Race to Witch Mountain (PG, 2009)
common sense media says
Sci-fi remake is action packed and intense for a PG film.
parents & educators say
- 38% say violence is an issue
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this new take on Disney's classic Escape to Witch Mountain is scary -- the destruction of the world is at stake, and the main characters are in constant peril. And, for a PG-rated film, it has more violence and intense moments than you might expect. Since the alien villain and government agents are all trying to kill or capture the extraterrestrial teens, the kids are constantly in danger and have to ward off many threats, including explosions and direct gunfire. There's also a little bit of mild flirting between two characters and several product placements. Language is mostly limited to threats like "you're dead."
Educational value:
The movie is intended to entertain, not educate.
Positive role models:
A man selflessly helps kids who are in trouble. But on the other hand, U.S. government officials are depicted as mean and violent. People who believe in UFOs are made fun of but eventually validated in their belief that extraterrestrials exist.
Violence & scariness:
This film is more violent than most PG-rated Disney flicks. Not only is an alien assassin trying to kill the protagonists, but the government operatives are also ready to use deadly force. The scary alien sets fire to places and continuously tries to shoot Sarah, Seth, and pretty much anyone who's in his way. No one looks dead, but obviously the alien's explosions injure people. Sarah also uses her telepathy to set cars on fire or crash them in the street. Characters engage in hand-to-hand fights. The confrontations are loud and frightening, but there's no blood or obvious death.
Sexy stuff:
Two characters flirt, hold hands, and are told by a telepathic alien that they're thinking of each other.
Language:
Mild: Words include "pimped" and threatening language like "you're dead," "deadly force authorized," and "we can make you disappear."
Consumerism:
Product placements include Cadillac Escalade, Chevy Avalanche, Ford Mustang GT, Planet Hollywood, the movie Bullitt, Star Wars stormtroopers, and various hotels on the Las Vegas strip.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Not applicable.
More on Race to Witch Mountain
Watch our review
Review It
Most useful reviews by all members
9001
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
Great movie, not for little kids. 10+
I saw this movie in the theaters, and it was great. It was pretty violent for a PG movie, though. Someone uses the word "p*mped", and two characters flirt.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
Drlrocks
kid, 9 years old
kid, 9 years old
Action PACKED
Some violence. Theres a quick glimpse of an Aliens brain.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
HighPlainsMom
parent of 11 and 13 year old
parent of 11 and 13 year old
A Movie That Adults Will Also Enjoy
I've read all the reviews and almost universally it seems that younger girls reacted more negatively to the action than did the boys. Parents may want to take that into account.
My husband and I watched this with our two sons (9 and 12) and we all thought it was a fun action/thriller. No one was disturbed by the violent content. (For the record, we do not allow Teen games or PG-13 films.)
It can be difficult for us to find age-appropriate movies that don't bore the adults to tears. This film was entertaining for all.
If your children are more sensitive then definitely check out the original Witch Mountain movies.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
love2
parent of 19 year old
parent of 19 year old
should be rated PG-13
there was a lot more intense vilont parts then i thought there would be. And in some parts it actually scared me.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
mommajoanie
parent of and 9 , 11 , 13 year old
parent of and 9 , 11 , 13 year old
PG Rating FRAUDULENT
Do not allow anyone under 12 years old to see this movie that SHOULD have been rated PG-13 AT LEAST for all the excess violence. A great movie for those 12 and older, lots of action and adventure - despite obvious product-placement. I have never let my children watch anything like this before age 12 - but, regretfully, did NOT check the reviews ahead of time. Shame on me for not checking (also trusted Disney, PG, kids movie...) SHAME ON YOU, DISNEY! Shame on those of you letting your young children watch this kind of crap and worse! As an educator, I see first-hand every day the effects of TOO MUCH MEDIA, TOO MUCH VIOLENCE and the OVER-SEXUALIZATION of our children - to the point that NO ONE seems to think ANYTHING IS WRONG! How disgusting...We REAP what we SOW, America!
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
jdelmonte
parent of and 2 , 8 , 11 year old
parent of and 2 , 8 , 11 year old
I was uncomfortable watching hand to hand fighting and gunfire with my nine year old daughter. Although she seems to love action adventure movies, there was entirely too much violence for 8+.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
DarkStorm12
kid, 13 years old
kid, 13 years old
A sci-fi thriller that doesn't deserve the hype.
This movie is just for the fun of it; as advertised "awesome special effects" didn't live up to it's goal, and in some scenes the explosions look plain cheesy. The main character uses unnecessary violence against scientists who don't believe that keeping the kids captive is a good idea. This movie in my opinion was horrible, not much to describe about it.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
12Bows
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
I LOVED IT!!!
