McCreary County Record Presents: Disney’s Haunted Mansion Movie: A Review
In Disney’s latest film, based on the iconic Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland, audiences can spot numerous Easter eggs paying tribute to the beloved attraction. However, despite the efforts to recreate the magic, the movie falls short of achieving the same success as the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.
Directed by Justin Simien, the film tries to strike a balance between laughs and scares but misses the mark. It attempts to infuse emotions through a subplot about a grieving character haunted by memories of his deceased wife. Unfortunately, this emotional element does not blend well with the traditional haunted elements of the story.
The main character, portrayed by LaKeith Stanfield, is a former astrophysicist who finds himself entangled in a haunting mystery after the death of his wife. Stanfield leads an ensemble cast that includes the talented Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Rosario Dawson, and Danny DeVito.
To recreate the thrills of the famous theme park attraction, the film heavily relies on both CGI and practical effects. Unfortunately, the lengthy running time makes the experiences feel repetitive, diluting the overall impact.
While Stanfield and Dawson’s performances may be lackluster, DeVito and Wilson bring much-needed humor to their roles, injecting some light-hearted moments into the movie. Additionally, the film features brief cameos from notable names such as Hasan Minhaj, Marilu Henner, Jo Koy, Winona Ryder, and Daniel Levy. However, these appearances are unfortunately forgettable and have minimal impact on the overall narrative.
Jamie Lee Curtis adds a goofy touch to her character, bringing some levity to the spooky proceedings. On the other hand, Jared Leto’s appearance as the Hat-Box Ghost is almost unrecognizable, making it difficult for audiences to connect with the character.
Overall, Disney’s Haunted Mansion film attempts to capture the magic of its namesake ride but falls short in delivering the necessary laughs and scares. While the movie boasts an impressive cast and visually stunning effects, it fails to create a lasting impact. Despite its Easter eggs and tributes to the iconic attraction, this film may not become the successful franchise that Disney had hoped for.
(Author’s word count: 349)
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