The result is a disappointingly unadventurous adventure, with characters and events that never involve us.
Comment
04/17/09
Race to Witch Mountain (2009)
43
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:138
Fresh:59
Rotten:79
Average Rating:5.1/10
Consensus: Despite the best efforts of a talented cast, Race to Witch Mountain is a tepid reboot that lacks the magic of the original.
Theatrical Release:10-04-2009
Synopsis: Former professional wrestler Dwayne Johnson (aka "The Rock") makes family-friendly fare with director Andy Fickman’s (THE GAME PLAN) sci-fi adventure, RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN. Johnson plays Jack... [More]
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, Alexander Ludwig, Carla Gugino
Director: Andy Fickman
Reviews for Race to Witch Mountain
There are decent special effects, and Johnson can play it tough while also being a kid-friendly presence.
04/17/09
Cue a not very dazzling chase movie.
04/17/09
Family audiences in search of Easter entertainment will not feel disappointed by what is basically one long chase and the film will make a great theme-park ride.
04/17/09
This surely has to be the last of the series.
04/17/09
The pre-Star Wars Disney sci-fi adventure Escape to Witch Mountain gets a 21st-century reboot here, with beefed-up action, hyperactive editing and even a few shout-outs to George Lucas's blockbuster classic thrown into the mix.
04/17/09
An unexpectedly entertaining mixture of good, clean Disney fun with some rather more modern action scenes, lent charm by Johnson’s natural swagger. One of the better family films in a while.
04/09/09
Top CriticIt’s pacy all right, but glib and uninvolving for grown-ups, though perhaps furnished with enough in the way of spaceships, lasers and digital explosions to pacify undemanding little ’uns of an afternoon.
04/09/09
Top CriticIt’s a rattling good chase movie. The young aliens have useful tricks. Johnson is the contractual comic liability. Perfect holiday nonsense.
04/09/09
Top CriticWitch Mountain is a full-throttle adventure that features at least half a dozen cracking action sequences, some adult-pleasing comic one-liners.
04/09/09
Race To Witch Mountain promises sci-fi but ultimately delivers lo-fi. Its themes are predictable and its look generic: this is one Race you may want to sit out.
04/09/09
One minute Seth is solid enough to stop a speeding 4x4, next he's panicking over an approaching UFO. Such cheating robs the film of tension: we need to know limits to start caring.
04/09/09
While this isn’t a bad film, it’s a touch too dry and maybe even a bit too slow for it to be the rush it should be.
04/09/09
Race proves a fun, snappy update to a goofy kiddie cult film.
04/09/09
The cast of Race to Witch Mountain do their best, but they're let down by some poor effects and a lazy script.
04/09/09
This completely revamped action movie is enjoyably watchable, even though there's not a moment of suspense in its squeaky clean plot.
04/09/09
In the tradition of Disney live-action films from the 70s, it's all very low rent.
03/12/09
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.
08/30/09
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.
08/15/09
A reasonably satisfying family film that updates things while staying true to the adventurous, sci-fi spirit of the originals.
08/14/09
Latest News for Race to Witch Mountain
August 03, 2009:
RT on DVD: Race to Witch Mountain, The Soloist, Delgo
We know it's shaping up to be quite a disappointing week for DVD, but we promise at least a little light at the end of the tunnel. If fantasy is your thing, you've got the... More...
March 24, 2009:
Fickman Answers Paramount's Call 
Andy Fickman's dance card continues to fill up: the "Race to Witch Mountain" director just signed on to helm Paramount's adaptation of Sarah Mylnowski's young adult novel "Gimme... More...
March 16, 2009:
Fickman Heads Up Monster Attack Network
"The Game Plan" and "Race to Witch Mountain" director Andy Fickman will continue his family-friendly streak for Disney, where he's just been signed to helm an adaptation of the... More...
March 15, 2009:
Box Office Guru Wrapup: Witch Mountain Races to the Top
This weekend Wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne Johnson became the undisputed heavyweight champion of the North American box office with his Disney adventure film Race to Witch... More...
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