thousand years, can see that Becky(Teresa Palmer), a college radio deejay who is heading toward the subway after a night of indie rock proselytizing, is clearly out of Dave's league, so he waves a pickle(it's not an especially large pickle) at his apprentice because he knows a little overcompensation couldn't hurt the physics nerd's chances for an intimate relationship. What if she's a size queen? And boy, does Dave(Jay Baruchel) overcompensate big time, as the bling on his finger turns the one-time laughingstock of the fifth grade into a powerful conjurer of magic, which more than makes up for the boy's slight physique and small "pickle". Right away, the ring pays off dividends, when Dave apprehends a mugger who had just stolen Becky's bling that had belonged to her grandmother, and as a result, proves Balthazar right since now the NYU student positions himself as a potential suitor. At first, Dave overcompensates with brains(good enough to be her good friend), when he restores the radio station's low wattage signal, enabling Becky to broadcast her show. (She seems more Maroon 5 than Fleet Foxes.) But now that Dave understands what being the Prime Meridian could entail, this seemingly unapproachable girl is no longer out of his league. There's a small problem, though. Telling a beautiful girl that you're the second coming of Merlin, in most cases, would be an automatic dealbreaker, and this is where "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" errs dramatically. The film should have established an interim period in which Becky thinks Dave's childhood tormentors were right to dismiss the boy as a weirdo(the incident at Arcana Cabana). It would have made the final sequence of action all the more galvanizing, in which she'd realize that the Tesla boy was telling her the truth. But Becky learns about Dave's secret at the wrong time, rendering his pronouncement into an anti-climactic reveal. That's because Cage is the star, so the apprentice's desperate need to overcome his shortcomings can't upstage Balthazar's second chance at love with Veronica(Monica Belucci). As Dave withstands Morgan's best shot, then, in return, goes on the offensive, the filmmaker needs Becky for corresponding reaction shots, but since "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" never loses focus on the relationship between teacher and student, it's Balthazar's reaction shots that matter. Had Becky witnessed Dave's duel to the death with Morgan(Alice Krige), Baruchel would have stolen the movie away from Cage.… Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful
10
Andy92Aug 19, 2010
I found this an enjoyable movie and definitely worth watching the acting from the cast was good and the storyline was satisfactory. i would definitely recommend the movie to people as i can see no reason why anyone shouldn't enjoy it
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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10
mikebJul 16, 2010
Kind of like harry potter, but without all the tweens.
1 of 1 users found this helpful
9
rileysJul 16, 2010
I saw this movie in the theaters the other day and i really enjoyed it. I though they did a good job with the texuring of action and story. Good movie.
1 of 1 users found this helpful
10
Bullet97Dec 7, 2010
Being a huge fan of Fantasia's Sorcerer's Apprentice segment, Disney, and fantasy comedies, I was eagerly anticipating this movie. When I went into this movie, I had seen the Last Airbender two weeks before, so I was still in a badBeing a huge fan of Fantasia's Sorcerer's Apprentice segment, Disney, and fantasy comedies, I was eagerly anticipating this movie. When I went into this movie, I had seen the Last Airbender two weeks before, so I was still in a bad movie-going mood. But this movie rocked!! The Jerry Bruckheimer-action fantasy kicked all kinds of butt! The action was really cool, the effects were awesome, the cast was great, and it's hilarious!! There's a couple of cliches, but I expected that!! I love this movie!!… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
gina86Aug 17, 2010
Great film. Best this year by far but let's be honest, it's Disney so would you really expect any less???
Great for anyone of any age to enjoy.
10/10.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
FreshTomatoSep 12, 2010
This movie is good, i hope you like it. The movie itself is well made,
