Race to Witch Mountain: A Nostalgic Sci-Fi Ride
Jack Bruno (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson), a former mob driver, is trying to live a normal life as a taxi driver in the dazzling city of Las Vegas after serving his time. His ordinary routine takes an unexpected turn when two seemingly otherworldly children, a boy and a girl with striking blonde hair, hop into his cab. They request a ride to a remote location in the Nevada desert, setting the stage for an extraordinary adventure. The trip is anything but smooth – they are pursued by mysterious men in black SUVs and a formidable bio-robot reminiscent of the Predator. It soon becomes clear that these are no ordinary kids; they are aliens on a mission.
“Race to Witch Mountain” delivers exactly what you’d expect: a well-paced, entertaining ride filled with chases, fights, and a descent into a rabbit hole that leads to the secret anti-UFO complex known as “Witch Mountain.” Inside, you’ll find a spaceship controlled by a giant iPod-like interface and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson armed with a table leg, stealthily navigating an abandoned shack. There are few actors who can pull off wielding makeshift weapons with such conviction, and The Rock is undoubtedly at the top of that list.
A Fun, Family-Friendly Adventure
Some might argue that the original “Witch Mountain” from the 70s possessed more subtlety and intelligence. They might point out the film’s tendency to explain rather than converse, often at breakneck speed. Others might find Jack Bruno more reminiscent of a former wrestler-turned-actor than a seasoned taxi driver. However, as is often the case with genre films, the audience’s enjoyment trumps critical nitpicking. A children’s sci-fi movie should prioritize fun, excitement, a touch of scariness, and a satisfying happy ending. “Race to Witch Mountain” delivers on all these fronts.
The villain, as expected, is delightfully cartoonish. Ciarán Hinds, known for his role as Caesar in the “Rome” series, plays a secret counterintelligence bureaucrat tasked with combating the alien threat. He brings the same slyness to the role, evident in his slightly frog-like gaze. Whether it’s beneficial to instill in young viewers the idea that federal officials are often dim-witted, power-hungry careerists is debatable, but that’s not for us to judge.
The Unwavering Taxi Driver
Perhaps the most intriguing character is Jack Bruno himself, a man who embodies the true spirit of dedication to his profession. Once he accepts passengers, he is bound by the terms of service and the ticking meter to take them wherever they need to go, regardless of the obstacles – be they frog-faced bureaucrats, black SUVs, gangster thugs, or extraterrestrials.
If all contracts were honored with such unwavering commitment, we would undoubtedly see more simple, enjoyable genre films, including family-friendly sci-fi adventures like this one.