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Movies / On DVD / Race to Witch Mountain
Race to Witch Mountain

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Race to Witch Mountain (2009)

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43 %
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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.

Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for sequences of action and violence, frightening and dangerous situations, and some thematic elements.

Runtime: 1 hr 39 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

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... 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 Bruno, a surly former felon who is trying to stay out of trouble by driving a cab in Las Vegas and who embarks upon the adventure of a lifetime when two teens appear in his taxi and need a ride to (seemingly) the middle of nowhere. He quickly realizes that the mysterious siblings, Sara (AnnaSophia Robb) and Seth (Alexander Ludwig), are far from average--especially when they are pursued by a villain wearing a high-tech suit of armor. With the help of Dr. Alex Friedman (Carla Gugino), the trio travels to Witch Mountain, a secret government outpost in the Nevada desert, with the hopes of evading their pursuers and sending Sara and Seth home--and saving Earth in the process. This latest installment in the Witch Mountain series comes more than 30 years after the release of the first two films, ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN and RETURN FROM WITCH MOUNTAIN. Kim Richards and Ike Eisenmann, who played siblings Tia and Tony in the original films, appear in small but pivotal roles as a waitress and a sheriff. Johnson makes Bruno likable, even though the character barely likes himself. Robb and Ludwig are well cast as the earnest siblings who hold the fate of the world in their hands. Chase scenes abound and special effects that highlight the teens’ special powers are prevalent, but the film remains kid-friendly. Cheech Marin and Garry Marshall make brief cameo appearances. [More]

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, Alexander Ludwig, Carla Gugino

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, Alexander Ludwig, Carla Gugino, Ciaran Hinds, Tom Everett Scott, Christopher Marquette, Cheech Marin, Garry Marshall

Director: Andy Fickman

Director: Andy Fickman
Screenwriter: Andy Fickman, Mark Bomback, Matt Lopez
Producer: Andrew Gunn
Composer: Trevor Rabin
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures

[See More Credits]

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1 - 4 of 11

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Reviews for Race to Witch Mountain

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Bubble View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 >> >|
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Reviews
Tomatometer Critic Review Category
splat
1/5

Christopher Tookey

The result is a disappointingly unadventurous adventure, with characters and events that never involve us.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 17 2009 03:48 AM

Daily Mail [UK]

tomato
3/5

David Edwards

There are decent special effects, and Johnson can play it tough while also being a kid-friendly presence.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 17 2009 03:38 AM

Daily Mirror [UK]

splat
2/5

Anthony Quinn

Cue a not very dazzling chase movie.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 17 2009 02:59 AM

Independent

tomato
3/5

Allan Hunter

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.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 17 2009 02:33 AM

Daily Express

splat
1/5

This surely has to be the last of the series.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 17 2009 02:18 AM

This is London

tomato
3/5

Alistair Harkness

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.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 17 2009 01:41 AM

Scotsman

tomato
3/5

Chris Hewitt (UK)

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.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 09 2009 03:55 AM

Empire Magazine

splat
2/6

Trevor Johnston

It’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.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 09 2009 03:46 AM

Time Out

tomato
3/5

James Christopher

It’s a rattling good chase movie. The young aliens have useful tricks. Johnson is the contractual comic liability. Perfect holiday nonsense.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 09 2009 03:34 AM

Times [UK]

tomato
3/5

Alex Fletcher

Witch Mountain is a full-throttle adventure that features at least half a dozen cracking action sequences, some adult-pleasing comic one-liners.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 09 2009 03:24 AM

Digital Spy

splat
2/5

Tony Horkins

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.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 09 2009 03:14 AM

Total Film

tomato
6/10

Victor Olliver

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.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 09 2009 03:00 AM

Teletext

tomato
6/10

Simon Thompson

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.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 09 2009 03:00 AM

Heart 106.2

tomato
3/5

James White

Race proves a fun, snappy update to a goofy kiddie cult film.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 09 2009 02:32 AM

SFX Magazine

splat
2/5

Matthew Turner

The cast of Race to Witch Mountain do their best, but they're let down by some poor effects and a lazy script.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 09 2009 02:25 AM

ViewLondon

tomato
3/5

Rich Cline

This completely revamped action movie is enjoyably watchable, even though there's not a moment of suspense in its squeaky clean plot.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 09 2009 02:17 AM

Shadows on the Wall

splat

Mike Goodridge

In the tradition of Disney live-action films from the 70s, it's all very low rent.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 12 2009 09:59 AM

Screen International

splat
2/4

Sonny Bunch

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.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 30 2009 12:47 PM

Washington Times

splat

Ryan Cracknell

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.

Full Review Source: | comment 1 Comment | Aug., 15 2009 07:45 AM

Movie Views

tomato
2.5/4

Mike Scott

A reasonably satisfying family film that updates things while staying true to the adventurous, sci-fi spirit of the originals.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 14 2009 07:25 AM

Times-Picayune

 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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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 Opens in new window
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 Opens in new window
"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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