Race to Witch Mountain

Rating:

* * *

Verdict:

Heaps of action to keep even the most restless kid firmly planted in their seat.

Race to Witch Mountain

is loosely based on the 1968 young adult sci-fi novel by Alexander Key,

Escape to Witch Mountain

. Disney turned that into a live action classic in 1975, and while this 2009 remake isn't a masterpiece, it's still great family fun.

The story has been refreshed and updated, with ex-wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as Jack Bruno, an ex-crim trying to make an honest living as a taxi driver in Las Vegas.

One morning Jack finds two teenagers in his cab, siblings Sara (Robb) and Seth (Ludwig) who request he drive them out into the desert, into the middle of nowhere. And what a ride it turns out to be. Not only does Jack discover the siblings are aliens with telepathic and telekinetic powers, but they're being chased by Government agents and being pursued by an alien robot assassin.

Jack reluctantly agrees to help Sara and Seth break into a secret Government facility hidden under Witch Mountain to retrieve their spaceship so they can return home - the future of earth depends on it.

The change in title is apt, as this just follows the siblings' dash to the mountain. Johnson does a good job as the underdog hero and provides plenty of laughs. He's not as convincing in the more emotional moments, but his charming, intense young co-stars Ludwig (

The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising

) and AnnaSophia Robb (

Bridge to Terabithia

) happily pick up the slack.

There are moments when the continuity is lacking and though the stunts and special effects are exciting, the sets are more scaled to something you'd see on a quality television show. On balance though,

Race to Witch Mountain

is good, solid wholesome fun that moves at a brisk pace, perfect to keep junior sci-fi enthusiasts entranced.

Francesca Rudkin

Cast:

Dwayne Johnson, Alexander Ludwig, AnnaSophia Robb

Director:

Andy Fickman

Running time:

94 mins

Rating:

PG (low level violence)