A bullied teen raised by a doting grandmother learns of his magical destiny to protect the mortal world. The Tiger’s Apprentice, adapted from the novels by Laurence Yep, incorporates Chinese mythology and cultural symbols into the standard underdog saves the day narrative. A few surprises elevate a rote script that struggles to differentiate a generic protagonist. We’ve seen this type of character before countless times and frankly done better. That said, the supporting ensemble of shapeshifting critters, an umbrella-toting villain, and slick action scenes add just enough fire to fuel this CGI adventure for children.