Haunted Mansion is a new Disney film based on the iconic attraction of the same name at Disneyland. While it pays visual tribute to the ride with numerous Easter eggs, the movie falls short in delivering the necessary laughs and scares to make it a potential blockbuster franchise like Pirates of the Caribbean. One can only wonder how much better it might have turned out if Guillermo del Toro had remained creatively involved.
Directed by Justin Simien (Bad Hair, Dear White People), Haunted Mansion offers routine entertainment that will likely please younger audiences looking for some summer fun. Screenwriter Katie Dippold (The Heat, Ghostbusters) attempts to infuse emotions into the story through a central character haunted by memories of his deceased wife. However, this subplot feels out of place amidst the appearances of iconic apparitions like The Hat-Box Ghost and Madame Leota.
LaKeith Stanfield plays Ben, a former astrophysicist who is now depressed and drinking heavily after the death of his wife, Alyssa. Ben has invented a “spectral photography” camera in an attempt to see her again. Father Kent, a hipster priest played by Owen Wilson, approaches Ben for help with a current case involving a widowed doctor named Gabbie and her son Travis, who have moved into a haunted mansion on the outskirts of New Orleans.
Initially skeptical, Ben becomes a believer when the ghosts from the mansion follow him home. He ends up temporarily living in the mansion with Harriet, a flamboyant medium played by Tiffany Haddish, and Bruce, a professor specializing in haunted houses played by Danny DeVito. The film descends into predictable mayhem as it recreates the thrills and chills of the theme-park attraction using a combination of CGI and practical effects. However, with a running time of over two hours, the experience becomes wearisome.
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The lead performers, Stanfield and Rosario Dawson, lack the comedic chops to elevate their bland characters. Tiffany Haddish, Danny DeVito, and Owen Wilson provide more entertaining performances, with Wilson’s mellow line readings contrasting nicely with the visual chaos around him. Despite the efforts of the comedic pros, the film’s jokes often fall flat, including DeVito’s character screaming “I’m too old to die!” while being pursued by aggressive spirits.
Haunted Mansion features several cameos, but they have minimal impact. Hasan Minhaj, Marilu Henner, Jo Koy, Winona Ryder, and Daniel Levy make brief appearances that do little to enhance the film. Jamie Lee Curtis taps into her goofy side after her Oscar-winning performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once, while Jared Leto is unrecognizable as the Hat-Box Ghost.
In terms of production, Haunted Mansion is a collaboration between Walt Disney Pictures, Rideback, and Walt Disney Productions. Justin Simien directed the film, and Katie Dippold wrote the screenplay. The cast includes LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Chase W. Dillon, Daniel Levy, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Jared Leto. The film is rated PG-13 and has a runtime of 2 hours and 2 minutes.
In conclusion, Haunted Mansion falls short of its potential to become a successful franchise. While it pays homage to the beloved Disneyland ride, the movie lacks the necessary laughs and scares to captivate audiences. Lead performers LaKeith Stanfield and Rosario Dawson struggle to bring depth to their characters, while the comedic talents of Tiffany Haddish, Danny DeVito, and Owen Wilson provide some entertainment. Ultimately, the film becomes repetitive with its prolonged runtime and struggles to leave a lasting impression.