special effects are nothing special, is a nice story. My vote is 7.0 , because is a good movie.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
JamesNWAOct 13, 2010
At the start of this film, I wasn't sure if it would be my type of movie but after the first 10 minutes, the film got a lot better and it turned out to be a fantastic film and one that I would watch over and over again. Jay Baruchel wasAt the start of this film, I wasn't sure if it would be my type of movie but after the first 10 minutes, the film got a lot better and it turned out to be a fantastic film and one that I would watch over and over again. Jay Baruchel was fantastic in the lead role and impressed me.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
AlanGJul 16, 2010
This movie is awesome!! Screw the critics!! Its definetly better than Airbender. Bring on the sequels!
9 of 13 users found this helpful
7
AlmasAJul 17, 2010
Entertaining, humorous, romantic.
1 of 2 users found this helpful
8
JoshuaSJul 18, 2010
The effects are breath-taking and Nicolas Cage is such a great actor.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
SteveZ.Jul 19, 2010
Very nice, entertaining but predictable.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
JaredCJul 17, 2010
Without doubt, great.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
kidcoyoteAug 11, 2010
People need to keep in mind this is movie is made by Disney. While I did enjoy the movie for what it was, there where a few things I wish was done differently, first more back story on Nick Cage's character (Bathazar), I found his flashbacksPeople need to keep in mind this is movie is made by Disney. While I did enjoy the movie for what it was, there where a few things I wish was done differently, first more back story on Nick Cage's character (Bathazar), I found his flashbacks and him explaining his past more interesting than anything. Two, NOT EVERY MOVIE NEEDS A LOVE INTEREST, I get it, nerdy boy likes cute girl. Doesn't think he's good enough and wants to impress her. It's been done before. Hey Hollywood not every attractive girl is a sweetheart. This story didn't need her. But hey it's Disney so what do you expect. The love triangle between Bathazar and the villain (I forgot his name) with his love interest (I forget her name too) was more interesting than the kid's. But all in all the movie was a great little distraction. By far not the greatest movie but it did what it set out to do. If your expecting some epic movie like Harry Potter you'll be disappointed. But any average movie goer (not for your cinema snobs) would have fun taking their family for night out.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
xiuyiwangAug 14, 2010
This is one film for which i have to disagree with the critics. It is one of the best movies i have watched this year. It's funny, exciting and bursting with creativity at every turn. Just plain good entertainment. It is probably one movie atThis is one film for which i have to disagree with the critics. It is one of the best movies i have watched this year. It's funny, exciting and bursting with creativity at every turn. Just plain good entertainment. It is probably one movie at which you would probably have to leave your brain outside, but that is actually a good thing. You would be surprised at how much you would enjoy the show if you just keep an open mind… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
gm101Jul 15, 2011
Sure, Jay Baruchel's character may be a border-line annoying character, but after watching Prince of Persia and Inception, two movies that didn't live up to their expectations, it was a relief to finally watch this great action movie. ISure, Jay Baruchel's character may be a border-line annoying character, but after watching Prince of Persia and Inception, two movies that didn't live up to their expectations, it was a relief to finally watch this great action movie. I would've loved to see a sequel, but looking at the box office numbers, that, unfortunately, isn't going to happen.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
Forrestgump1Oct 9, 2010
"The Sorcerer's Apprentice i hate to say , Does not bring the magic & the chemistry between Baruchel and Cage just was not there, also plot development , but Apprentice was also fun , imaginative and dare i say it at times somewhat entertaining" .. B
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
MovieLonely94Oct 31, 2010
an entertaining segment from the animated movie

