SCI-FI CHANNEL Magic, mystery, myth meet in special

Ursula K. Le Guin's novels were selected for adaptation to small screen.
By MIKE DUFFY
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
Magical mythical mystery tour, right this way.
Beware of flying dragons, powerful wizards and mystical adventurers. They all have a date with surreal destiny in "Legend of Earthsea," a lavish, supernatural odyssey with a wild imagination that aims to weave an enchanted storytelling spell when it premieres Monday and Tuesday on the Sci-Fi Channel.
Based on a series of award-winning fantasy novels by Ursula K. Le Guin, "Legend of Earthsea" is perhaps best thought of as "Harry Potter Meets Lord of the Rings." It's the colorful tale of a reckless youth named Ged (Shawn Ashmore) who is fated to become the world's greatest sorcerer.
And the world of Earthsea that he inhabits -- a seafaring world of emerald islands and faintly Celtic music -- may remind some of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth or C.S. Lewis' Narnia.
Human story
"Legend of Earthsea," which comes from award-winning producer Robert Halmi Sr. ("Merlin," "Gulliver's Travels" and "Mitch Albom's The Five People You Meet in Heaven"), is filled with the digitalized eye candy of scary beasties and assorted other glossy special effects. But it's a very human story that anchors the aspiring Sci-Fi epic, which also stars Danny Glover as the master wizard Ogion, Isabella Rosellini as the High Priestess Thar and "Smallville" teen queen Kristin Kreuk as the visionary young priestess Tenar. She also has a date with destiny.
But first, Ged must be sent on his quest. He's a rebellious blacksmith's son from a humble rural village who just happens to be blessed with a motherlode of magical powers. Ged's otherworldly quest?
To prepare him for his fateful challenge, Ged is sent off to a wizard college where things go well and then very badly.
But with pluck, a little luck and lots of courage, Ged grapples with demons, falls in love and, yep, saves the world.
Glover is sort of the Obi Wan Kenobe of this adventure. His wizardly Ogion serves as a wise spiritual mentor to Ged, who must endure a whole lotta hardship and then learn important life lessons before he can fulfill his destiny.
Why it works
Designated mystical heartthrob Ashmore, who previously tangled with the supernatural as Bobby Drake (a k a Iceman) in the "X-Men" movies, is a big believer in the storytelling allure of fantasy.
"I think it's real situations but you can push the boundaries. You can really get out there," says the handsome young actor. "And I think 'Legend of Earthsea' does that very well. We've created a real place and real characters with real relationships. But you can just go a little farther."
Now "Legend of Earthsea" sets off on its own quest to entice viewers.