‘Haunted Mansion’ Movie Review: Disney Reboot Channels the Original Ride

‘Haunted Mansion’ Review: Justin Simien’s Spooky Comedy Is a Ghoulish Delight

MarkMeets attended UK premiere of “Haunted Mansion” at Cineworld Leicester Square on July 25, 2023 in London, England

Haunted Mansion cast: Who is in the movie?

The Haunted Mansion cast is stacked, with pretty much every actor recognizable. Here’s who is in the movie…

• Rosario Dawson as Gabbie
• Owen Wilson as a priest named Kent
• Danny DeVito as a historian named Bruce
• Lakeith Stanfield as a paranormal guide named Ben
• Tiffany Hadish as a psychic named Harriet
• Chase W. Dillon as Gabbie’s son Travis

Haunted Mansion plot: What’s the movie about?

Here’s the official synopsis for Haunted Mansion: “Inspired by the classic theme park attraction, Haunted Mansion is about a woman and her son who enlist a motley crew of so-called spiritual experts to help rid their home of supernatural squatters.”

Disney’s Haunted Mansion: A Comedy-Rich Take on the Iconic Ride

In the early 2000s, Disney ventured into bringing their popular theme park rides to the big screen, yielding mixed results. While “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” turned into a massive live-action franchise that successfully captured the essence of the ride, “The Haunted Mansion” featuring Eddie Murphy, though not a failure at the box office, couldn’t quite match the magic of its beloved counterpart and was overshadowed by the success of “Pirates.”

A Nostalgic Journey to the Dark Side

In the early ’80s, Disney took a dark turn with its live-action releases, such as “The Watcher in the Woods” and “Something Wicked This Way Comes.” These intense movies, though captivating, raised concerns among parents of that generation about traumatizing their kids. Now, with a new adaptation of “Haunted Mansion,” the question arises once again – can Disney strike the right balance to entertain without scaring its younger audiences?

A Comedy-Centric Haunting

The PG-13-rated “Haunted Mansion” directed by Justin Simien, known for “Dear White People,” is more comedy than horror. Rather than trying to frighten viewers, the film relies on clever sight gags and imaginative ghosts, taking cues from the park ride itself. The result is a compelling standalone story that does justice to what fans love about the attraction.

A Script That Goes Beyond Gimmicks

Penned by Katie Dippold, the writer of “Ghostbusters,” the movie’s script goes beyond mere gimmicks and establishes a strong emotional foundation. The story begins with a meet-cute between Ben (LaKeith Stanfield), a skeptical astrophysicist, and a woman with a penchant for the supernatural (played by Charity Jordan). The narrative progresses, following Ben’s struggles after a tragedy and his connection with Gabbie (Rosario Dawson), a single mother, and her young son Travis (Chase Dillon), who is coping with the loss of his father. Along the way, Father Kent (Owen Wilson), an eccentric priest, enlists their help in identifying the spirit haunting Gracey Manor, a historic Louisiana mansion with a complex history.

The Spectacle and the Hiccups

While the movie impresses with its clever nods to the Disneyland ride and its use of optical illusions, some of the visual effects fall short of expectations. The overreliance on CGI becomes apparent, and certain characters, like Jared Leto’s headless Hatbox Ghost, appear less convincing in their computer-generated forms. However, the film’s comedic scenes, including a description of the ghost to a police sketch artist, deliver hearty laughs.

Balancing the Haunts with Emotional Themes

As the plot delves deeper into ghostly encounters, the film loses some of its initial engagement. Nevertheless, the movie does not abandon its emotional core. It acknowledges the grieving process experienced by both Ben and Travis, who have lost loved ones and face the temptation of reuniting with them on the other side. In this way, “Haunted Mansion” delivers its heartwarming message while trying to bring smiles to its audience’s faces.

MarkMeets Review

Overall, “Haunted Mansion” manages to entertain audiences with its comedic approach, clever references to the ride, and heartfelt themes. Although not without its flaws, the film successfully avoids being too scary for younger viewers. Disney’s attempt to tap into its existing IP and bring beloved rides to life continues to yield unique cinematic experiences.

MarkMeets rating: 4 out of 5.

Haunted Mansion will hit screens on July 28, 2023. This is a week after Barbie and Oppenheimer face-off at the box office.