Rating: 82%
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
VixrementoNov 20, 2010
You don't need to see my faculty identification card...
"I don't need your faculty identification card"
... These are not the droids you're looking for...lol An enjoyable movie that shouldn't be approached as a serious movie (it has magic inYou don't need to see my faculty identification card...
"I don't need your faculty identification card"
...
These are not the droids you're looking for...lol

An enjoyable movie that shouldn't be approached as a serious movie (it has magic in it...it's about magic...it has a magical title - what were you expecting? Predictable, sure - but that doesn't prevent it from being an enjoyable fun movie (and quite frankly it blows the socks off the first two Harry Potter movies!)… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
GhuaNov 21, 2010
Very enjoyable movie despite main character was a bit funny. Good effects, spells were quite spectacular, there was even a car race ;) If you look for something light, I recommend.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
PeaceWalkerMar 12, 2011
BUY THIS! It's an epic movie. Excellent soundtrack, presentation, story and drama. The acting might have been slightly predictable at times but Cage was very good. Overall I'll give it a 10.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
moviegrabbagJun 12, 2011
Being somebody who hasn't read the books I wasn't sure what to make of this film. I am a Nick Cage fan though I have been disappointed with a bunch of his newer movies. Overall though I really felt like this movie kind of got a bum rape. TheBeing somebody who hasn't read the books I wasn't sure what to make of this film. I am a Nick Cage fan though I have been disappointed with a bunch of his newer movies. Overall though I really felt like this movie kind of got a bum rape. The characters are all likable even one of the villains is an extremely fun character. The plot movies along okay even though it kind of peters off at the end into the normal Hollywood ending. If I had seen this in theaters I probably would have been disappointed to drop 10 bucks on it but renting it I really felt satisfied, overall a pretty good watch… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
wormyrugJul 15, 2011
A surprisingly competent performance by jay baruchel who showed remarkable ability with forcing a laugh frok the audience, coupled with a fantastic showing by cage meant this film was a joy to watch. With top class supporting roles by teresaA surprisingly competent performance by jay baruchel who showed remarkable ability with forcing a laugh frok the audience, coupled with a fantastic showing by cage meant this film was a joy to watch. With top class supporting roles by teresa palmer and alfred molina, i truly enjoyed this film although the script was occasionally found lacking and the plot somewhat predictable. Still much better than many of the harry potter movies!… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
julian_zizzleOct 8, 2011
I should say I liked this movie pretty much. It had really nice animations and excitement in it. The girl was very pretty and the musics were astonishing. Really what made me love this movie was the stunning girl and the perfection of music.I should say I liked this movie pretty much. It had really nice animations and excitement in it. The girl was very pretty and the musics were astonishing. Really what made me love this movie was the stunning girl and the perfection of music. Bad thing is that weird starring Canadien dude. i should say, he reminded me of myself with his geekness, :P… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
ZilcellMay 28, 2012
Its not terrible, its just okay. Its got impressive visual effects but the story is particularly hard to follow towards the end. Thats where it suffers the most.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
AquophisDec 28, 2011
Okay, so maybe it has a lot of fantasy cliches, but the main character is so likable you can forget all that. In a time where the "nerd" demographic is increasing so exponentially, a character like this will be very easy for many viewers toOkay, so maybe it has a lot of fantasy cliches, but the main character is so likable you can forget all that. In a time where the "nerd" demographic is increasing so exponentially, a character like this will be very easy for many viewers to relate to.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
Rox22Sep 27, 2013
While I know this movie isn't everyone's cup of tea. I loved it. It has everything I could ever want from a Disney live action movie. Adventure, Drama, comedy great FX.

The back story is a little weak and cliched, but great performancesWhile I know this movie isn't everyone's cup of tea. I loved it. It has everything I could ever want from a Disney live action movie. Adventure, Drama, comedy great FX.

The back story is a little weak and cliched, but great performances from Molina, Baruchel and even Cage.

It is clear this could be more and and times the movie feels like it is rushing itself in the middle. For once, I would say this is where they should have added a few more scenes to show David's progression from Apprentice to full on sorcerer.

Overall:
While it is not the best Disney movie out there, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. I really do feel this movie would have worked better as a TV show than a movie.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
AVTRlover41Aug 12, 2013
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Very enjoyable, in my opinion. Most of the Jerry Bruckheimer/Disney Movies are really good. The gloriously villainous Horvath played by Alfred Molina made the movie for me. Keep the villain roles for Alfred Molina coming. I loved the part that paid tribute to the short in Fantasia. Great overall.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
tiparAug 29, 2018
When twenty minutes are left you start noticing some fatigue but FX and pace are awesome until there.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
FilipeNetoJun 13, 2020
The relationship between the Sorcerer's Apprentice and Disney Studios is quite old. Almost all people has seen, I believe, the famous film whit Mickey Mouse dressed as a wizard, enchanting brooms to do the cleaning without so much effort.The relationship between the Sorcerer's Apprentice and Disney Studios is quite old. Almost all people has seen, I believe, the famous film whit Mickey Mouse dressed as a wizard, enchanting brooms to do the cleaning without so much effort. This time, the studio set aside its famous mouse and decided to create a whole new story around the Apprentice. And the fact is that it was worth it, it resulted in a very interesting film.

Everything takes place in today's New York city, where a millennial magician, a former apprentice of the famous and long-deceased Merlin, looks for the one who will be the mystical heir of his master and the great hope to defeat the powerful and cruel Morgana, imprisoned for centuries but alive and with faithful followers, willing to free her. It turns out that when he finally meets the young man who appears to have all the qualities necessary to be the new Merlin, things get out of control and it becomes necessary to give him intensive training as the duel with Morgana quickly approaches.

Fun and light, this film is basically a fantastic imaginative adventure, very well done. At no time did I feel the film drag or become boring. Although it is a Disney movie it is not an animation and it does not seem very suitable for children. It is not violent or has provocative scenes, but the theme and content are complex and young children are unlikely to understand what they're seeing. For example, does a child, aged six or seven, know what a Tesla coil is? The ending is pretty clear from the beginning, but I still like it. Something predictable but good and consistent is preferable to something unpredictable that doesn't match the rest.

