Escape from Witch Mountain is a science fiction novel written by Alexander Key. It revolves around the story of two children with supernatural powers who are trying to find their way back home after being pursued by a powerful and sinister organization. The narrative follows Tony and Tia, brother and sister, who possess telepathic and telekinetic abilities. They find themselves living in an orphanage after the death of their adoptive parents. However, they soon discover that their powers make them valuable subjects for a secret government agency known as The Institute. Tony and Tia manage to escape from the orphanage and flee to Witch Mountain, a place their deceased parents had mentioned.
Tony and Tia manage to escape from the orphanage and flee to Witch Mountain, a place their deceased parents had mentioned. They believe that Witch Mountain holds answers about their origins and may be a sanctuary for others like them. However, they are relentlessly pursued by the agents from The Institute, led by a mysterious man named Aristotle Bolt.
Review: Race to Witch Mountain's a Rock-tacular Ride
First they escaped to witch mountain, then they returned; now they're racing back -- with The Rock at the wheel.
Except the aliens in Race to Witch Mountain, a 21st century take two of Disney's 1970s Escape to Witch Mountain, aren't Tony and Tina. They're Seth (Alexander Ludwig) and Sara (Bridge to Terabithia's Anna-Sophia Robb). But keep your eyes peeled for the original duo, as Ike Eisenmann and Kim Richards both play minor parts.
The plot also veers from the John Hough classic, based on the Alexander Key children's book. It's most definitely a race -- not an escape, or a return, or a hike -- to Witch Mountain, the top secret subterranean UFO warehouse and alien autopsy lab of a covert government agency deep in the desert bordering California and Nevada.
Space siblings Seth and Sara, like most novice drivers, not having mastered the finer points of parking (for lack of any other explanation), crash-land their flying saucer in Nevada. Witch Mountain men in black locate not only their ride, but a footprint from which their magic military computers identify Seth and Sara as illegal aliens and commence pursuit.
Children though they may be, Seth and Sara, unlike Tony and Tina, don't have time for an earthly childhood -- so no room on their schedule for telekinetically taunting playground bullies with baseball mitts. Instead, the underage ETs make their entrance by inexplicably materializing in ex-con cabbie Jack Bruno's (Dwayne Johnson) backseat. In Las Vegas, as we're shown and told, a mecca for green-antennaed Space Expo geeks that's truly "like being on another planet."
Not being socialized in human behavior, Seth and Sarah shove a wad of cash in Bruno's face and robotically request he taxi them to a latitude and longitude where they must recover something on which the fate of their planet and ours rests. En route to their middle-of-nowhere destination, a demolition derby chase ensues with a convoy of government agents and inevitably, Bruno discovers he's been driving cosmic wonder twins. (Sara levitates some quarters and he believes.) Despite the danger -- and Seth's distrust of humans -- Jack decides to help the children, eventually enlisting the aid of adorably dorky and determined extraterrestrial expert Dr. Alex Friedman, aka Watchmen's Carla Gugino.
Also adorable and convincingly compassionate as an alien wise beyond her years is Anna-Sophia. Ludwig, not so much. Think a young Dolph Lundgren. But the star of this movie universe is undeniably Dwayne. His cinematic charisma is as big as his biceps. Hard and soft in all the right spots, he's a badass hero with heart, armed with world-weary one-liners and wicked comic timing.
Ride along with it all at race-track speed, and it's a fast and fun family film ride. But don't expect to ooh and aah too much over special effects. They vary from pretty good (an intergalactic Terminator dressed like Darth Vader meets Predator, Seth's Matrix-ish molecule-bending abilities), to pretty cheesy, circa Disney 1970. Think hovering colored lights that look like magic marker on an overhead projector. Were the filmmakers going for retro?
Not nearly as eerie as the original and perhaps not technologically up-to-date, this retake still has the spirit of the '70s original, though thankfully screens less like an LSD flashback, leaving me nightmare-free. (No more harmonica-phobia!). As for the children in the audience, only time will tell .
Grade: B- (B for The Rock's big comic musk-cles)
Grade: B- (B for The Rock's big comic musk-cles)
Throughout their journey, Tony and Tia encounter allies and enemies. They befriend a kindhearted widower named Jason O'Day and his estranged brother, Aristotle Bolt. Together, they help the children evade their pursuers and uncover the truth about their powers and the mountain. As they reach Witch Mountain, they discover that it is indeed a haven for those with supernatural abilities. The mountain conceals a hidden spacecraft, which the children can use to return to their true home – a distant alien planet. They learn that their powers are not unique, but rather inherited from their extraterrestrial parents. In a thrilling climax, Tony and Tia successfully flee from Earth on the spaceship, leaving behind their new friends and embarking on a journey to reunite with their alien family. Escape from Witch Mountain explores themes of identity, family, and the search for belonging. It captivates readers with its combination of science fiction, adventure, and mystery. Key's writing style keeps the readers engaged, as they follow the children's journey to uncover the truth of their origins and their escape from the clutches of The Institute..
Reviews for "The Dark Side of Witch Mountain: Analyzing the Villains of 'Escape from Witch Mountain"
1. John - 1 star
I thought "Escape from Witch Mountain: The Rock" was a complete disappointment. As a fan of the original "Escape from Witch Mountain," I had high hopes for this remake. However, the film fell flat in terms of storytelling and character development. The plot felt forced and lacked the charm and intrigue of the original. The rock, which was supposed to play a central role, felt like an afterthought and added nothing to the overall story. I wouldn't recommend this film to anyone looking for a captivating and nostalgic experience.
2. Emily - 2 stars
I have to admit, I was quite disappointed with "Escape from Witch Mountain: The Rock." The storyline felt rushed and poorly executed. The characters lacked depth, and their interactions felt forced and unnatural. The inclusion of the rock as a magical element seemed random and out of place. I understand the intention of adding a modern twist to the story, but it just didn't work for me. Overall, I found the film to be underwhelming and would not recommend it to others who loved the original "Escape from Witch Mountain."
3. Sarah - 2 stars
"Escape from Witch Mountain: The Rock" fell short of my expectations. The movie had potential, with its updated take on the classic story, but it failed to deliver. The pacing was off, with some scenes dragging on and others feeling rushed. The performances were lackluster, and I found it difficult to connect with any of the characters. The rock, which was supposed to be a pivotal part of the plot, felt like a gimmick rather than a meaningful addition. Overall, the film lacked the magic and charm that made the original "Escape from Witch Mountain" so memorable.