Race to Witch Mountain
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Rated: PG
Release Date: 3/13/2009
Running Time: 1 hour, 39 minutes
Jack Bruno has seen some pretty weird things in his time; after all, he is a cab driver in Las Vegas, a former member of the mob, and a reformed convict! Still, not much could have prepared him for the two teenagers who appear in the backseat of his cab and hire him to take them on a long trip to Witch Mountain. It isn’t long before Jack discovers that his two customers are actually alien kids on a mission to save the world from impending doom. In order to do this, they must get to the spaceship they accidentally crashed on Witch Mountain before it’s too late—while avoiding government agents who want to do scientific experiments on them and a cyborg from another planet that just wants them dead. Good thing these alien kids have superpowers . . . and Jack Bruno has a sense of humor . . .
What I liked about this movie:
Amid the noise of crashing cars and stuff blowing up, there were a couple of thought-provoking moments:
When Jack discovers that his passengers are aliens from outer space, he responds, “You don’t look like aliens.” When the kids ask him what he thinks aliens look like, Jack sheepishly admits that he would expect aliens to look like little green people with antennas and laser guns. As I watched this part of the movie, I thought about the fact that things aren’t always what they seem. When we think of Satan, most of the time we think of a red guy with horns and a pitchfork—or something dark and frightening. We forget that he was once a beautiful angel who lived in the presence of God and that he still sometimes pretends to be an angel of light, according to 2 Corinthians 11:14. So, while we may expect evil to look scary or depressing, sometimes evil appears beautiful, enticing, and rational. We have to be connected with God so we can tell the difference between evil pretending to be truth or beauty, and real truth or beauty.
Some Christians believe that demons (Satan’s angels) actually disguise themselves as aliens in order to deceive people. While I don’t have specific proof from the Bible that this happens, I do know:
1. Satan and his angels have the ability to appear in different forms, such as a snake (see Genesis 3) or an angel of light (see 2 Corinthians 11:14), so no doubt they could also appear as thin translucent creatures with big heads and big eyes—or whatever image people have of “aliens.”
2. Satan and his angels were banished from heaven and sent to earth several thousand years ago (see Revelation 12:7-9), so technically you could call that an “alien invasion.” It has been Satan’s purpose since the beginning to fool God’s people into believing lies (see Genesis 3), so it’s certainly possible that he could use amazing signs and wonders (like UFOs and crop circles) to try to deceive people now (see Matthew 24:24).
Fortunately, we don’t have to be afraid of Satan or his angels, because God has limited their ability. When it comes to interacting with God’s people, Satan is on a pretty tight leash.
At one point in the movie, Jack realizes that the task he’s gotten himself into is way over his head. After dodging laser beams and surviving car crashes, he finally says to the kids, “You need someone from NASA or the Air Force, not me!” It reminded me of so many people in the Bible who were called by God and said the same kind of thing. Moses: “I can’t talk very well.” Gideon: “I come from the smallest family in the weakest clan!” Jonah: “Ticket for one to Tarshish, please.” OK, so I’m using some creative license, but you get the idea. The difference between Jack in the movie and the people God calls is that God’s people don’t have to rely on their own intelligence and strength to accomplish what they’re called to do—they have an all-knowing, all-powerful God protecting them and working through them.
The characters in the movie wore their seatbelts! They get kudos from me for that. (Hey, I’m trying to look for positive things to say here!)
What concerned me about this movie:
For the record, even though the name of the movie is Race to Witch Mountain, it has absolutely nothing to do with witches. It does, however, have everything to do with the world’s ideas of aliens from outer space—ideas that don’t match up with what we understand from the Bible. I’m excited for the day when we can see what real outer space aliens look like . . . you know, the creatures God made that don’t live on this earth. I’m fascinated by John’s description of the creatures around God’s throne in Revelation 4:6-11. Check it out . . . it’s pretty cool.
This movie feels like one really, really long action sequence with lots of things blowing up and crashing. There’s also a lot of “battling.” Jack’s response to everything is violence. (Did you expect anything less from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, former pro wrestler?) Sure, he’s a tough guy on the outside and a big softie on the inside, but he seems to answer every challenge with his fists. At one point he reaches into his car and takes out a broken table leg to use as a weapon, which is somewhat comical since the audience knows it’s useless against alien forces. The Bible tells us that what we’re fighting against isn’t flesh and blood, either (Ephesians 6:12). We’re actually struggling against the powers of this dark world. Those “powers” are much bigger than our human strength—which is why we are safe only through God’s loving protection of us.