The cast is headed by Nicholas Cage in the role of Balthazar, who is responsible for teaching the new Merlin. He's good but, I don't know why, it looks like a lot of other works from his past. I don't know, I wasn't convinced by his performance. Not to mention that, at times, he just seemed too theatrical. Alfred Molina is a good villain, but he is also affected and theatrical sometimes. Perhaps the fault of this excess of theatricality was the writer, not the actors. Jay Baruchel and Teresa Palmer are the two teen actors in the film and they did their job very well, curiously in a more natural way than their "adult" colleagues, and it seems to me that they created excellent chemistry together. Toby Kebbell also made a good contribution, in a character that is funnier than threatening. Alice Krige and veteran Monica Bellucci also help, in important characters who appear less on the scene.

Technically, the film stands out for its visuals, combining modernity with vintage elements in sets, props and costumes. Cinematography is very good, with a skillful use of light and shadow, good visual effects and CGI, which make magic look real in most cases... although that eagle did not appear to be made of metal. The scene where Baruchel charms brooms to quickly clean his laboratory is copied from classic Disney animation, and worthy of anthology, making the connection between these new film and the classic animation that the studio did more than 70 years ago. The soundtrack has an epic and adventurous sense, works well and fits the final product.… Expand
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8
sebastianaliJul 21, 2019
Muy infravalorada. Posiblemente la mejor película sobre hechiceros de todas. Aunque Morgana pudo haber sido una mejor villana, pero bueno, que se le va a hacer...
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10
DawdlingPoetNov 20, 2021
This is very much a modern day movie but with one scene harking back to the famous sorcerors apprentice scene/section from Disney's classic Fantasia. Fantasia is much more child friendly than this movie in terms of being suitable for youngerThis is very much a modern day movie but with one scene harking back to the famous sorcerors apprentice scene/section from Disney's classic Fantasia. Fantasia is much more child friendly than this movie in terms of being suitable for younger children, this movie I'd imagine would be pretty scary to toddlers and younger children below the age of eight or nine at least - the special effects are quite convincing, with one involving lots of insects (I think they were cockroaches) coming together and forming the villain (a bit like the sort of thing that featured in The Mummy, I suppose, though its not quite as scary as that, I *think* The Mummy is a 12 rate and this film is only rated PG), things like that would have scared me as a very young child.

Away from that issue, the movie itself felt perhaps a little limp, even perhaps forced at the start, after an introduction to the background of Balthazar, his story, the history that paints the scene before we rejoin our reluctant hero in the present day but as it progresses, it becomes more engrossing - yes its very much a fantasy movie, you just have to go with the story but then I really can't lower my score for this movie because of this, I mean obviously the title gives a decent clue as to the type of movie it is and its Disney, plus for its target market I don't think they've gone too far wrong, though I may find it a bit cheesy that there's the inevitable sub-plot with Dave becoming romantically involved with a girl (or desperately trying to, as he's seen as the rather socially awkward out cast, which is the norm for these movies), which again might put off younger kids who'd be bored with such a sub-plot (or think its gross that he likes a girl hehe), eh its the usual Disney fodder I suppose but I felt that overall it was a pretty solid movie, for what it is and most importantly, I was really quite engrossed in the ending, I found it quite entertaining and thought it featured some impressive scenes along the way.

If your familiar with the two National Treasure movies which Nicolas Cage also played a lead role in, then this movie will perhaps seem similar and its not just because Cage appears in it but also because Jon Turteltaub directed all three movies. I would say that as a comparison, in this movie the emphasis is more on Jay Baruchel as Dave than Nicolas Cage as Balthazar. I wonder what it is with New York somehow ending up being the place where there's supposedly so much nasty supernatural activity and the ability to summon up evil just happens to lie dormant? thinking about it, I'm reminded of the Ghostbusters movies which of course were similar, especially i think it was the sequel involving an evil possessed painting and a baby - in this movie the baby is of course love struck and rather unassuming Dave - the good ol' reluctant hero.

There are some fairly fast action scenes and these are what, to me, made the movie - the storyline is perhaps a bit complicated to follow and there are some scenes which break up the faster action scenes, ie dialogue based scenes, which is another reason why I suppose younger children wouldn't necessarily enjoy this movie but its good that there's a balance between plot and visual effects. My favourite scene involves a long car chase which is very engrossing and even features a magic mirror trick, whereby Dave and Balthazar end up in a parallel version of the same road they were on before, only in this one everything is back to front I think, which made for a pretty cool effect seeing all the billboards etc. back to front.

This is a Disney fantasy movie set in modern times (well 2010 anyway), so its pretty much what you'd expect and for that, I can't really fault it, so I'm going to be generous and give it the maximum star score as I felt overall I really quite enjoyed it and although I was perhaps a bit sceptical about the storyline at first, by the end I felt gripped and I certainly thought it was entertaining with some good effects, so I can't really complain, for me its a very good movie of its type.… Expand
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