Race to Witch Mountain

Las Vegas taxi driver Jack Bruno (Dwayne Johnson) sets off on the adventure of a lifetime when two mysterious teens ask him to drive them deep into the Nevada desert. But his young passengers are no ordinary teens—siblings Sara (AnnaSophia Robb) and Seth (Alexander Ludwig) are aliens from another universe with astonishing supernatural abilities. Jack becomes a reluctant hero as he expertly evades the authorities while trying to infiltrate Witch Mountain, a shadowy government outpost devoted to studying UFOs.

The pedestrian screenplay lacks the spirit and imagination of the original '70s films, but the DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack is stellar, with outstanding frequency range and surround imaging. Unfortunately, the video isn't on par with other Disney releases and doesn't have quite what it takes to be an Ultimate Demo.

Impact

  • Chapter 1, 0:03:20
  • Frequency response
  • Feel the impact as the spaceship crashes into the Earth with its foundation-shaking bass.

Head-on collision

  • Chapter 3, 0:16:14
  • Frequency response, surround imaging
  • Although the CGI isn't that good, the audio is outstanding as the SUV impacts Seth's impenetrable body standing in the road. You can feel the impact as the vehicle crumbles around the boy thanks to the ample bass. Also, listen as the shattering pieces of the car fly through the room.

Humanoid Kevlar?

  • Chapter 11, 1:25:19
  • Surround imaging
  • Seth's supernatural abilities allow him to repel the incoming bullets, but listen to how the slow-motioned bullets move through the soundstage before impacting his impenetrable shield.

Release Date: August 4, 2009
Studio: Disney

Movie: 5/10
Picture: 8/10
Sound: 9/10

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