There are some movies which leave you with more questions than answers. The Sorcerer's Apprentice is one such enigma.
The problem comes when the majority of the questions involve the word "why".
Why, for example, does Nicolas Cage insist on diluting his undoubted talent? For every Leaving Las Vegas, Bad Lieutenant and Kick Ass, there's a Ghost Rider, Wicker Man or Bangkok Dangerous lurking in the corner. And why did someone think it a good idea to butcher a memorable cinematic moment (the Mickey Mouse Sorcerer's Apprentice mop ballet)?
The one area with no questions is the plot. Firmly of the common garden variety. Good and evil battle through time, unlikely hero is the chosen one but doesn't know it, tasked with saving the world, doubts himself, has defining moment, beats the bad guy.
There's also a ridiculous sub-plot of said hero trying to woo a girl instead of the job at hand, namely saving the world from imminent destruction. Focus, people, focus.
Cage brings life to the master wizard Balthazar, but he can sleepwalk through these roles. Alfred Molina as arch nemesis Horvath continues the age old tradition of slightly sinister, yet slightly camp Brit bad guys. These two at least look like they're enjoying dipping into the dressing up box.
Jay Baruchel also keeps a tradition going, to pigeonhole himself by playing the same geek in every outing. Seriously, all of his characters should be called Jay. It would save time.
The negligible plot is ably accompanied by equally clunky dialogue where one liners come thick and fast but are more miss than hit. This means the viewer has no choice but to fall back on the special effects.
Thankfully by uber-producer Jerry Bruckheimer's recent standards they are low key and fairly convincing, most notably during a dragon dance in Chinatown and with some shape- shifting sports cars.
It's just a bit sad then, that they are by far and away the most fun and engaging parts of the film.
