At some point, you really have to hand it to Disney. Only Disney could set a feature-length film in the 21st Century at a school of magic and not make a single Harry Potter reference. What do you attribute this to? Arrogance? Ignorance? Flatulence? Well, whatever the cause, Disney thinks we live in a world where the training of young students in the field of magic can be done without invoking Godric Gryffindor, wands, or Lord Voldemort. And this is how Disney jetés from The Sorcerer’s Apprentice to Adam Devine without tripping over Hogwarts. ‘Tis magic indeed.
One big difference between Magic Camp and, say, Harry Potter, is this story is mostly about a teacher, not a student. Hence, Magic Camp plays less like Sorcerer’s Stone and more like School of Rock. The basic premise is once upon a time, Andy (Devine) was a magic prodigy. His rabbit-in-the-hat brought all the ladies to the yard … and by “ladies,” I mean “nobody.” Magic is for nerds – which the film fully acknowledges. Hey, the film even has nerd bullies, which is kinda like being the Pelé of hackysack.
Today, however, Andy drives a cab in Vegas where billboards proudly display his erstwhile protégé and partner (Gillian Jacobs). At this point in the narrative, Jeffrey Tambor shows up to invite Andy back to the Magic Camp where he once thrived, but this time as an instructor. Oh, and Andy draws the noob cabin, where the denizens are outcastes even by Magic Camp standards. This is essentially the same formula as The Bad News Bears. And it tends to work because an audience loves an underdog, even one as mind-numbingly daft as Andy. Hence, everyone is brought to camp to study glitterology and self-promotion. What are the exact disciplines of magic training, anyway? Let me see if I can remember them … Palming, Levitation, Delusion, Three-card Monte, Check Kiting, and –of course- Defense Against the Dark Arts.
While Andy is busy feeding his own ego in order to set up the lesson he needs to learn, we are introduced to the students, who are perhaps a touch more memorable than your standard collection of assorted donuts. The standouts include Isabella Cramp as a girl so obsessed with rabbits she accidentally sets them all free on day 1, Bianca Grava as the only kid who doesn’t want to be at Magic Camp, and Nathaniel McIntyre as a very talented card shark who just wants to be closer to his deceased magic-lovin’ father.
My kid wanted to go to camp once. I told her (jokingly), we would send her to “Chore Camp.” Chore Camp is where the kids go who do all the chores for all the kids at nearby fun camps so they can concentrate on enjoyment instead of pesky self-owning tasks such as cooking and cleaning. I thought about Chore Camp a bunch during Magic Camp…after all, who does cook and clean for the children, and who takes care of their props and their animals?
I was put off by the film’s absolute refusal to name Harry Potter as an influence. I was put off by the fact that Adam Devine is no Jack Black, let alone Walter Matthau. I wasn’t impressed by the six (6!) writers. Geez, how many Disney flunkees does it take to write a film? Furthermore, I was put off by a cheesy premise and a protagonist who takes a while to like, if indeed you ever get there at all – I suppose I should be thankful li’l Adam Devine didn’t magically appear in this film as he is apt to do. However, for all the schmaltz, I did enjoy the stories of the Heart Cabin losers, especially that of Theo (Mcintyre); I dare anyone to sit through his stage performance without displaying emotion. Also, the magic in the film was undeniably cool. Any child viewing Magic Camp will almost certainly wish they knew a magic trick or two by the end of the film. I wished I were better at sleight-of-hand or 52 pick-up or whatever the kids are calling it these days. Hence, reluctantly, I give Magic Camp a pass. It’s not a great film, but it means well and it should appease your children long enough for you to “disappear” for a short spell.
Well, Disney, I will admit with fear
These connivances I continue to jeer
You’ve won the sequester
For another semester
Now can you make COVID disappear?
Rated PG, 100 Minutes
Director: Mark Waters
Writer: Micah Fitzerman-Blue & Noah Harpster and Matt Spicer & Max Winkler and Dan Gregor & Doug Mand
Genre: The prequel story of Siegfried and/or Roy
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: Your magic-obsessed eight-year-old
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: Cynics