Along with the action violence, there is some suspense and an “assassin” cyborg that is a little scary.
If you’re drawn to this movie because of the special effects you saw in the previews, I can tell you that they pretty much gave away all the cool special effects in the movie trailer.
While I’m not making recommendations for whether or not you should see this movie (that’s for you and your parents to decide!), here are some “thinking” questions:
1. Since we all know from the Bible that the Hollywood version of an alien invasion will never happen, what’s the problem with watching a movie about it? Is it even a problem? What do you think God thinks about this kind of entertainment? What verses from the Bible help you form your opinion on this?
2. Speaking of violence, in many places in the Bible we find that God commands His people to kill, or He threatens to kill (see Numbers 15:32-36; Numbers 25:4; Ezekiel 29:8; Amos 2:3). What does God really think about violence? Check out Genesis 6:13; Psalm 11:5; Isaiah 53:9 (a prophecy about Jesus); Ezekiel 12:19.
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Comments
Nickname: viper70x7
@deedeee11111 yur comment at the top is totally wrong. the only part where the word witch is mentioned is in the name of the mountain, Witch Mountain, where there's a government base.
Nickname: jellymonkey
this movie is somewhat true aliens do exist...theyre angels
Nickname: deedeee11111
this movie is not for godly people because it is talking about wicths.if you loved god you wouldnt be watching this movie.
Nickname: SabverToothTiiger
I won't watch that movie because it is fiction, and a prophet of God, Ellen G. White, said that if the children and youth start reading(which applies to movies just as well) fiction then there will soon be a desire for more, and then soon there will be no desire for truth and God and the Bible.
Here is 1 example of a quote about this subject that she said:
Our youth and children, and even those of mature age, should firmly pledge themselves to abstain from indulgence in reading the fascinating novels and sensational literature of the day. They delude the imagination, and fill the mind with such an amount of trash that there is no room for storing the sacred utterances of the prophets and apostles, who wrote as they were moved upon by the Holy Spirit.
literatcher, novels, and books So what she said about this subject can just as well apply to movies. If anyone wants to reasearch this subject out some more, type in on your computer, "ellen white esate" Click on that si
Nickname: hanhan
It was so great but i have to say some things did go against God, but as long as you don't follow what they do in the movie your fine.
Nickname: Emmy4Christ
I have never seen this movie, but now that I know that it doesn't involve a lot of magic (sort of), I would kinda like to watch it sometime. Although I now know it would be something not too bad, I also would not want to be exposed to any false pretenses.
Nickname: alli
i have a question...would jesus watch this movie? i dont think so and that is why i dont want to watch it cause jesus is our example.
Nickname: n/a
I thought it was good but know I'll never watch it thank you for telling me that
Nickname: lily
i might watch it,PLEASE DO A REVIEW ON "KNOWING"
Nickname: GodslittleAngel
I would want to watch this movie but, my mom says that she doesn't like the idea of 'Race to Witch Mountain' as a title. Plus, she doesn't like the theme about how it is based on two 'aliens'. When it first advertised on TV I was like, "Hey I would really want to what this." but then my mom reminded me about the facts. First there is no such things as aliens and even if it looks innocent, there is somethings that would concern me personally. Second, the thoughts of 'powers' didn't sound like a movie that I would want to watch over and over and over again. My conclusion, I would probably watch it once or twice then make my better judgment! :)
Nickname: natedagreat
this was a good movie so u should stop hating and rite reviews a week after.NOT A MONTH
Nickname: commercialpreviewer
i dont want 2 watch the movie. especially now that i saw the review.
Nickname: chipmunk
i saw this movie and i agree with everything u said melanie.
Nickname: Jesusandjazz101
Well I want 2 know about the movie down of the Dinosaurs. My friend and I were thinking about going 2 watch it. I don't know, but the commercials don't give away what it's about.
Nickname: pianoplayer52
i want to see this! could you do a reveiw on baby mama? i just want to know your oppion! thnx
Nickname: ktll
this movie with the special efects is the most scary and dramatic movie of the 21st century. It has a lesson that we all learn over time and time again.
Nickname: ken
My dad is a pastor so im strictly supervised about what i watch. As a christian Seventh Day Adventist, i think it wouldn't want to put that kind of stuff into my brain since our body is the temple of God.
Nickname: n/a
can you review Star Trekk, please?
Nickname: Graceboe
I totally argree with what this has to say! Like my pastor would say- AMEN!!!!!! But I kinda want to see it!
Nickname: JJ
Well I saw the movie and I liked it but I do see what she is saying about how Jack's response to everything is violence but in the end it was a good movie.
