THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE

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THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE is a live action fantasy adventure about a science nerd who becomes apprentice to a great sorcerer in order to save the world from the evil sorceress who killed Merlin. It was classified ‘PG’ for moderate fantasy violence.

The moderate violence occurs in the film’s clearly established fantastical world where sorcerers and other monsters exist and can use their magic for good or ill. The strongest moments include some threat to characters, such as a scene where a large Chinese dragon comes to life or wolves jump out of a photograph and chase the hero, and some mystical confrontations including the final battle where evil Morgana has her power sucked out of her and appears to disintegrate. There are some fights and battles, including characters throwing plasma balls and flames at each other and being thrown across the screen, and some confrontations between the sorcerers where everyday objects are (eg needles) are controlled and hurled and a tattoo appears to come to life. There is no focus on realistic injury or blood. There is some violence which initially appears more realistic, such as a sorcerer punching an old lady (who is an evil baddie in disguise) and most notably when nice hero Dave and his girlfriend are mugged at knifepoint in an underground station. Although we briefly see the flick knife the threat is only short-lived and Dave uses his magical powers to capture the mugger. There is no glamorisation of realistic or easily accessible weapons.

At ‘PG’ 'Moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed, if justified by its context (for example, history, comedy or fantasy)'. Though some scenes are thrilling and slightly intense, the fantastical context (a world of magic and sorcerery, albeit set in modern New York) for the undetailed violence means that it can be contained at this category. The BBFC Guidelines also require 'the overall tone of a work' to be taken into consideration and it is clear the film presents and enthusiastic, magical view of the world where values such as friendship, trust, loyalty and love are highly valued.

THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE also contains some focus on electrical experiments, and Dave, a physicist, uses electricity and plasma to fight Morgana. These aren’t likely to be imitable and do not involve everyday objects familiar to young children. There is a scene where water splashes some plugs as magical mops dance around Dave’s study but again there is no sell on playing with electricity which young children are ‘likely to copy’. A couple smooch and at one point a sorcerer jumps off a building, briefly alarming a woman who doesn’t know he is magic, but she soon realises he has superpowers is not actually trying to kill himself.