"Return to Witch Mountain" is a 1995 made-for-television movie that serves as a sequel to the 1975 film "Escape to Witch Mountain." The movie follows Tony and Tia Malone, two siblings with extraordinary psychic abilities, who are on a mission to save their kidnapped uncle, Alexander. Throughout their journey, they encounter various challenges and obstacles that test their abilities and determination. The movie introduces a new generation of viewers to the fascinating world of witchcraft and supernatural abilities. It combines elements of fantasy, adventure, and science fiction, making it a captivating watch for both children and adults. The special effects used in the movie have significantly improved compared to the 1975 original.
The special effects used in the movie have significantly improved compared to the 1975 original. "Return to Witch Mountain" also explores themes such as family bonds, the power of belief, and the importance of standing up against evil. The characters face moral dilemmas and must make difficult decisions to protect themselves and their loved ones.
Return from Witch Mountain (1978)
Alien kids with psychic powers, Tony (Ike Eisenmann) and Tia (Kim Richards), come to Los Angeles, California, for a vacation. After he is seen using his powers, Tony is kidnapped by an unscrupulous scientist (Christopher Lee, House of Dracula) and his greedy sidekick (Bette Davis), who want to exploit the boy’s abilities.
Reaction & Thoughts:
“That’s why I like science. They’re always discovering new expensive things.”
Against all expectations, Escape to Witch Mountain (1974) made tons of money for the Walt Disney Corporation. Not entirely unexpected, the studio decided that the success of the 1974 movie demanded a sequel. Malcolm Marmorstein, who had written Disney’s highly popular musical fantasy Pete’s Dragon (1977), came up with Return from Witch Mountain, which I ended up enjoying far more than I anticipated.
The movie continues the saga of extraterrestrial siblings with telekinesis powers, Tony and Tia. While Return from Witch Mountain isn’t as interesting as the somewhat somber Escape to Witch Mountain, the admittedly goofier sequel felt a bit tidier than its predecessor — the story moves along at an entertaining pace.
As he did with Escape to Witch Mountain, director John Hough (The Legend of Hell House) does his darn best to keep things from getting too cute. I was also pleasantly surprised to see that the visual effects were a tad better the second time around. While the optical effects are still nowhere near the level of Mary Poppins (1964), the illusions are good enough. Lalo Schifrin’s (Dirty Harry) music score is good, too.
Additionally, veterans Bette Davis and Christopher Lee inject credibility into many silly situations. Lee is genuinely creepy as the “mad scientist” who wants to use the kids for his own nefarious purposes. It’s as if no one bothered to tell him that this was a Disney flick — Lee’s imposing 6’5″ frame and potent voice tower over all others in the film.
Lee has good rapport with Davis. However, unlike Lee, Davis places her tongue into her cheek — she provides plenty of giggles as Lee’s greedy partner-in-crime. Child actors Ike Eisenmann and Kim Richards are as likable as ever. Character actor Anthony James (Burnt Offerings) has a few good moments as Davis’s shady nephew.
Conclusions & Final Thoughts:
Return from Witch Mountain may not have quite the amount of cheerleaders Escape to Witch Mountain has, but I liked it. The film is light entertainment, but I don’t really see that as a negative. The kids were great, and it was a lot of fun seeing heavyweight champions Bette Davis and Sir Christopher Lee together in a movie aimed at children. Followed by a short-lived TV series. Color, 94 minutes, Rated G.
Bette Davis AND hot mess express Kim Richards in a movie together? That’s almost too much to handle. I love 70s Disney, so much fun and the look of the films of this era are so fake and polished. Love it.
Along the way, they learn the significance of working together and embracing their unique gifts. The cast of the movie includes actors like Christopher Reeve, who portrays Uncle Alexander, and Robert Carradine, who plays the role of Jack Bruno, a cab driver who helps the siblings in their quest. The performances by the actors bring depth and emotion to the story, making the audience empathize with the characters and their struggles. Overall, "Return to Witch Mountain" is an entertaining and engaging movie that combines elements of fantasy and adventure. It is a must-watch for fans of the original film and anyone interested in supernatural stories intertwined with themes of family and bravery. The film's release in 1995 revived interest in the Witch Mountain franchise and paved the way for future adaptations and spin-offs..
Reviews for "The Villains of "Return to Witch Mountain": Exploring Their Motivations"
1. John - 1/5 stars - "I was really excited to watch 'Return to Witch Mountain' as I loved the original movie from 1975. However, I was hugely disappointed with this 1995 version. The plot felt rushed and the characters lacked depth. It seemed like they were just trying to capitalize on the success of the original, rather than create something fresh and engaging. I found myself constantly comparing it to the original and it fell short in every aspect. It's a shame, as I had high hopes for this movie."
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "I found 'Return to Witch Mountain' to be quite underwhelming. The storyline felt convoluted and confusing, making it hard to stay engaged throughout the whole film. The special effects, particularly for a movie made in 1995, were lackluster and failed to create a sense of wonder or magic. Furthermore, the acting felt forced and lacked genuine emotion. Overall, I was disappointed with this movie and would not recommend it to others."
3. Michael - 2/5 stars - "This remake of 'Return to Witch Mountain' failed to capture the charm and nostalgia of the original. The plot felt predictable and the characters lacked depth and development. It seemed like a shallow attempt to cash in on the success of the original without adding anything new or innovative. The special effects were also dated and failed to impress. I wouldn't recommend this movie, especially if you are a fan of the original."
4. Emily - 1/5 stars - "As a fan of the original 'Witch Mountain' movies, I was excited to watch this remake. Unfortunately, it fell flat in every aspect. The storyline was weak, the acting was subpar, and the special effects were unimpressive. It seemed like the filmmakers didn't put much effort into creating a compelling narrative or memorable characters. I was left feeling disappointed and wishing I had watched the original instead."
5. David - 1/5 stars - "I found 'Return to Witch Mountain' to be a major letdown. The plot was unoriginal, the acting was lackluster, and the overall execution felt lazy. The movie lacked the charm and excitement of the original, failing to capture the same magic. The special effects, especially by today's standards, were laughable and failed to create any sense of awe. I would advise skipping this movie and sticking to the 1975 version."