RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN

ENGLISH - (U) - 12 March 2009 - Adventure/Comedy/Science Fiction
Distributor: Buena Vista
Running time: about 99 mins.
Director: Andy Fickman
Producers: Andrew Gunn, Mario Iscovich, Anne Marie sanderlin
Writers: Andy Fickman, Mark Bomback, Matt Lopez
Casts: Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino, AnnaSophia Robb, Alexander Ludwig, Tom Everett Scott
Plot: A modern re-imagining of its classic 1975 adventure movie "Escape to Witch Mountain," about a pair of siblings, endowed with paranormal powers, who goes on a run from a diabolical group of men who wish to exploit their abilities.

THE VERDICT:

Green Tea says:

WARNING SPOILER! In the re-imagining of the 1970's classic of Witch Mountain, there is some issue to be pointed out here. Taking another, re-imagining it for the other looked to have hurt a bit of the movie in some angle. Dwayne Johnson and the alien kids in this movie may not be enough to please the movie critic circle but sure should have done enough to please the audience.

Jack Bruno (Dwayne Johnson) is a cab driver in Las Vegas. He did like every other normal guy did, to earn a living. Until one day, he met with this two strangers (teenage kids) riding on his cab. However, things change when he began to realize that he is stuck in between of high suspense pursuit from two sides - the alien bounty hunter and some government agent. Jack has to do it all out to ensure the safety of the two friendly visitors.

First of all I would like to strongly say that this is no ordinary kid-pics. The intensity, high chasing drama and some degree of creepiness; this is way from typical kid-pics. Recently we have seen more and more kiddie been moving away from its traditional core into more mature theme of screenplay. This movie proved to be another newer example. The darker themes compared to its original sources are highly appraisal but it would only good for a family outing-type of movie. The pace is fast and the witty dialogue is a standing out. But I failed to notice the humour nature inside the movie. It seems that every time a comedy line appear, it looks unnatural and looks forced.

Long gone the day when The Rock has moved away from wrestling world but to turn professionally in acting. I would say he did another hell good job. He is very charismatic and very lenient towards the characterization. However, the most disappointing of all is perhaps the two teenage alien did not done the good job as Dwayne did. AnnaSophia and Alexander were just unmemorable in this movie.

With the price tag of US$ 25 million, the movie is a low budget one. Therefore, expect the same with the use of special effect in the movie. The bullet stopping part which reminded me of The Matrix style just doesn't work nicely. This is just a pleasant movie but not the terrific one. It's too action for kids but lack of adrenaline for males.

THE RATINGS.....

CAST - 3.5 stars

STORY - 3.0 stars

CINEMATOGRAPHY - 3.5 stars

EFFECTS - 3.0 stars

an overall>> 3.0 stars

GreenTea-O-Meter: 12.9