The Sorceror's Apprentice

2 1/2 stars out of 5



This movie is suggested by the animated short from Fantasia, that one that many people know and love. And really that is most of this film's real draw. Except now there is more of a story than just a short. The idea is that Nicholas Cage plays a sorcerer who was one of three of Merlin's closest confidants. Only one of them turned evil and joined with Morgana. Now only the prime Merlinian can stop him and that's where Jay Barucel's character comes in. And then the quest to stop evil while still trying to have a social life kicks in.

This film is exactly what it looks like and tries to be; a fun action adventure movie. It's nothing more. It is from the same team as National Treasure after all. It was never supposed to be anything wonderful. But it is something fun. And obviously it's not believable. But all the same the cast is enjoyable, the special effects pretty good, and it's fun to see how they bring a concept to life in a bigger story. And Alfred Molina works as a pretty darn good villain.

If anything this is the film that most people won't see in theaters just because of ticket prices but will probably rent once it comes out. Because really it is fun to watch. And it's a whole lot better than it looked out to be. And every once in a while some of us just need these ridiculous action adventure movies just for the sake of entertainment so we can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

How To Train Your Dragon

4 stars out of 5



Hiccup is a viking who lives with other vikings on an island. Their island gets ravaged by dragons. The vikings kill the dragons. But not Hiccup. He is a scrawny and skinny lad who is too weak to kill a dragon. And of course his father is the chief. Then one night he manages to shoot down a Night Terror, the most feared and unknown dragon, with a net. He soon finds the dragon, helps fix its broken tail, gives it a name, and befriends, discovering that what vikings think about dragons may not be entirely true.

This is the fun new animated family film from Dreamworks pictures. How To Train Your Dragon packs good animation, good voice acting, and a great story. What seems like a simple idea becomes an epic story full of fun, action, and even a little bit of romance. What is best about this film, though, is how good a job it does at making people laugh. It also brings in moments that will cause the audience to want to cheer and cry as well and possible even have little ones jumping at a couple moments but not enough to give them nightmares.

Part of what I think makes this film work is the main character. He is an underdog and I think it's easy to root for the underdog because most people as the audience have been in the position at least at some point in our lives. Jay Baruchel does a good job voicing Hiccup even if at times we get a little of him in that personality. It still works, especially since everything is animated. Gerard Butler also does a good job as the father who is easy to detest and completely ashamed of his son. And the dragons of course are made a little bit more adorable so as night to frighten the children. It's a well told story and very clever and will entertain both children and adults alike.

There is one more thing I must mention, I didn't see this movie in 3D. In fact, it has come to the point that the advent of film is 3D and I don't think that most movies work in 3D. I was glad to see it in 2D away from all the attempted flash. And even storywise what I expected is what I got. It is based on a kid's book and I'm sure characters at moments could use more development but all in all it was what it promised to be; a funny family friendly film with some good action.