DVD--The Sorcerer's Apprentice

or: CAGE RAGE!

One word to sum it up: Dire.

You know what's worse than having Nicolas Cage in a movie? Having Nicolas Cage playing a thousand year old sorcerer. Especially when he has a hairstyle that resembles Brad Pitt's beard. I feel kind of sorry for the guy: he hasn't been decent in a decent movie in years; he got out-acted by a 12 year-old girl in Kick-Ass; and his latest, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, was stupidly released on the same weekend as Inception in America. Of course, it flopped. While The Cage and I don't have a very good relationship, there are still enough merits in The Sorcerer's Apprentice for him to be proud of.

Balthazar Blake (Nicolas Cage) is a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan trying to defend the city from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath (Alfred Molina). Balthazar can't do it alone, so he recruits Dave Stutler (Jay Baruchel), a seemingly average guy who demonstrates hidden potential, as his reluctant protégé. The sorcerer gives his unwilling accomplice a crash course in the art and science of magic, and together, these unlikely partners work to stop the forces of darkness. It'll take all the courage Dave can muster to survive his training, save the city and get the girl as he becomes the sorcerer's apprentice.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice is a full length adaption of a segment in the 1940 classic Disney film Fantasia. Like most remakes, this film can't quite capture the magic, so to speak, and falls into the sad territory of failed Disney live action films. As if we hadn't seen enough CGI 'enhanced' fantasy flicks over the past years. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice adopts the same old plot, with the same old formulaic script. The only thing that stands between it being totally deflated is the occasional laugh, the always funny Cage Rage and some awesome effects. That should be enough to keep the whole family entertained...even if the older ones may find themselves wearily checking the time every few minutes. It's clear that this movie doesn't have a target audience, as it's innuendoes but immature story don't mix too well together. At least there is something for everyone, and there are moments which shine bright.

Jay Baruchel, who is perhaps best known for being Kirk in the raunchy rom-com She's Out of My League, takes the lead role in this one. I wouldn't say he was the best choice for the role, but I also wouldn't go as far as saying that he was awful, like everyone else thinks. I find him really funny, and he adds the certain pizzazz that this movie needs most. Nicolas Cage is, well...Nicolas Cage. He says some things with a little too much passion ("I CAN READ MINDS!" Yeah, great dude), or HE puts emphasis ON all THE wrong WORDS. He's bearable, which is always a good thing. Alfred Molina (An Education) is, as always, spectacular as the villain. Aussie actress Teresa Palmer is cute as the love interest, and serves as the most clichéd part of the film...which somehow works. If it's a family movie you're after, then The Sorcerer's Apprentice is perfectly adequate. However, those who seek for magic in this film will surely be disappointed.



THE VERDICT: Not as fun as a family movie should be, but it isn't terrible. The CGI isn't spellbinding, nor is the storytelling, just give it a little less thought and it will be an enjoyable film.

5/10

DVD--How to Train Your Dragon

or: Animated movies do it again.

One word to sum it up: Delightful.

Sometimes I wonder why animated films are so sucessful with both critics and audiences. I'm fairly certain that animated films do better than the actual live action ones. However, when I look at the evidence (i.e. every movie ever made by PIXAR), it's easy to see why these animated movies are such a hit. They can be as imaginative as they want to be, if they entertain the kids then they can entertain just about anyone, and most of these films are cleverly scripted. Even though I am a little skeptical about animated movies which aren't made by PIXAR, Dreamwork's didn't do a bad job on How to Train Your Dragon, a film which provides futher evidence that animated films are the best entertainment around at the moment.

Long ago up North on the Island of Berk, the young Viking, Hiccup (voiced by Jay Bauchel), wants to join his town's fight against the dragons that continually raid their town. However, his macho father and village leader, Stoik the Vast (Gerard Butler) , will not allow his small, clumsy, but inventive son to do so. Regardless, Hiccup ventures out into battle and downs a mysterious Night Fury dragon with his invention, but can't bring himself to kill it. Instead, Hiccup and the dragon, whom he names Toothless, begin a friendship that would open up both their worlds as the observant boy learns that his people have misjudged dragons. But even as the two each take flight in their own way, they find that they must fight the destruction which is coming for their world.

To be perfectly honest, I was disappointed with How to Train Your Dragon, but I guess that was because this movie was given heaps of hype in it's cinema release, and failed to reach my high expectations. Despite my disappointment, I still absolutely adored the movie, as I do with any other animated flick. From the beginning it is cleverly funny; it seems to use it's intelligence as it's sense of humour, and I really admired that. Because of that trait, the film will obviously be a hit with the older generations too, making this a great watch for the whole family. How to Train Your Dragon follows a very basic formula to a successful childrens film: dazzling action sequences, a great ensemble of funny characters and a message. That formula, like always, works to its advantage.

In the way of voices, How to Train Your Dragon has a lot of charming people making up the wide variety of characters. Sometimes these voices seem a little stiff (particularly Jay Baruchel's), but this barely matters when all the films flaws are covered up by it's instant entertainment and happiness. Seriously, the movie won't fail to make you laugh lots, grin from ear to ear, and keep you entertained for 90 minutes, no matter your age.

THE VERDICT: How to Train Your Dragon is a sweet and ultimately entertaining family film, which is more than capable to give those PIXAR movies a run for their money.

7/10

DVD--She's Out of My League

or: Guys who don't believe in themselves.

One word to sum it up: Cute.

On the surface, you may think that this film has already been done...countless times. While She's Out of My League is no where near original, you may find that it is at least honest. And in no way was it sterotypical. So, sure, it may not be a great movie, but it's at least a bit better then other romantic comedies.

Kirk (Jay Baruchel) is an average Joe who works as a TSA agent at the Pittsburgh airport with his friends. The status quo of his fairly monotonous life ends when he meets Molly (Alice Eve), a smart, kind and gorgeous blonde. Because she's way out of his league (she's a hard 10 and he is but a 5), Kirk knows there's no way on earth she's ever going to fall for him. Or is there...?

I was kinda expecting a raunchy comedy that is similar to other frat-pack films, but it just wasn't there. The film is barely offensive enough to have it's place up with ther comedies like Knocked Up or 40 Year Old Virgin. However, it's kinda good that this film sold itself as a cheap comedy, because had it gone fully romantic then this would have lost all of it's charm.

This could be the first romantic comedy that I have semi-liked this year, because it really isn't that bad. It steers away from stereotypes and instead gives an honest look at love. And flaws. That's what makes it so much better than other films who tackle this topic. Jay Baruchel is good as the lead and is able to make the 5 a lot more loveable than he gives himself credit for. Alice Eve is gorgeous as Molly, and should definitely be getting a few more lead roles coming her way, she's one to watch for the future. Krysten Ritter, last seen in Confessions of a Shopaholic, once again steals the show playing a short-tempered bitch to absolute perfection.



THE VERDICT: It may not be as fun or offensive as it's predecessors, but She's Out of My League knows how to tell love how it sees it, and we all believe.

6/10