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Race to Witch Mountain
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Race to Witch Mountain (2009) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 65 | slideshow) Videos (see all 24)
Race to Witch Mountain (2009) -- Here's a music video for the movie Race to Witch Mountain.
Race to Witch Mountain (2009) -- This is the TV commercial for Race to Witch Mountain that aired during the 2009 Superbowl.
Race to Witch Mountain (2009) -- Clip: Hidden passage, pre
Race to Witch Mountain (2009) -- Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Race to Witch Mountain.
Race to Witch Mountain (2009) -- Interview: Car stunt

Overview

User Rating:
6.2/10   4,276 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 129% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Andy Fickman
Writers (WGA):
Matt Lopez (screenplay) and
Mark Bomback (screenplay) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for Race to Witch Mountain on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
13 March 2009 (USA) more
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. | full synopsis
Awards:
1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
(184 articles)
Under the Mountain International Movie Trailer
 (From /Film. 13 July 2009, 1:10 PM, PDT)

Universal Targets Asteroids
 (From HollywoodNorthReport.com. 2 July 2009, 8:31 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
A Nutshell Review: Race to Witch Mountain more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Witch Mountain (USA) (working title)
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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 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital | DTS | SDDS

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Just as in the first movie, the key to arriving safely at Witch Mountain is to travel in a Winnebago. more
Goofs:
Errors in geography: In the scene with the RV driving west from Las Vegas to California, the vehicle's shadow is on the south side of the road. In reality, the sun is never far enough north to cast a southern shadow anywhere near Las Vegas. more
Quotes:
[from trailer]
Jack Bruno: That's neat. Real neat.
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Movie Connections:
References Bullitt (1968) more
Soundtrack:
Stars more

FAQ

A Note Regarding Spoilers
Is "Race to Witch Mountain" based on a book?
Will the original Tony and Tia be in "Race to Witch Mountain"?
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33 out of 44 people found the following comment useful:-
A Nutshell Review: Race to Witch Mountain, 14 March 2009
7/10
Author: DICK STEEL from Singapore

If aliens exist, and if they have access to the films made from Earth, they would likely make a mental note to remind themselves that should they visit our planet on terms other than a hostile takeover or annihilation, to avoid landing in the USA at all costs. Hollywood has enough dough to continuously churn out effects laden science-fiction movies, and most of them are big budgeted action fests like Independence Day and Men In Black, which don't exactly paint a good picture of the extra-terrestrials. Aliens who have more benign intent, would be frightened by how trigger happy and violence prone the US is toward illegal aliens, even if popular culture meant the landing zone for extra terrestrials is the USA and not other larger countries.

Race to Witch Mountain being Disney fare means the toning down of practically everything to ensure that it is safe for the entire family to experience together. Dwayne Johnson seems right at home in family friendly flicks like The Game Plan (also directed by Andy Fickman), and I guess his action days on screen will be few and far between, especially when he gets to flaunt his dramatic and comedic flair. Woe is the fan boy like me who have grown up with The Rock, but there's no more people's eyebrow, and we should start to get used to seeing our idol in a different light on celluloid.

Johnson plays a Las Vegas cab driver Jack Bruno who has a colourful past that he tries to bury, in order to earn an honest living to buy his dream Mustang featured in the Steve McQueen movie Bullit. In a confluence of the stars he picks up a scientist who specializes in extra terrestrials, before chancing onto two of them when they boarded his cab without his knowledge. The brother and ssister aliens – Sara (AnnaSophia Robb) and Seth (Alenxander Ludwig) – are here on a noble mission, and are in hot pursuit by the shady government agents led by Henry Burke (Ciaran Hinds) as well as something like a Terminator from many light years away.

This naturally gives rise to your standard set action sequences where we get to see the alien twins exercise their rather innocent demeanour ("they're only kids!") to their advantage, behind which hides the immense powers they possess such as Telepathy and Density manipulation, which I thought was a very cool power to have. Imagine being able to pass through walls, yet having tremendous strength in the form of a road block, literally. AnnaSophia Robb whom I felt did a fantastic job in The Bridge to Terabithia, stars as the female child, and because of her character's ability, she brings forth a more trusting, and empathetic character, in direct contrast to the other alien Seth (The Seeker from The Dark is Rising is all grown up now), who's more direct, commanding, aloof and untrusting of humans in general, no doubt their initial experience was in having their space ship confiscated to Witch Mountain, and being chased for the conduct of experiments.

Carla Gugino, last seen as the aged Silk Spectre in Watchmen, got active only in the last third of the show, which was somewhat of a pity because she shared great chemistry with the rest of the cast, and got involved quite late into the thick of things. But of course if there's any consolation, like how the bits during the end credits would suggest, and depending on the box office results, there might be room for more in a sequel, if it comes.

There are references galore in the film given that there's a science-fiction convention event featured in the movie, and you can't help but also think about the potential for theme park rides with the yellow cab being pursued and pretty banged up. In fact I was wondering each time the cab got put through an action sequence, that it would make for a great 4D ride in Disneyland. You can't help it because it was quite in your face, with the sequences designed in that manner, deliberately or otherwise.

Despite some glaring plot loopholes, Race to Witch Mountain has all the ingredients for a great family outing. The story doesn't try to be more intellectual than it can handle, and doesn't let the special effects run wild and take over everything else. For being such a sentimental fool, the ending also got some brownie points from me, as it's tough not to shed a tear or two given the trials and tribulations from which a solid bond is formed amongst all the characters. Recommended for a family outing, but don't go expecting something out of this world (pun not intended), as everything's pretty formula.

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