The Summary
In the previous Witch Mountain movie we are introduced to a lovely pair of kids, Tia and Tony. The kids are young, and scared. They are overcoming the loss of their adoptive parents, and trying to discover who their birth parents are in the same stroke. The movie was about self discovery, and carried with it a lot of adult issues to be dealt with along the way.
Overcoming these issues, we learn that Tia and Tony are actually from outer space! They demonstrate some amazing powers along the way which helps move the plot along in a charming way.
Three Years Later
After the success of Escape to Witch Mountain we are caught up with Tony and Tia. This time the pair are on vacation from Witch Mountain, presumably relaxing from the stress of setting up their own culture in the mountains. Tony chides that he wishes he could go surfing, a point I can’t argue since their Uncle sees fit to let them vacation by themselves in Los Angeles. I question any adult who would let two teenagers loose anywhere, but especially in L.A. during the 70s.
Where before we were captivated by a romanticized story of innocence and self discovery, we are beaten over the head this time by a story that is full of cliches and special effects. The whole point of the film is lost on the fact that there are two kids with special powers on screen. Character development doesn’t seem as important as horrible dialogue and ridiculous premise.
Like the first movie, a premonition of danger leads the kids to saving someone who in turn rewards their kindness by kidnapping them. The two kids get separated, which was sad given the chemistry they had together on set. One ridiculous plot device after another leads the kids to a plutonium refinery in L.A. There, the kids are pitted against each other by an evil doctor and a mad financier. I suppose in planning it seemed epic to pit brother and sister, powers against powers… but it came off cheesy even for the era in which the film was made.
By not staying true to the mood of the original, what we are left with is something that does not mirror the first in anything but title. The kids may be the same, but the movie was very different.
Another annoyance for me was the inclusion of a bunch of truant “gang” members. Apparently L.A. is rife with gangs of 10 year olds who fear the dark. The inclusion was no doubt an attempt at branching out a bit in the series. This sort of cool worked for films like The Goonies. The problem was, the kids who were cast to be gang members couldn’t act their way out of a wet paper bag. Lines were delivered so forcefully that at times I wondered if some of the kids needed inhalers to speak.
The effects were there, but the magic was lost. Disney has a history of making really fantastic movies, and really horrible sequels. I can only hope that after 30+ years the newest installment in the Witch Mountain series, Race to Witch Mountain, will hold truer to the first than this movie did.
The special features are admirable for this release. They include:
All-New Pop-Up Fun Facts
Making The Return Trip
The Gang’s Back In Town
Disney Kids With Powers
“The Eyes Have It”
Lost Treasure: Christopher Lee, The Lost Interview
1978 Disney Studio Album
Audio Commentary