"Race to Witch Mountain" is a good, clean, race (** ½)

By: Ryan Anderson

Posted: 4/21/09

Just when I realized I hadn't seen a remake since "The Last House on the Left". Disney releases one conveniently on the same weekend, March 13. This time the film being remade is 1975's "Escape to Witch Mountain," which, strangely enough, was released a mere 3 years after the original "Last house on the Left". "Escape to Witch Mountain," is centered on a brother and sister duo with mysterious powers that, after being discovered by a millionaire wants to use their powers. They then are chased into the woods near Witch Mountain. This new film revamps that presence for today's audiences.
Instead of the hillbilly type character aiding the kids in the original, this time their savior comes in the form of Jack Bruno (Dwayne Johnson), a driver whose cab Sara (AnnaSophia Robb) and Seth (Alexander Ludwig) show up in the back of. They explain that they're not from this planet. Their ship has crashed, and is consequently being held by the government at a secret facility inside Witch Mountain. Jack complies, taking them to a location inside the dessert, but runs into federal agents on the way. These agents are in pursuit of the kids, taking the place of the eccentric millionaire this time around. They're headed up by Henry Burke (Ciaran Hinds), who will stop at nothing to capture the children, chaos ensues.
Dwayne Johnson really seems to have found his niche in these types of family films. He's someone everyone can trust; navigating the characters through car chases and battles with other-worldly creatures, but never coming across as imposing. Both kids are likeable as well, despite the fact that their characters speak with the vocabulary of computers. Adding to the mix is Carla Gugino who does a good job in her portrayal of Dr. Alex Friedman; a U.F.O. specialist who joins the three along the way. Then again, there isn't that much acting involved, as a majority of the film is simply running away. Still, performances are better than some of the ones we're used to from children's films.
Director Andy Fickman does a decent job here, especially considering his previous endeavors in the industry. Prior to this, Fickman directed a raunchy, R-rated comedy "Who's your Daddy?" (2003) about a teen who inherits a pornography empire, and before that an equally raunchy musical version of cult classic "Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical" (2005). I guess he has had a change of heart since then. But here he shows a talent for shooting action sequences, which this movie has several of.
Overall, "Race to Witch Mountain" proves to be much more tolerable than most kids' fare, mostly because it's constantly moving. Does it compare to the original? Maybe. It's certainly more fun to look at. If not, it's one of the better attempts at recapturing the excitement felt in the 70's and replicating it decades later. The audiences aren't treated to any pretentious attempts at indoctrination, either. Instead what's to be found at the base of Witch Mountain is simply good, clean fun, and that's something everyone can enjoy.