Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Kid-friendly thriller is fun, if lacking in real magic.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
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The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 28 parent reviews
Parents say this movie is a mixed bag; while many enjoy the family-friendly elements like humor and special effects, others find the darker themes and some scenes too scary for younger children. The film encourages themes of self-belief but also faces criticism for its clichés and portrayal of sorcery, resulting in a polarized reception among viewers regarding its appropriateness for kids.
- family fun
- dark themes
- mixed reviews
- special effects
- scary scenes
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 40 kid reviews
What's the Story?
Millennia ago, Morgana le Fay (Alice Krige) attempted to unseat Merlin (James A. Stephens), who managed to fend her off by sending her and the turncoat Maxim Horvath (Alfred Molina) to a prison called a grimhold. Sadly for the sorcerer Balthazar (Nicolas Cage), his magically gifted beloved, Veronica (Monica Bellucci), is trapped in there, too. The goal in THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE is to find Merlin's descendant -- aka the prime Merlinian -- who's the only one who can vanquish Morgana and her minions forever. Balthazar thinks he may have found him once, in the form of an elementary schoolboy named Dave. But it's not until Dave (Jay Baruchel) is in college studying to be a physicist that he's able to finally take on his mission.
Is It Any Good?
Everything and the kitchen sink is in this movie: adventure, mythology, buddy comedy, wizardry, and even romance. All of which leaves the impression that it's engineered -- some would say rigged -- to be a summer blockbuster. Which doesn't mean it's not entertaining, because it certainly is. (How could it not be, given how engineered the whole thing feels?) As in Spider-Man 2, Molina proves brilliant at villainy, balancing smart and sinister at the same time. And Baruchel isn't your average hero, which is a good thing: He's one of a few elements in the movie that has refreshing edge.
One section that does feel inspired? The mops-and-buckets-go-awry sequence inspired by Fantasia, the classic animated feature to which The Sorcerer's Apprentice owes some debt of gratitude. For a moment there, the movie evokes the whimsy and mayhem it could have more wholeheartedly embraced. As the popcorn fare it is now, it's loads of fun -- but it could have been genius.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the film's action scenes. Do movies have to have actual violence to be scary or intense?
Why is Dave reluctant to go for greatness? What does Dave learn from Balthazar? Is theirs a believable friendship, given their differences?
In these types of movies, good typically wins out over evil. Why is that conflict so fascinating to Hollywood?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 14, 2010
- On DVD or streaming : November 30, 2010
- Cast : Alfred Molina , Jay Baruchel , Monica Bellucci , Nicolas Cage
- Director : Jon Turteltaub
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Walt Disney Pictures
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Run time : 121 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : fantasy action violence, some mild rude humor and brief language
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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