Director: Jon Turteltaub
Run Time: 1 Hour 51 minutes
Rating: PG
The Bouw-Man.
I just can't see blockbuster in this movie's future. Whenever you see a film at the last minute move up its start date by a couple of days (as “Knight and Day did a few weeks back), I always assume there is real concern from everyone involved. However, there are other reasons to be worried. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know about Nic Cage’s financial woes. So, with that in mind, one has to wonder if his film choices are the result of a good script or good payday.
Teaming up with his “National Treasure” director Jon Turteltaub seems like a “no-brainer.” However, Turteltaub's track record is pretty much non-existent beyond the “National Treasure” franchise. Another concern is the trailer to the movie itself. Haven’t we seen too many versions of this over the past year? I see aspects of “The Prince of Persia,” “The Vampire’s Assistant” and “Percy Jackson” wrapped very neatly in the preview. Special effects can only get you so far, I doubt you’ll see something here that you haven’t seen. Which brings me to yet another concern; do you see what opens two days later? Based on the hype, “Inception” seems to have a superior plot and effects to the “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.” So, who will the public give there hard earned money to this weekend? I’m betting on “Inception,” and I think the producers of “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” agree with me.
Prediction.
There’s too much going against this one for it to meet the studio’s high expectations. Due to its inflated budget, this film will likely knock down the creditability of everyone involved. The ticket receipts will seem paltry to what they envisioned from the start. Here’s to $23 million for “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” during its opening weekend. At this point, they’re going to have to be satisfied with that total.
Opening Weekend Gross: $23 Million
Noodles.
The first time I sat in a dark theater and the trailer for Sorceror's Apprentice came on the screen I immediately started chanting to myself, "Please don't suck, please don't suck." At first glance this looks like its right in my wheel house. Its got magic, but unlike Harry Potter (which I love) its got adults or at least an older guy as its protagonist. A friend of mine initially complained that the Potter movies had him tired of "magic" films but this one looks like it could be fun.
You've got a good headliner in Nic Cage who looks like he's having a ball in this movie. Alfred Molina as a bad guy is perfect casting. Plus Jerry Bruckheimer almost guarantees over the top special effects.
Now for the bad part...This movie has so many ways it could go bad its chilling. The trailer is pretty light on plot points, I mean we know its about a kid becoming an apprentice to Cage's Sorceror, but we don't get a real glimpse of the ultimate stakes. There's nothing worse than a great premise being foiled by unambitious storytelling. Heaven forbid any of the characters come off as cheesy or "camp" which could totally take you out of the movie.
Prediction.
Even if this movie is the Citizen Cane of Fantasy pictures I still think the market is a little soft for a huge opening weekend. Opening on Wednesday probably helps but not by much.
Opening Weekend: Gross: $33 Million
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