Walt Disney Pictures resurrects one of their time-honored franchises with Race to Witch Mountain, a family-oriented sci-fi adventure that tells the story of two alien visitors (AnnaSophia Robb and Alexander Ludwig) whose search for their spacecraft gets them caught up in an adventure with a cab driver (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) and a UFO specialist (Carla Gugino). As the group races toward the mysterious mountain in the Nevada desert that has mystified scientists and paranormal researchers for
years, the government, gangsters, and an extraterrestrial bounty hunter attempt to prevent them from reaching their intended destination. Should the two planetary travelers fail in recovering their ship, an alien invasion will be launched against the entire planet. The original 1975 picture Escape to Witch Mountain was followed by the sequel Return From Witch Mountain, as well as a 1995 made-for-TV remake. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi
The planet-hopping children have special talents -- telekinesis, telepathy etc. -- although it is the high-wattage lovability of Mr. Rock that's the real superpower on display here.
While the shootouts and sprinting manage to entertain in a decidedly PG fashion, Fickman's little touches stuffed into the corners of the frame lend Race the personality it dearly needs.
Race to Witch Mountain is pretty standard kiddie fare: Cute, precocious children are protected by a world-weary, wisecracking father figure and one-liners abound.
Boring and unoriginal, this new version might have some fancy visuals and a loud soundtrack but they're just a smokescreen for how boring and lifeless the film is.
Two brainiac outer space superteens who can translate dog barks into English, save the universe if not the world with help from The Rock and Watchman's Silk Spectre Gugino, stuck at a UFO expo for true believers. Kid friendly but this trip needed more gas
Compared to the original Escape to Witch Mountain, this one is heavy on the action and light on the emotion. But it still beats the campy/clunky Return to Witch Mountain.
There are no sustained characters of any kind, despite some capable acting talent. There is no believable relationship between the characters. There is no attempt to develop any of the political issues the film touches upon.
In 35 years, people probably will have forgotten 'Race to Witch Mountain' the way my generation has amnesia when it comes to its 1975 predecessor 'Escape to Witch Mountain.'
Was fun and the kids enjoyed it. I think i expected more considering the cast. The kids in this are both going to be good actors at the rate they are going and well it had the Rock.
This sci-fi adventure aims mostly at a young audience and maybe they would even have fun with this. As an adult, there is very little of interest here. The Rock has been more charismatic in films, it feels as if he didn't really want to be there. The plot is rather predictable and far from being a "race". Sure, the
film is fast enough not to get boring but the editing is rather bumpy and the story so full of stereotypes you feel you've seen it all before and much better. Most chances to have a little fun with geek and sci-fi-cliches, for example at the convention, are completely wasted. At least it's over rather quickly.
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