Alright, when I first saw previews of this movie, I thought, like most, “Disney sure is beating the dead horse that is ‘Nicholas Cage as an Action Star’.” I wasn’t sold on it, not by a long shot. But, as the trailers persisted, it began to grow on me. So, me and my buddy went to see this in theaters, and I then watched it on DVD. This film isn’t really half bad, so let’s get into it.
This movie begins in the year 740 AD, narrating a story about the powerful wizard Merlin. Merlin, who has trained 3 great sorcerers, is in a battle with a witch who is more evil than any other sorcerer who has ever existed, Morgana. Merlin seems to have the upper hand until one of Merlin’s apprentices, Maxim Horvath, betrays him, allowing Morgana to slay the legendary warlock. Balthazar, another apprentice of Merlin’s, battles Horvath while Morgana attempts to kill Balthazar. She is thwarted by Veronica, another apprentice of Merlin, when Veronica absorbs Morgana’s soul into her own body, protecting her love, Balthazar. The downside is that Morgana is now killing Veronica from the inside, in an attempt to escape. Balthazar grudgingly traps Morgana and, by extension, Veronica in a Grimhold, which is a prison resembling a nesting doll.
After all of this, a still living, and useless, Merlin tells Balthazar that only one person can defeat Morgana: The Prime Merlinian. Giving Balthazar his dragon ring, Merlin informs him that the ring will find the Prime Merlinian, that only one can wear the ring. The narrator then informs us that, over the years, Balthazar has searched the world for the Prime Merlinian, but only meeting evil wizards who try to release Morgana, only to be trapped within the Grimhold, adding multiple layers upon the nesting doll.
Fast-forward 1260 Years: Dave Stutler, a 10 year old boy, is on a field trip with his class when he writes the girl he likes a note asking if she will be his girlfriend. She leaves the note lying on a bench, rather than just giving him the note back, so he can get it. And, as suspected, the note flies off of the bench, sending Dave on a chase through New York City. As he chases this curiously sticky note, he ends up at an antique shop, where the note slips into the mail slot. He enters said shop, in search of this elusive note. He stumbles and knocks several things over, and almost destroys a large vase. Someone catches the vase before it can crash into the floor. Who catches it, you ask? Well, Balthazar, who looks good for someone who is over the age of 1200.
Because of the strange coincidence of this boy finding his way
here because of a note, Balthazar hands Dave a miniature dragon statue. When the statue touches Dave’s hand, it springs to life, wrapping itself around his finger, signifying that he is, indeed, the Prime Merlinian. Balthazar leaves to fetch Dave a spell book, so as to begin his training immediately. Dave accidentally knocks over the Grimhold, which was concealed within the walls of the Antique Shop, releasing Horvath in the process. A battle ensues between Balthazar and Horvath, ending when the vase that was almost knocked over, opens, and captures, both Balthazar and Horvath within it. Dave runs out of the antique shop, which has been set on fire in ensuing battle. His teacher, and students, find him. His teacher yells at him about running off, but he is warning her about entering the shop, fearing that she will perish in the flames. The door opens, exposing that the store is no longer ablaze, and has no traces that anything destructive had happened. His students laugh at him, fading out on a distressed looking Dave.
Fast-forward 10 more Years: The vase has, presumably, been purchased by an older couple when it begins to quake. Then, unexpectedly, Horvath emerges from the container. He picks it up, tossing it out of the couple’s window, trying to destroy it before Balthazar can escape. But, just-in-time, Balthazar escapes. Both Balthazar and Horvath are now on a search for both Dave, and the Grimhold.
Alright, I’m going to be completely honest, I’m not a huge fan of Nicholas Cage. I like the “National Treasure” films, but that’s really about it. But, I will admit that he is excellent in the role of “Balthazar Blake.” Cage has a unique way of delivering lines, and commands respect with his, natural, dead-pan comedy. I really can’t imagine another actor in this role, he has made “Balthazar” his own. Jay Baruchel delivers yet another hilarious, and convincing, performance as “Dave Stutler,” at the age of 20. I am well aware that he, basically, plays the same character in all of his movies, but that doesn’t make him any less great at it. “Veronica Gorloisen” is played by Monica Bellucci. She gives an ok performance, for the little that she appears, but I think is just there for eye-candy. In the “Eye-Candy” department, she receives a “WOW” on a scale of 1 to 10. Another forgettable performance is that of Alice Krige, who is charged with the task of portraying “Morgana le Fay.”
nbsp And then there’s Alfred Molina, who depicts “Maxim Horvath.” What can I say about this man, he is a great actor, period. He’s great as the villain, which he proved as Doctor Octopus in “Spiderman 2,” and reminds us why he is a great actor with his rendition of “Horvath.” I really must admit, for the entirety of the movie, it’s hard to keep a straight face when his name is said. It sounds like they are calling him “Whore Bath,” which makes me giggle. But, maybe I’m just a touch immature.
The movie has some decent special effects, which is to be expected from Disney. The story is ok, but not great. I have trouble seeing the logic that Horvath uses for betraying Merlin, which is that he loved Veronica, but she chose his best friend, Balthazar, instead. Why did Merlin need to die for that? But, this is a movie about wizards, so logic kind of flies out of the window on a broom, doesn’t it? What really makes this movie worth seeing is the performances from Nicholas Cage, Jay Baruchel, and Alfred Molina. This, alone, excuses anything bad that can be said about the movie. Jay Baruchel, I feel, is the standout of the movie, particularly in the final moments of the film. He makes the character extremely relatable, and, by extension, gives you chills when he finally believes in himself. So, I do highly recommend this movie. Go check it out, and enjoy.