I watched this movie with my family recently and I thought that it was really good! There's action and danger everywhere! There aren't really any concerns except for constant violence. Although, It might be scary for some younger children. It's about these alien kids that have come from a different planet to retrieve a very special item. When they landed, their ship was taken and they had to get it back with some help from Jack Bruno, AKA, The Rock. This was a really good movie and I hope that you enjoy it, too!
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
agenta
kid, 10 years old
kid, 10 years old
danger , fight scenes , and shootings but no one is killed characters make threats and scene with bullets everywhere is a little scary
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
annika-zaysha
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
Violent movie with positive messages.
Good movie with a lot of violence. Sarah and Seth have a lot of unusual abilities. Jack is puzzled at first but helps the children to get back to their planet. Think so it's a fine-good movie
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
rebma97
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
It was a fairly entertaining film. The alien teens' powers are pretty cool. Like mentioned earlier, this film does have plenty of violence, however no one gets killed. But if a kid likes action films they may be able to handle this one.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
EspumaMarina
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
Heartfelt and Exciting
This movie was amazing, very good for new Disney. Although I'd recomend it for 10 and up, consittering the siphon is scary looking, and there's some violence, like Jack almost hit a man with a metal pole (but it only reached the car) the siphon tries to kill Seth, Sara, and Jack, but of course fails to do so. The aliens believe in peace though, and only fight when nessisary. Jack cares for the children's safety (even though he's a supposed criminal) and goes along with them and is protective of them. There was a train explosion because of the siphon, but it was meantioned the driver was 'banged up, but alive' It was a very good movie, with a lot of good actors and special affects. The only people that would freak is over protective parents. The movie wont scar a child for life, maybe stun for weak ones, but only stun. The music helped with the mood. I admit Dwayne is a dorky actor, but he's pretty good in some cases. I cant believe those kids (Aliens) could say all of those fancy words in such a fast pace. Parents, dont overreact, praise that Disney made a good movie again! Its becoming a rare case ya know.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
sumiyah
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
i loved the movie it had a lot of action it is abou to alien kids how land on earth so they can save there planet wait i am telling u the movie u should see it for your self it is funny and it has some bad words and fighting
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
bananabob
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
great for most kids 8 and up
it was the best movie I have ever seen. I do think some parts kind of make you jump, but there is not many scary scenes.
I think there is positive messages such as Jack helping Seth and Sarah for no reason and because he protected them no matter what.I also think that even though it has a lot of violence, it really isn't too bad. After all, if it was , I wouldn't have watched it 8 times!
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
oliviana
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
GOOD FOR MOST PEOPLE
This movie is pretty good. The beginning is poorly acted, but the rest is awesome. Some of it is violent, but my three-year-old friend watched it, and thought it was great. It is educational in it's own way, you learn the importance of trusting each other in an interesting sort of way. The messages are positive. And the role models are good. This movie is easy to like and very entertaining. I didn't think I was going to like it, but this is now one of my favorite movies.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
Kassie243
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
Fine for kids who aren't afriad to see people unconscious
The violence can be a little much with guns pointed at heads and a lot of punching... other than that it was one of the best action films Disney ever made! I would go and see it again! unconscious
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
mypikachu123
kid, 13 years old
kid, 13 years old
It's not your classic Disney film.
Race to Witch Mountain is a great film to watch. But even though it's a Disney film, watch out! There is a lot of violence with explosions and people being punched. Also, a UFO shoots laser beams. The role models aren't good. There is the F.B.I that are trying to track down the aliens for research. They have a lot of guns. One of the 'good guys' has a Swiss army knife.
Overall, it's a good film, but it's scary for few, and there's a lot of violence.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
meme103
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
action packed for 8 yr. olds
Adults and kids will love it.the reason it has mild violence for fire and alien type shooting.One of my fav movies.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
friend of ...
parent of and 10 , 13 , 15 year old
parent of and 10 , 13 , 15 year old
Not as bad as some said.
I was really nervous about taking my 8, 11, and 13 year old to see this movie after reading the reviews here. I don't let them play T rated video games and try to limit their violent exposure in movies. However, I thought this movie was o.k. My kids loved it. The 8 year old is a boy and he thought it was great and scoffed at being scared during it. I think they found it exciting.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
MidwestMom
parent of 10 and 20 year old
parent of 10 and 20 year old
Surprisingly violent but kind of fun action-adventure flick
I wish that I'd seen these reviews before I took my 8-year-old daughter to see it. But that said, she really enjoyed it and is going to see it again with her 12-year-old cousin It was far more violent than I expected--but not overwhelmingly so. On the plus side, it's not explicitly sexual and there's no profanity. I reluctantly have to admit that this is an OK action adventure flick for kids who aren't troubled by intense explosions and somewhat gross aliens. I found it boring--don't look for deep characters or plot. It was a tolerable diversion at the $1 theatre during a hot summer night ;-) We usually avoid stuff that's this violent...but it's not awful and has some fun & entertaining moments...
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
An independent voice for families
Advice on the big issues
Already seen it? What do you think?
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
