For a kid’s movie, Race to Witch Mountain isn’t bad. It elicited chuckles on the talk-show and TV movie review circuits when it was billed as a “re-imagining” of the 1975 movie classic, Escape to Witch Mountain, but it has its good points. Sure, it is implausible and it has that deja vu feel to it, because it closely follows the basic plot line of several similar movies. But on the plus side, there is the ever-present charisma of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and the likeability of the alien kids, played by AnnaSophia Robb as Sara and Alexander Ludwig as Seth.
Race to Witch Mountain begins when a spacecraft crash-lands on Earth and the two teenage aliens escape capture by Major Henry Burke (Ciaran Hinds) and his military team. The kids find Jack Bruno (Dwayne Johnson), a former criminal working as a Las Vegas cab driver, and ask him to take them out to the middle of nowhere. On the way there, they are pursued by Major Henry Burke, and the children reveal their true identities to a skeptical Bruno. After seeing display’s of the teen’s powers, he comes to believe them. Ultimately he grows to care for them and must face his own fears and his past to save them from both the military and an alien assassin.
Robb is a talented little actress. I have been a fan of hers since 2007’s Bridge to Terabithia. Alexander Ludwig turned in a solid performance, too. And no matter how silly his roles may have sometimes been, I have never seen Dwayne Johnson in a film where he wasn’t bigger than life, and I like that in an action movie character.
“Re-imagining” may just be a clever word for “knock-off,” but if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Race to Witch Mountain delivers, even working original Witch Mountain stars Kim Richards and Ike Eissinmann in with cameo appearances. Richards appears as a waitress and Eisenmann turns in a particularly noteworthy appearance as a small-town sheriff.
As a The Lord of the Rings fan, I have to point out Sala Baker (Sauron, Lurtz, more) was also in Race to Witch Mountain as a stuntman.
Race to Witch Mountain releases on Blu-ray & DVD on August 4th. It is rated PG and is 99 minutes long.
What Happened to Hollywood Last Sunday Night?
The Lord of the Rings Rules the 2004 Oscars The Lord of the Rings Rules! Finding God in The Lord of the Rings Lord of the Rings Runs Rings Around 2002 Oscar Nominees
More Book Reviews!
Visit the Christian Activities Book Store and the Christian Activities Music Store
//–>
