Race to Witch Mountain (PG)

Apr 8 2009 Pierce Hunt, Surrey Herald

DWAYNE 'The Rock' Johnson takes the lead role in Disney's Race to Witch Mountain, a revamp of the 1975 Escape to Witch Mountain.

Las Vegas taxi driver Jack Bruno (Johnson) is startled when he discovers two awkward teenagers, Sara (AnnaSophia Robb) and Seth (Alexander Ludwig) in the back of his cab. It's soon apparent the brother and sister aren't your average kids.

With the siblings clutching a bag full of cash and requesting a remote drop-off, Jack's suspicions are soon raised. And it's not long before he finds himself in the middle of an epic adventure he can't explain, with the kids unleashing their hidden supernatural powers.

Unfortunately, the potential for a gripping story isn't fulfilled. Instead, we are left gobsmacked at Disney's unbelievably poor-quality special effects, which infuriate, rather than entertain.

Interactions between Jack, Sara and Seth are plausible, but it's when Dr Alex Friedman (Carla Gugino) joins the group that all the initial chemistry stagnates.

Having been axed as an astrophysicist lecturer from her university, Friedman stalks the lecture theatres of UFO conventions delivering her insight of the unknown. But even when she is introduced to the two extraterrestrial teenagers, she doesn't quite muster enough enthusiasm to convince anyone that she's remotely interested.

The plot drags after an alien spaceship and the US government contine to pursue the foursome, but even these supposedly high-tempo scenes fade into obscurity.

You know you're in trouble when you're constantly glancing at your watch during a 98-minute film.

Race to Witch Mountain is instantly forgettable, which is a shame as Dwayne Johnson manages to finally shake off his beefcake image, only to be left fronting a film that fails to deliver the goods.

It may not be the worst film of the year, but it's average at best.