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Movies / Upcoming / 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.

Australian Rating: PG [See Full Rating] Mild action violence

Runtime: 1 hr 39 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

Australian Theatrical Release:
Apr 15, 2009 Wide

US Box Office: $67,128,202

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; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 >> >|
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This kids’ adventure from Disney is amiable with nice performances.

Full Review Source: At the Movies (Australia) | comment Comment
04/17/09
Margaret Pomeranz
Margaret Pomeranz
At the Movies (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Johnson is effective, at least at first, but is ultimately let down by creaky production and a script that runs out of ideas long before the end, forcing most characters to yell "Watch out!" for the last twenty minutes.

Full Review Source: FILMINK (Australia) | comment Comment
04/03/09
Colin Fraser
Colin Fraser
FILMINK (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A proficiently made sci-fi family adventure, this updated reimagining of Alexander Key's book hits the spot for its target audience plus parents, for whom the charismatic presence of Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson counts for plenty.

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
04/02/09
Louise Keller
Louise Keller
Urban Cinefile
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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: Washington Times | comment Comment
08/30/09
Sonny Bunch
Sonny Bunch
Washington Times

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: Movie Views | comment 1 Comment
08/15/09
Ryan Cracknell
Ryan Cracknell
Movie Views

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

Full Review Source: Times-Picayune | comment Comment
08/14/09
Mike Scott
Mike Scott
Times-Picayune

If it's possible for a movie to be agressively bland, Race to Witch Mountain is that movie. [Blu-ray]

Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews | comment Comment
08/12/09
Peter Canavese
Peter Canavese
Groucho Reviews

...suffers from a pervasively stagnant atmosphere that effectively drains the energy right out of its high-octane moments...

Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | comment Comment
08/07/09
David Nusair
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews

Race with your kids to see it.

Full Review Source: 3BlackChicks Review | comment Comment
08/03/09
Kamal  'The Diva' Larsuel
Kamal 'The Diva' Larsuel
3BlackChicks Review

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.

Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope | comment Comment
06/04/09
Robert Roten
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Orlando Sentinel | comment Comment
05/13/09
Roger Moore
Roger Moore
Orlando Sentinel

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.'

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
05/01/09
Dan Lybarger
Dan Lybarger
eFilmCritic.com
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
04/23/09
Tom Meek
Tom Meek
Boston Phoenix

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

Full Review Source: Daily Mail [UK] | comment Comment
04/17/09
Christopher Tookey
Christopher Tookey
Daily Mail [UK]

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

Full Review Source: Daily Mirror [UK] | comment Comment
04/17/09
David Edwards
David Edwards
Daily Mirror [UK]

Cue a not very dazzling chase movie.

Full Review Source: Independent | comment Comment
04/17/09
Anthony Quinn
Anthony Quinn
Independent

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: Daily Express | comment Comment
04/17/09
Allan Hunter
Allan Hunter
Daily Express

This surely has to be the last of the series.

Full Review Source: This is London | comment Comment
04/17/09
This is London

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: Scotsman | comment Comment
04/17/09
Alistair Harkness
Alistair Harkness
Scotsman

In the long run, one would be advised to walk slowly and sluggishly, not race hurriedly, to the so-called new and improved findings at weak-kneed Witch Mountain.

Full Review Source: Movie Eye | comment Comment
04/16/09
Frank Ochieng
Frank Ochieng
Movie Eye
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian 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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