Disney's The Sorcerer's Apprentice: Revved Up and Re-imagined
RSSJoy Fleishhacker
No, it's not Mickey Mouse making mischief while clad in a wizard's robe and pointed hat, but a live-action fantasy motion picture from Disney Studios. The Sorcerer's Apprentice (PG), produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Jon Turteltaub, the creators of the "National Treasure" franchise, casts its spell on movie-goers beginning July 14, 2010. Inspired by the eponymous animated short from Disney's Fantasia (1940), which itself was based on Paul Dukas's late-19th-century symphonic work and a ballad by Goethe, this feature film is set in modern-day Manhattan and encompasses a cast of fully fleshed-out characters, a sweeping good-versus-evil plot, special effects galore, and touches of snarky humor.
Nicolas Cage plays Balthazar Blake, a master sorcerer who is trying to protect the city from his ancient and arch enemy, Maxim Horvath (Alfred Molina). Assisted by a crew of malevolent magic-wielding cohorts, this powerful wizard is determined to put a wicked plot into motion. Meanwhile, Balthazar recruits an apprentice. Dave Stutler (Jay Baruchel, the voice of Hiccup in the recent How to Train Your Dragon), an apparently ordinary college student/science geek, has no clue that he possesses magical abilities. At first skeptical and reluctant to get involved, Dave is soon won over by Balthazar, who gives him a crash course in magic and teaches him to release and control his hidden powers. Gradually, Dave's skills and self-confidence begin to grow, but it will take all of his courage and commitment to help fight the forces of evil, save the city from ruin, and win the heart of his longtime crush Becky (Teresa Palmer).
Kids can visit the official website for a taste of the action and a glimpse at the special effects. The "Video" section spotlights a series of inviting Disney Channel shorts that combine movie clips with chatty commentary from Cage and Baruchel. One of these pairs excerpts from the famed Fantasia broom scene with a look at the motion picture's live-action reinterpretation, forging a pleasing link to the past. A photo gallery, an online game, and other still-in-the-works features are also included.
The Sorcerer's Apprentice: The Junior Novel (Gr 3-7) is available from Disney Press. The book's movie poster cover shows a close-up of an enigmatic-looking Balthazar, a mysterious ring perched prominently on his finger. A prologue sets up the premise of this fantasy world, with the bulk of the narrative being told from Dave's perspective. Scenes of magic and mayhem are clearly described, and the use of dialog adds humor and propels the plot forward. The fast-paced action and crisp writing will please film fans, as will the eight pages of colorful, captioned movie photos.
The Answer Is Yes: The Art and Making of The Sorcerer's Apprentice (Gr 7 Up), a lusciously illustrated volume from Disney Editions, provides a spellbinding look at how the cast and crew brewed up their movie-making magic. The text is well-written and informative, and the cleverly titled chapters cover all of the basics: "Sorcerers" traces the story's interpretation from Goethe and Dukas, to Fantasia, to the current feature film incarnation; "Magicians" introduces the work and artistic approaches of Bruckheimer and Turteltaub; "Conjurers" provides bios of, interviews with, and commentary about the actors; "Manifestations" details the special effects and workings of important scenes (including the broom sequence); and "Alchemy" describes the set and costume design. This fun-to-browse volume is packed with production artwork, set and costume illustrations, behind-the-scenes photos of the cast and crew at work, and dramatic movie stills.
Why not tempt movie enthusiasts with a picture book rendering of this classic tale? Check your shelves for Nancy Willard's lyrical The Sorcerer's Apprentice (Scholastic, 1993), magnificently illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon; versions by Mary Jane Begin (Little, Brown, 2005) and Inga Moore (Macmillan, 1989); and Ted Dewan's imaginative take on the story, featuring an inventor's workshop and a robot apprentice run amok (Doubleday, 1998; all o.p.?). And don't forget to display your copies of Fantasia.
Pub Info
PONTI, James, adapt. The Sorcerer's Apprentice: The Junior Novel. Disney Press. 2010. pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-142312690-4.
SINGER, Michael. The Answer Is Yes: The Art and Making of The Sorcerer's Apprentice. Disney Editions. 2010. Tr $35. ISBN 978-142312903-5.