Nickname: n/a
me 2
Nickname: Thelordismyjudge
Ive been tryin' to watch that for a long time, but my mom was scared off by the 'witch' in the title,she thinks it is about magic.
Nickname: Rachel
Hmm, sounds like a cool movie as long as you don't believe that could actually happen. I really though about the one question though, What does God think about violence? If God doesn't like violence, why does he talk about killing all the time? I'm confused.
Nickname: Circle
Hey, i'm just wondering if you'd do a review on the new Star Trek. Please do--i've seen it and enjoyed it, but was a little creeped out at times. As for Race to Witch Mountain, i haven't seen it and probably won't. Thanks for the great reviews!
Nickname: movie lover
i've never realized how much spiritual stuff we can get out a movie, even one with a lot of action in it.
Nickname: Lucia
well i like the movie!!!!:):):):):):)
Nickname: Zibeo
What do u mean
Nickname: blondie
I have heard that it is a awsome movie,i want to watch it.
Nickname: joy-lyn
race to whitch mountain was a nice movie but i thought that is was a little old for kids about 5 or 6 years
i went to the see the movie and there was little kids laughing at the fighting parts of the movie and i thought that kids should not be expossed to thing like that even though it is a good movie
i agree to Sibone's comment Jesus did not associate himself all the time with thouse tipe of thing and yes violence dose effect us a great deal in our life as well as our christain life and we do need to pay close attention to what we watch
Nickname: im still in here
I started watching it then got bored so... I have to say the movie was lame.
Nickname: Cody
wow.. that was a great report how you see movies and at the same time relate what the Bible says about it.....I gonna have to watch that movie..:)
Nickname: Sibone
good review. Since there is violence in this movie I'll deffnetly won't watch it. Some people don't know that violence influences us so much, in my country there was this kid that listened to violent music. and came to the school and killed a fellow pupil. Movies can influence us the same way. And the bible also teaches us to follow Jesus and his example. Jesus didn't associate him self with those type of things.
Nickname: blah
I've seen the old one so this should be good since it a remake
Nickname: N/A
Saw it. Was really cool; I loved it. Jack was kinda violent in every battle, but the aliens, Seth and Sarah were awesome. It was cool. I still don't know if it was an OK movie to watch, and that's why I read this review. I was wondering if God would mind me watching it. It gave me doubts...
Nickname: Hubert
*SIGH*
.......................
Nickname: jared11111(5)
i don't know if i want to watch it.....
but it sounds interesting.
Nickname: jaywalkjr
great movie
Nickname: malik
i think in some way every thing has a connection to god and its cool how you found it in one cool movie (i saw it)
Nickname: the law
I Have NOT seen the movie but I've seen the trailers and I have to agree with mel. the revew was great
Nickname: koolk
i agree with wat u said but it was also a very good movie
Nickname: n/a
i saw it it was soooo lame
Nickname: n/a
i like it; it shows how evil really can be, plus it's educational:)
Nickname: nel
I think It sound's intiriesting
Nickname: jewliun
there is actually aliens in the bible. You guys look up Genesis 6
Nickname: Gods Girl
I've never seen this movie or anything but I don't see why anyone would want to see it like totally but my mom and dad wouldn't ever let me watch it even if i wanted to but I probably could go watch it at a friends house buuuut they wouldn't like it and I would feel guilty and I hate that feeling so one again good review. TTYL
Nickname: kristi
I don't think my parents will ever let me watch it. it sounds kinda scary.
Nickname: J-Dizzy
The movie and the word is well done.
Nickname: lena
i saw the movie but like at the end wuz kinda creepy but kool at the same time. (its a good movie)
Nickname: @ndrews
Wow, that is a movie will NEVER WATCH!
Nickname: joko450
watching it anyway
Nickname: LiP GlOss
i agree wit u
Nickname: Gods Girl
ur right again mel so right nice report about this movie wat do you thing about space buddies????? I'm going to watch it (space buddies) but nice report.
Nickname: Konner
This movie is actually a re-make of an old (really old) Disney movie called "Escape To Witch Mountian" (That movie had a sequel called "Return To Wich Mountian" where the guy in the movie goes to the "Bad Side") Other than the fact that i don't really like profesional wreslers (Sorry ROCK) I think the movie's OK. And the special effects probably make it WAY better than the old version of it.
TTYL
Nickname: alex
this sounds like a great movie i'll have to watch it.
Nickname: larry12
so do i
Nickname: JJared
so cool!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
Nickname: n/a
It sounds pretty cool, I wanna watch it!!!
