Race to Witch Mountain (2009)

Director:

Andy Fickman

Writers (WGA):

Matt Lopez (screenplay) and
Mark Bomback (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

13 March 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Family | Fantasy | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

The Race Is On

Plot:

A Las Vegas cabbie enlists the help of a UFO expert to protect two siblings with paranormal powers from the clutches of an organization that wants to use the kids for their nefarious plans.

Plot Keywords:

Las Vegas | Spacecraft | Alien | UFO | Convention

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Dwayne Johnson	...	Jack Bruno
AnnaSophia Robb	...	Sara
Alexander Ludwig	...	Seth
Carla Gugino	...	Dr. Alex Friedman
Ciarán Hinds	...	Henry Burke
Tom Everett Scott	...	Matheson
Chris Marquette	...	Pope
Billy Brown	...	Carson
Garry Marshall	...	Dr. Donald Harlan
Kim Richards	...	Tina
Ike Eisenmann	...	Sheriff Antony
Tom Woodruff Jr.	...	Siphon
Paul Darnell	...	Siphon (Stunt Double)
John Duff	...	Frank
Bob Koherr	...	Marty

Also Known As:

Witch Mountain (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for sequences of action and violence, frightening and dangerous situations, and some thematic elements.

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS | SDDS

Certification:

USA:PG (certificate #45110) | UK:PG | Australia:PG | Singapore:PG | Philippines:G (MTRCB) | Ireland:PG | South Korea:12 | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Finland:K-11 | Hong Kong:IIA | Chile:Y7 | Portugal:M/12 | Brazil:12 | Mexico:A | Argentina:Atp | Peru:PT | Sweden:11 | Japan:G | Netherlands:9

Filming Locations:

Agua Dulce, California, USA

Company:

Walt Disney Pictures

Trivia:

Both Kim Richards and Ike Eisenmann appeared in 1975's Escape to Witch Mountain (1975) and 1978's Return from Witch Mountain (1978). Their character names in this movie are similar to the ones they had in Escape to Witch Mountain. Kim Richards was Tia in Escape, now she's Tina. Ike Eisenman was Tony in Escape, now he's Anthony.

Goofs:

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: When "Jack Bruno"' is driving his taxi to the small country town, at least the two right side wheels are seriously out of alignment and both the front and rear bumpers are damaged. When they leave the town the Taxi wheel alinement's is perfect. Considering the garage mechanic only had one hour to do the repairs and it is very highly unlikely he would have color-coded bumpers for an out-of-town taxi, he would not have had enough time to complete the repairs as listed by Jack Bruno let alone the other repairs as seen as they leave town. However, there is nothing that suggests the mechanic didn't re-align the wheels first thing. It could have been that he started with the most obvious first and then moved to under the hood.

Quotes:

Henry Burke: [Jack steps forward] A brave but empty gesture, Mr. Bruno.
Jack Bruno: They're just kids!

Movie Connections:

Featured in "This Morning: (2009-04-09)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

Stars

Fun movie

Hey, don't believe the downers trashing this movie. It's fun. Non-action stop from beginning to the end. Dwayne Johnson, who finally shed his former wrestling nom de lutre, is a much better actor than people are willing to concede. He has a mobile face and uses his big body well with a lot more expression and ability than some of the other shoot'em up and knock-about action heroes. This film, a remake of the old Disney classics with a CGI uptake and story rewrite, is entertaining, engaging and full of witty little pieces for the watchful viewer. When the alien bad guy gets knocked for a loop and everyone ducks for cover and the 2 UFO-Trekkie-types rejoice, (Wow. Best convention ever!) and the one I liked best, one of the nerd bad guys named Analyst D. Pleasance, for the veteran character actor, Don Pleasance who played the bad guy in the Disney originals. Also, Irish actor, Ciaran Hinds makes a superb Man in Black Suit bureaucrat villain and lovable Cheech Marin as the sleepy mechanic gets his licks in too, albeit in a bit part. The beautiful Carla Gugino comes across as the UFO seeking academic and Director Garry Marshall as the nut case UFOligist makes for good comic relief. The two kids add the mixture with AnnaSophia Robb reminding me of one of my granddaughters and Alexander Ludwigs serious facial expression adding to the fun. I found this film fun from the get-go and recommend it highly.