DVDs to Go: ‘Race to Witch Mountain’

"Race to Witch Mountain"—Dewayne Johnson leaves behind this wrestling non-de-plume, The Rock, for a "serious" acting role in this updated re-make of a popular, Disney live action adventure from the 1970s. While "Race" couldn't outpace such classic family offerings as "E.T." or "Toy Story," it was a definite improvement on the original.

Johnston stars as Jack Bruno, a cab driver and ex-con in Las Vegas who picks up two very poised pre-teens in his cab. They have a very precise location in the desert where they're heading and plenty of cash to get there. Jack, in desperate need of money, agrees to take them.

When he discovers they're being followed, Jack considers taking the kids to the authorities. When the duo disposes of the mysterious trackers with out-of-this-world devices, Jack begins to understand he's mixed up in real adventure.

The "kids" are aliens who've come to Earth to retrieve a device crucial to the future of their planet. Unfortunately, the government knows they're here and wants to capture them. Agents from their home world are also trying to stop them. Can a cab driver, two alien youngsters, a skeptical scientist (Carla Gugino) and a dog save the universe?  Hey, this is a Disney movie; what do you think?

Director Andy Fickman and screenwriters Mark Lopez and Mark Bomback do a good job of keeping the story moving at a nice clip. They also offer a bit of tongue -in-cheek self-satire with the plot taking place in Vegas at the same time as conventions of science fiction fans and alien visitation believers. Gary Marshall provides some solid comic relief as a cranky astronomer who's sure the government's covered plenty of alien landings.

Where the movie runs aground is in its reliance on a far-too-familiar story structure and special effects that sometimes skirt the edge of being too violent. In trying to please both families with small kids and teens, the movie ends up with a schizophrenic tone that hurts the overall movie.

All in all, this is a fun journey, but not a great "Race." In addition to the standard DVD, the film is available in Blu-ray format and in a two-disc set with a digital copy. Rated PG for violence and occasionally disturbing/scary scenes and themes. Joe's rating: Two stars.

Also released on Aug. 4:

» "The Soloist" —Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx are superb actors and they work very hard to bring a deep sense of humanity to their work in this real-life drama. Though their performances are quite effective, this potentially powerful film never quite gets things right.

The movie tells the story of how Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez (Downey) met and befriended homeless musician Nathaniel Ayers (Foxx). At first, Lopez is just looking for a way to fill his column. But, as he discovers more about Ayer's life and past, a bond begins to form that surprises both men. Still, a question haunts their friendship: where does the taking end and the giving begin for each man?

Director Joe Wright ("Atonement") and screenwriter Susannah Grant ("Erin Brockovich") do good jobs of filling in the broad strokes of the story. But they fail to find the humanity under the surface of this obviously emotionally gripping story.

Wright spends too much time utilizing images, such as birds flying, to represent the confusion inside Ayers' mind caused by his illness. Grant wanders from the story told by Lopez in the book upon which her script is supposed to be based, to give us an inconsistent, Hollywood-esque version of their relationship.

What is worth watching here are the scenes between the two actors. They get past the clichés to give us compelling moments that lift the film to the level it should have been from opening to closing credits.

When they "play" together and even when they perform separately, Downey and Foxx make sweet music in "The Soloist." Though the riffs go astray too often, their melodies are worth exploring. The film is available in standard and Blu-ray formats. Rated PG-13 for profanity, violence, drug content and sensuality.

Joe's rating: Two and one half stars.

Joe Barber's entertainment reviews and reports can be heard Fridays through Sundays on the WTOP-FM Radio Network (103.5, 103.9, 107.7 & Wtop.com.) He can be seen regularly on WETA-TV's Around Town and Fridays on Comcast Sports Net's Washington Post Live!