THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE

RYAN: I’m bracing myself for the dissonance we’re about to face while discussing Nic Cage’s new movie The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

CAROLINE: As you should. You know I don’t like him and I think this movie looks painful and embarrassing for all involved.

RYAN: But you didn’t see it!

CAROLINE: And I never will.

RYAN: Well, you’re biased against family films and Nic Cage’s film choices so you’re not entitled to your opinion on this movie.

CAROLINE: Excuse you. I’m still entitled to my opinion. But what did you think of it? I know how excited you were for it.

RYAN: I thought it was excellent. And regardless of the fact I keep an open mind to this genre and Nic, I was truly entertained.

CAROLINE: I figured you’d like it since you’re such a die- hard Harry Potter fan.

RYAN: There are some pretty major parallels between the stories, but this one is quintessentially American and still original. And it skews a bit older since the main guy is in his early 20s.

CAROLINE: I’m so annoyed by that actor’s voice though. How has Jay Baruchel entered leading man territory?

RYAN: I adjusted to it, but he is rather dorky. He’s not very leading man material, but it didn’t detract from my appreciation of this movie.

CAROLINE: How was Nic and his horrible wig?

RYAN: He’s really terrific in this. But I feel like he had a great advantage since this was directed by the same man that made all the National Treasure films with him.

CAROLINE: How very Johnny Depp/Tim Burton of them.

RYAN: But he is having a total hair-mergency in this movie.

CAROLINE: [laughs’ Thank you! Yes! It looks awful.

RYAN: But I still have a bit of a crush on him somehow.

CAROLINE: Ew. I so don’t get it.

RYAN: Whatever – aside from a couple, I like all of his movies. Oh! The special effects are incredible. It’s not in 3D but they are outstanding. Like, this one dragon sequence was beyond!

CAROLINE: Ok. Who else is in it?

RYAN: Alfred Molina playing bad so well. And I loved all the actresses who played witches. There’s even a minor plot point about the Salem Witchcraft Trials that was so well done. I loved that part.

CAROLINE: Well, you love that whole Salem history.

RYAN: And the lead girl looks so much like a young Naomi Watts it’s almost creepy – and she happens to be Australian.

CAROLINE: Random. Anything else?

RYAN: I also loved the scene that embodies the moment from Disney’s Fantasia which inspired this film, with all the brooms mopping. That was fantastic.

CAROLINE: I’m so glad you enjoyed it, honey.

— BOTTOM LINE —

RYAN: I really loved this movie and the friends I attended the screening with were split on it. One called it brilliant and the other two were totally not feelin’ it. So it may be hit or miss; but if you tend to like the movies I like, if you’re young at heart and into fantasy, this should be right up your alley.

— RATING —