Boy, do I like magic! If you do too, then you are in for a treat!

Balthazar (Nicolas Cage) was one of three apprentices to the legendary Merlin, along with Horvath (Alfred Molina). With corruption and greed creeping through their apprentice circle, Balthazar must find the chosen child who will one day beat Morgana, a very powerful and dark sorcerer. After a great deal of time, he finds Dave (Jay Baruchel), a geeky physics buff who is socially impaired. Now Dave must decide whether to take on the great task of becoming Balthazar’s apprentice and learning what he needs to know to beat Morgana and save the world.

Disney, you did it again! This movie was whimsical and majestic. Baruchel has such a likability factor. He’s a real person, rather than some Abercrombie model, and it gives the movie more appeal. I think it’s great for kids to be able to look at a kid like them in a film, who then becomes the hero at the end, rather than some plastic actor you can’t relate to. It was nice to see a film where he gets to be the hero in the end. Plus, the kid cracks me up! Molina plays the villain Horvath very well. His performance was absolutely incredible.

Cage was more tolerable than normal. The problem I have with Cage is that no matter what the role, no matter how you dress him up, he is still Nicolas Cage. He only plays a part one way… just in a different environment and costume. I am still convinced that almost every movie that he has ever been in would be better if they replaced him… Sorry Cage lovers… I’m sure I am going to make people mad with that one.

The special effects were neat to watch. They did a good job of keeping them fun to look at. Sure, they weren’t all believable, but they fit the film. The throw backs to Fantasia were really neat too! There is a cool scene that was significantly influenced from the animated film. Plus, if you stay til the end of the credits you will see Mickey Mouse’s hat from Fantasia… or Merlin’s hat… hmmm…

I don’t want to spoil too much, so I will leave you with this… Go see this film. Bring the family if you’d like. Either way, you won’t be disappointed!

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars