Loosely based on Alexander Key's novel Escape to Witch Mountain, Race to Witch Mountain is not so much a remake of the 1975 film Escape to Witch Mountain as an entirely new film based on some key plot points from the former film. When two innocent-looking teens appear in Jack Bruno's (Dwayne Johnson) cab and tell him that "we must travel in that direction," Jack thinks it's a bit strange, but shrugs it off and starts driving. Soon they're being followed and chased off the road, but is it Jack's past catching up with him or something much larger? Sara (AnnaSophia Robb) and Seth (Alexander Ludwig) reluctantly confess that they are aliens from another planet, but Jack refuses to accept their statement until Sara starts moving things with her mind and Seth slips through the body of the car and deflects the SUV that's pursuing them. Sara and Seth tell Jack that they must recover their crashed spaceship in order to save earth from being taken over by aliens, so Jack takes them to see Dr. Alex Friedman (Carla Gugino); a scientist who he met by chance and who believes in the possible existence of extra-terrestrials. While the four are initially wary of one another, Dr. Friedman provides some valuable contacts and they begin trusting one another out of sheer necessity. Soon they're battling secret government agencies, heavily armed personnel, and even a cybernetic Siphon (that looks a lot like a Cylon from Battlestar Galactica) in a desperate attempt to gain access to the heavily fortified Witch Mountain and the crashed spacecraft. Action-packed car chases dominate the film (a bit excessively, in this reviewer's opinion), but the acting and chemistry between actors is good as is the suspense and intrigue. Rated PG due to sequences of action and violence, frightening and dangerous situations, and some thematic elements. (Ages 9 and older) --Tami Horiuchi
Beyond Race to Witch Mountain on Blu-ray 
Race to Witch Mountain on DVD
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Watch the Original Witch Mountain Classics
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| Stills from Race to Witch Mountain (click for larger image)
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 Two Kids, a Wade of Cash, and All Kinds of Trouble |
| Review Date: August 4, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Mark Baker, Santa Clarita, CA United States |
Jack Bruno (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) is a cab driver. He has a shady past but is trying to put all that behind him. It's time for the annual science fiction convention in Las Vegas, which means his cab is filled with weirdos, including Dr. Alex Friedman (Carla Gugino), one of the speakers.
Yet the trouble comes in the forms of two teenagers. Seth (Alexander Ludwig) and Sara (AnnaSophia Robb) appear in his cab at the start of one shift. They offer him a wad of cash and ask to be taken to an undisclosed location. When they arrive, Jack discovers it is an abandoned cabin in the middle of the nowhere. Not wanting to leave them alone, he discovers something he never imagined. Is he in over his head? Can he help Seth and Sara complete their mission?
I hadn't watched the originals growing up, but I did watch them earlier this year to prepare for this one hitting theaters. It turns out it really didn't matter. They could have slapped any name on this and it would have been just as enjoyable. That's not saying they didn't acknowledge their roots. Original Witch Mountain kids Kim Richards and Ike Eisenmann make cameos in a diner scene as Tina and Anthony. There are another couple fun nods to the original.
The movie got going pretty quickly and only increased in intensity from there. Our heroes have several different groups hunting them, so there is never a dull moments. Yet the comic moments are plentiful as well, especially any time Garry Marshall is around as a science fiction writer. And the movie made me truly care for these characters.
The special effects were impressive with several truly mouth dropping moments. The preview pretty much gave those away, but I still loved them. There is plenty of action and stunts, too, which are probably what earned the movie its PG rating. It is intense at times, so kids who frighten easily should steer clear. Every one will enjoy it.
I do have two minor gripes about the movie. The first is a scene that preaches to us about global warming. It feels a little out of place and gratuitous instead of a real part of the film. Secondly, a sub-plot about Jack's past coming back to get him is dropped near the end.
Just so you know, there are a few scenes during the credits you'll want to catch.
Despite the dropped plot point, I had a smile on my face when the movie was over. In fact, I was kind of surprised at just how much I enjoyed it. If you are at all interested in seeing it, do. You'll have a good time with an enjoyable movie. |
You'll Want to Watch it again and again
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| Review Date: September 7, 2009 |
| Reviewer: M. D. Cummings, Kanosh,, Utah United States |
| I was happy to see that Dwayne Johnson was still his "In your Face" character albeit he showed a gentler side as it came to helping the 'at first' arrogant alien children. The Movie isn't too familish, meaning there's plenty of action and the villains are truly villains. We watched Race to Witch Mountain one night and watched it again the next night . . . it's that entertaining. |
Courageous Ethical Behavior Is Its Own Reward!
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| Review Date: March 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Happy Camper, Baltimore, Maryland USA |
Race to Witch Mountain proves Hollywood can make an exciting and intelligent film the whole family can enjoy! You can have plenty of action without nauseating violence! It was also a delight to see a
powerful science fiction story suitable for even small children.
I like the underlying premise that an alien race, with tremendous technological and mental powers, can act in an ethical and selfless fashion. It's also interesting that there can be more than two sides to a story, in this case 4 sides - two factions of aliens and two factions of humans all with different agendas!
This is also a blatantly anti-military, anti-military intelligence and anti-secret government story. Two opposing philosophies are made crystal clear: Might makes right, on one hand; and courageous ethical behavior is its own reward, on the other! I shudder to think what would happen to an extraterrestrial alien if they were ever captured by our government, or any other major power! As silly as this may sound to some people, I really hope an International treaty is ratified and Federal laws are passed giving sentient extraterrestrials legal standing! Otherwise, why would they ever want to risk exposing themselves in this selfish, and violent, world of ours? As one of the arrogant bad guys in Race to Witch Mountain said, "they have no passport, they don't exist, I can do what I want with them!" May that someday not be true!
See: International Environmental Treaty Making and Making Treaties Work: Human Rights, Environment and Arms Control and Courage: The Joy of Living Dangerously and Courage: Portraits of Bravery in the Service of Great Causes
For other great Science Fiction see:Zardoz and Enemy Mine and Fantastic Planet and A.I. - Artificial Intelligence (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition) and Bicentennial Man and Galaxy Quest (Deluxe Edition)
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Better Than Expected
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| Review Date: May 24, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Richard Johnson, USA |
I was pleasantly surprised by Race To Witch Mountain. Good enough storyline, decent acting and good special effects. Cameos of Classic Disney Actors and a director who did not set out to destroy the Originals. That all being said and done allow me to explain why my opinion should count. I not only have seen but own the entire Witch Mountain series consisting of
#1 Escape To Witch Mountain
#2 Return From Witch Mountain
#3 Beyond Witch Mountain
#4 The New Escape To Witch Mountain
#5 The Witch mountain Project
and soon
#6 Race To Witch Mountain
I also own both Escape To Witch Mountain and Return From Witch Mountain by Alexander Key.
I loved the books. The First Disney Classic followed the books very little per usual. The second one follwed closer.
Escape To Witch Mountain I thought was a decent fun and haunting movie when I was a kid. I Loved Return even more. Bette Davis and Christopher Lee were a good team.
Beyond Witch Mountainw as a tv pilot film that brought Tracy Gould and Kirk Cameron (both from Growing Pains) together with Eddie Albert. This movie was boring. Flat out, had to watch it 3 times before finishing. Its only somthing to be owned by sincere collectors. Dosnt follow the movie plotline or the book. Basic dribble.
The New Escape To Witch mountain I hate admitting it exists, let alon that i own it. The stupid Purple light concept was AWFUL. Eric Von Detton could not act and the movie was rotten all the way around.
The Witch Mountain project is a spoof of Blair Witch, very fun 15 minute short that features Ike Eismann and Kim Richards in a tongue in cheek finale. Worth hunting down.
So with the release of Race To Witch Mountain you can see why I was skeptical, 2 really bad films in a row.
What it appears to me is that the writer and director were old Disney Fans. Writing a story that is feesable with todays beliefs and still work in classic cameos and tongue in cheek humor.
They took painstaking care to incorpertae all kinds of Escape to Witch Mountain tribut's in the film right down to an Eddie Albert Record in the background. Kime Richards and Ike Eissman both make Cameo appearnces and as an extra bonus to us Disney fans Meredith Salinger reprised her role as Nattily Sue Gann Reporter in the film. For those of you unaware Merideth was the actress who potrayed Natty in The classic Journey Of Natty Gann. These are some of the fun treats in store for the Witch Mountain Fanatics. The actors are good, carrying off their roles very believably. The writing was good, solid and interesting. The story built and grew and had the Disney ending. For people who are into special effects, they were decent and believable. A family film with somthing for everyone. A true Witch mountain fan should agree with everything I have said. Take a chance and see for yourself.Maybe not a classic, but not a waste of an hour and half. Enjoyable. |
Author Review
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| Review Date: April 20, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Tool Girl, P.A., Maryland usa |
| Excellent movie for families! My children and I went to see it and loved it. Dwayne Johnson made parts of the movie hilarious. We were glad we went and intend on purchasing the movie when it is available. |
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