“Race to Witch Mountain” is a thrilling ride with loads of fun. Dwayne Johnson plays cab driver Jack Bruno who, despite his past prison time, is a soft-hearted guy who finds himself getting into deep waters when he helps out two teens who just happen to be aliens. Johnson seems to fill these good guy roles nicely, as he did in his previous big hit “The Game Plan”, which also received our Dove “Family-Approved” Seal. AnnaSophia Robb (“Bridge To Terabithia”) does a nice job as Sara, as does Alexander Ludwig who plays her companion Seth. To top it off, Ciaran Hinds does a credible job as a government official with an attitude who is determined to capture the two young extraterrestrials.

The special effects are dazzling and there is plenty of action to boot. The film certainly displays an homage to Steven Spielberg’s “E.T.” as good-guy Jack Bruno attempts to help the teens make it to their spaceship for a vitally important return to their own world. Interestingly enough, Kim Richards plays a waitress in the film, and she was in Disney’s original “Escape to Witch Mountain” and “Return from Witch Mountain” movies as was the sheriff in this film, Ike Eisenmann. This movie does have several shooting scenes and some scenes of violence, but there is not much blood in comparison and it does not cross our line of acceptability. An alien assassin has been sent to stop the alien kids and their mission. The film has great themes including helping others, not judging too quickly, and the idea of forming bonds with the most unlikely people. We are pleased to award our Dove “Family-Approved” Seal to this film. Race to the movies and enjoy Witch Mountain with your family and, by the way, it is just a name. There is no witch in the movie. Just a good time waiting to be had.