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With The Last Airbender and Twilight: Eclipse behind us, it’s becoming more and more easy to call this summer a relative bust. All that stands between Summer 2010 now and the bowels of history is Christopher Nolan’s Inception, or so you might think. Over the past few weeks I’ve become increasingly interested in the Jerry Bruckheimer produced magic-a-thon The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. And it has nothing to do with Nicolas Cage’s funky hair-do.

There are few things grabbing at me about The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, aside from my interest in seeing a small part of Disney’s Fantasia being translated into a live-action movie. The first is the fact that it isn’t in 3D, a welcomed commodity these days. No post-production 3D means no Last Airbender effect. And no eye strain makes Neil a happy moviegoer. Beyond that, the special effects employed in this John Turtletaub directed film look sleek and impressive. If the story turns out to have pace and dialog that doesn’t send me running for the door, this could very well be one of the surprises of 2010. I’ve come to this conclusion after watching the three new clips below. I would suggest that you do the same.

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice hits theaters July 16th. Here is the official synopsis: Balthazar Blake is a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan trying to defend the city from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath. Balthazar can’t do it alone, so he recruits Dave Stutler, a seemingly average guy who demonstrates hidden potential, as his reluctant protege. The sorcerer gives his unwilling accomplice a crash course in the art and science of magic, and together, these unlikely partners work to stop the forces of darkness. It’ll take all the courage Dave can muster to survive his training, save the city and get the girl as he becomes The Sorceror’s Apprentice.

Final note: That kid in the first video is a spot-on young Jay Baruchel. Give that casting director a raise.