Blu Ray Specifications:
Video: 1080 High Definition
Audio: English 5.1 DTS HD
In 1975 Disney released the classic film adaptation of Alexander Keys’ 1968 novel ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN and then RETURN TO WITCH MOUNTAIN a few years later. Recently Disney released the Blu Ray/DVD/Digital Copy of RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN starring Dwayne Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, Alexander Ludwig, Ciarán Hinds and Carla Gugino. From what I gather RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN is not a re-make of the original as much as it is a “re-imagining” of the original. To say that the movie is loosely based on the original would be an accurate assessment.
Jack Bruno is a Las Vegas cab driver who is down on his luck and is striving to stay on the right path of life. His life is changed drastically when two aliens (disguised as teenagers Sara and Seth) enter his taxi. Unbeknownst to Bruno the teens are aliens and they tell him they are willing to pay $15,000 to take them to a certain location. Eventually he finds the teens are indeed aliens trying to find their way back to their spaceship Jack calls on scientist Dr. Alex Friedman to assist him on getting the two safely to their ship. What seems to be an easy trip to a far away place Bruno and Friedman find that the teens are being sought after not only by the U.S. government but an evil alien assassin Siphon. Soon this casual journey becomes an adventure that is high paced and action packed to the breathe taking conclusion.
I thought one of the greatest touches to the film were cameos by the original teenage aliens (Tony and Tia) but now are 30 years older. Overall, I really enjoyed RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN and my children did as well. There are some intense parts to the show that may be frightening for young children but is for the most part a family friendly pic.
The BLU RAY contains the full length movie, “Which Mountain?” a look at some hidden references to the original movie, bloopers and outtakes. The DVD contains the full length movie with extras and also included is a DVD copy that you can load onto your computer and ultimately your iPod or other digital media device. I think Disney is doing it right by making these movies available in all three formats and I personally think this will be the way most movies will be released in the future.
Reviewed by Jeff Holton
