A Scene from ‘The Sorcerer’s Apprentice’

The third in a trio of midsummer fantasy films expected to match the take at the tills of prior-release “Inception” and “The Last Airbender” sports a title that suspiciously sounds like a discarded Harry Potter series title. But cineastes do get the redoubtable Nicolas Cage instead of the now adult Daniel Radcliffe who the world last heard of doing the full Monty and causing a 10-minute frisson among “Equus” viewers on Broadway. The uncut revelation freaked out not a few Jewish NY critics and cost poor Daniel the chance to win a theatrical acting award... but enough of this digression.

Ten-year-old Dave Stutler (Jay Bruchel), in pursuit of a runaway puppy love note addressed to a similarly pre-adolescent student across Manhattan’s wind-swept streets, chances upon an old curiosity shop that’s more a la J.K. Rowling than Charles Dickens. There he encounters Balthazar Blake (Cage), a leather-clad master wizard who calls him Dave. “Why do you know my name?” the perplexed kid asks, and Balthazar replies, “I can read minds!”

The remark appropriately sets the stage for a roller-coaster ride in pure cinematic mayhem. Balthazar barks that he is “a sorcerer to the 777th degree” who, for 1300 years, has been searching for the “prime Merlinian.” It doesn’t matter if some viewers are unfamiliar with either Merlin or King Arthur, but seasoned cineastes schooled in the legend of the once and future king will be the richer for it. The wizard explains to young Dave that the prime Merlinian is the heir to the long-lost magical powers of Merlin, history’s preeminent magus. Only this messianic magician possesses the wherewithal that could help him vanquish his century-old enemy from the dark side, Maxim Horvath (Alfred Molina).

Behind the victory lies another prize, the love of Balthazar’s life, Veronica (Monica Belluci). But before Dave can become the sorcerer of sorcerers, he must first learn the foundation of the craft from Balthazar: He must be the sorcerer’s apprentice. The understandably uncomprehending Dave, more interested in books and girls, turns down the offer.

Ten years later and Dave, now a young man taking up physics as his major at New York University (NYU), is still in pursuit of his now grown-up puppy love, Becky Barnes (Teresa Palmer). Balthazar is also still in pursuit of Dave. And Horvath and his evil minions are, in turn, now in pursuit not only of Balthazar but also of Dave who they have likewise identified as the prime Merlinian, the sole stumbling block to their dreamed-of domination of NewYork.

Dave steadfastly refuses to become Balthazar’s understudy; his heart is simply not in it. That is to say, until the forces of darkness begin to endanger the object of his affection. In a melange of stunning movie-making magic tricks that include an unprecedented flight at the back of the art deco eagle of New York’s Chrysler building and the accidental albeit spectacular freeing of the witch Morgana Le Fay from her incarceration inside a Russian babushka doll, the heir to Merlin’s throne finally decides to accept Balthazar’s offer. He will start taking lessons in sorcery.

The ensuing Plato-and-Aristotle sequence is in itself worth the price of admission. Astute spectators will immediately sense that something seems to be holding back Dave: The heir to Merlin’s throne owns stupendous powers that even Arthur’s personal magician never had. Only when he discovers and exercises these powers will the sorcerer’s apprentice come of age. That is the central action of this midsummer fantasy which offers an enchanting eye candy or two for everyone in the family, under appropriate parental guidance, of course.

Eye candy galore! For “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” comes from the same team that created “National Treasure” – director Jon Turteltaub and megahits producer Jerry Bruckheimer. Do not lower your expectations. Expect over-the-top effects that include Wall Street’s famous bull sculpture coming to life and running amok amidst a gorgeously filmed Manhattan. Moments like this have become a Turteltaub – Bruckenheimer trademark, as is their choice of “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” leading man Nicolas Cage who cemented his status as favorite family entertainer in “National Treasure” and similar wild-chase capers... after first winning an acting Oscar for “Leaving Las Vegas.”

Turteltaub helmed “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” from Lawrence Konner and Mark Rosenthal’s screenplay. Music director Trevor Rabin provides the requisite ambiance with a resounding score that will keep a few viewers at the edge of their seats. I didn’t get to see who did the visual and other effects, but it wasn’t George Lucas.

“The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” runs for 110 minutes. It is rated PG.

Cristobal Labog has worked as a copywriter for advertising agencies in Manila, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Brussels and Amsterdam. He divides his time between Mandaluyong and Trabzon on the Black Sea. For comments and questions, e-mail crlabog@gmail.com.