Race to Witch Mountain (C- or 2/4 stars)
For years, the mysterious Witch Mountain was known as a secret place in the middle of the Nevada desert which harbored unexplained sightings (of a UFO nature). And when a Las Vegas taxi driver finds 2 teens with supernatural powers in his cab, he finds himself thrust into a whirlwind adventure in 'Race to Witch Mountain', directed by Andy Fickman. When they discover that the only chance to save the world (of course) lies in Witch Mountain, the so-called "race" begins. What can I say about this movie? It's OK. The acting? Not great. The special effects? Fine. The story? Laughable. The execution? Average. Very average.
Sara & Seth (AnnaSophia Robb, Alexander Ludwig) are the 2 twin aliens who wind up in Jack Bruno's (Dwayne 'the Rock' Johnson) taxi cab. She can read people's thoughts & elevate objects. He can transmute matter (which comes in very handy during the climax). That said, they're not the best drivers; the reason they're here is that they've crash landed their own spaceship on Earth. Funny enough, it's up to one of Dick Cheney's cronies, Henry Burke (Ciaran Hinds), to catch the alien children as part of a collection of alien artifacts. Big 'ole meanie. Sara & Seth want to get home. But for some inane reason, they need 'The Rock' to drive them around the West & figure out a way to get them back into outer space ...
I mean, Sara & Seth have these uncanny, paranormal abilities to stop (or move) objects. Why they can't stop oncoming cars or help their cause in any other way is beyond me. But I digress. Jack is doing everything he can to help these ... kids (?). But he needs some help; and he gets it from astrophysicist, Alex Friedmen (Carla Gugino). Will she help? Can the three/foursome get to Witch Mountain? What can help them get back home? And more importantly, will they be able to overcome the onslaught that is the government? Will Henry Burke get his way after all? Will these children die in his captivity?
'RtWM' can be seen as 'successful' for several reasons. 1) The opening credits sequence is ultra cool. 2) The film is 93 minutes in length; kids won't get too restless ... neither will their parents. 2) It is brainless. Kids & parents alike won't struggle to understand what's going on ... ever. 3) There is humor to be found intermittently (believe it or not). And I liked when the protagonists attend a UFO convention; where aliens are a normality. 4) Some action/special effects sequences are handled well. And 5) this film's biggest asset is Dwayne Johnson. 'The Rock' is not a good actor. But he's a big, loveable, charismatic lug of a guy.
However, there's not much else in here to praise. The script is flat. Stupid, even. Much of the plot involves people running around or involved in a car chase while action film music thumps you out of your seat. What I honestly felt was that I was watching a live-action amusement park attraction ride onscreen. I'll be shocked if this film isn't the foundation for a Disney ride in the VERY near future. And a side note: why is Carla Gugino suddenly in everything? She's only mildly attractive, & equally mild as an actress. I don't quite get it. When all is said & done, 'RtWM' is a decent family movie. No one will really care what the Hell is going on. But hey, there are cute child actors & 'The Rock' ... all is good. Right?
Sara & Seth (AnnaSophia Robb, Alexander Ludwig) are the 2 twin aliens who wind up in Jack Bruno's (Dwayne 'the Rock' Johnson) taxi cab. She can read people's thoughts & elevate objects. He can transmute matter (which comes in very handy during the climax). That said, they're not the best drivers; the reason they're here is that they've crash landed their own spaceship on Earth. Funny enough, it's up to one of Dick Cheney's cronies, Henry Burke (Ciaran Hinds), to catch the alien children as part of a collection of alien artifacts. Big 'ole meanie. Sara & Seth want to get home. But for some inane reason, they need 'The Rock' to drive them around the West & figure out a way to get them back into outer space ...
I mean, Sara & Seth have these uncanny, paranormal abilities to stop (or move) objects. Why they can't stop oncoming cars or help their cause in any other way is beyond me. But I digress. Jack is doing everything he can to help these ... kids (?). But he needs some help; and he gets it from astrophysicist, Alex Friedmen (Carla Gugino). Will she help? Can the three/foursome get to Witch Mountain? What can help them get back home? And more importantly, will they be able to overcome the onslaught that is the government? Will Henry Burke get his way after all? Will these children die in his captivity?
'RtWM' can be seen as 'successful' for several reasons. 1) The opening credits sequence is ultra cool. 2) The film is 93 minutes in length; kids won't get too restless ... neither will their parents. 2) It is brainless. Kids & parents alike won't struggle to understand what's going on ... ever. 3) There is humor to be found intermittently (believe it or not). And I liked when the protagonists attend a UFO convention; where aliens are a normality. 4) Some action/special effects sequences are handled well. And 5) this film's biggest asset is Dwayne Johnson. 'The Rock' is not a good actor. But he's a big, loveable, charismatic lug of a guy.
However, there's not much else in here to praise. The script is flat. Stupid, even. Much of the plot involves people running around or involved in a car chase while action film music thumps you out of your seat. What I honestly felt was that I was watching a live-action amusement park attraction ride onscreen. I'll be shocked if this film isn't the foundation for a Disney ride in the VERY near future. And a side note: why is Carla Gugino suddenly in everything? She's only mildly attractive, & equally mild as an actress. I don't quite get it. When all is said & done, 'RtWM' is a decent family movie. No one will really care what the Hell is going on. But hey, there are cute child actors & 'The Rock' ... all is good. Right?