Race to Witch Mountain
Release Date:
March 13, 2009
On the Big Board |
| Position |
Staff |
In Brief |
| 62/82 |
Kelly Metz |
Another needless remake. |
| 117/169 |
Max Braden |
This doesn't have the same family charm as its predecessors (more of just a chase) but it's not as weird either. |
In 1975, Disney introduced the world to the glory of Kim Richards. This child actress was the star of Escape to Witch Mountain, a genteel Disney action story about alien siblings on the run. The film was a success and it spawned a sequel, Return from Witch Mountain, in 1978, the movie that secured my crush on her until 1985 when she showed her boobies in Tuff Turf. The trade-off of innocence for hubba hubba chestiness did wonders for my pubescence, but it was probably the beginning of the end of her film career. Richards was almost completely absent from Hollywood releases again until 2007's Black Snake Moan. In fact, her main claim to fame these days is that her niece is Skank Hall of Famer Paris Hilton. Meanwhile, Disney has been spending the past 25 years lamenting their lost 1970s franchise.
These days, anything that was popular in the 1970s gets re-imagined, so it was only a matter of time before the Witch Mountain constellation returned to Hollywood orbit. And finally, The Rock has come back to Disney for another family-friendly outing. Okay, it hasn't been that long since The Game Plan was a surprise $90 million hit for the studio. It was also only a matter of time before he performed another role wherein his blend of good-natured charm and machismo catchphrases blended well with Disney's next surefire hit storyline. Anyone who has seen the trailer knows that he's perfectly cast as the unlucky cab driver who gives aliens teens a ride, only to be dragged into their police chase. Will the kids manage to get to Witch Mountain before the government intercedes? Of course. It's a Disney film. Even so, Race to Witch Mountain may not offer any surprises, but it should prove to be a feel good hit that approaches or perhaps even surpasses the box office of The Game Plan. (David Mumpower/BOP)
Vital statistics for Race to Witch Mountain |
| Main Cast |
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Carla Gugino, Garry Marshall |
| Supporting Cast |
Alexander Ludwig, Annasophia Robb, Kim Richards, Ike Eisenmann, Tom Everett Scott, Chris Marquette, Billy Brown, Cheech Marin |
| Director |
Andy Fickman |
| Screenwriter |
Matt Lopez |
| Distributor |
Walt Disney Pictures |
| Screen Count |
3,187 |
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Talent in red has entry in The Big Picture |
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