I’ll preface this review by saying that I was never a fan of the 2003 film The Haunted Mansion starring Eddie Murphy. In fact, I’m not sure I have ever made it through the entire film in one sitting. That is saying a lot because I love spooky season films. Casper, Hocus Pocus, and Halloweentown are some of my go to faves come October. But The Haunted Mansion never held up against those other films.
I was not expecting much from this new Disney remake that seemed more like a cash grab than anything (even if they stupidly released it in July instead of October). But, boy did it surprise me.
When Gabbie (Rosario Dawson) and her son discover that their new house outside of New Orleans is haunted, they employ priest Father Kent (Owen Wilson), Ben (LaKeith Stanfield), Harriet (Tiffany Haddish), and Bruce (Danny Devito) to help exorcize the house. Neither Kent nor Ben come willingly, and it is Ben’s story that really resonates in the film since he lost his wife tragically and has not handled the loss well.
LeKeith Stanfield is the real standout here and his performance alone is worth watching. You can feel his grief in every scene. While none of the characters are honest about who they really are or what they bring to the table, it is Ben who saves the day more than once.
Jamie Lee Curtis is there as well as a medium trapped in her crystal ball by an evil entity. Boy, would I have liked to see her in a larger capacity in this. Her limited screen time is some of the best in the film.
The film, while watchable and a little surprising in Ben’s well done storyline, has its shortcomings. I would have liked to see some practical effects and some better scares, but the visuals aren’t terrible. The ghosts needed some backstory as well, and I would have sat through another 20 minutes of this film to better understand a few of these apparitions (Jamie Lee Curtis’s in particular). Also would have liked to see some deeper character development with Gabbie and Harriet. Both are acted well by Haddish and Dawson, so a little more would have made this good film great.
Final thought – If you are using the most haunted American city of New Orleans as a backdrop, really utilize it. Use the history. The culture. The vibrant city. It’s there in Haunted Mansion, but only barely. I wanted so much more, but I’ll take what they gave us.
This will likely be become an annual watch for me. Three out of five stars (I’d use beignets, but they weren’t even mentioned in the film – le sigh).
Discover more from Becky Tyler Art and Photography
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Becky Tyler Art and Photography 
I’ll preface this review by saying that I was never a fan of the 2003 film The Haunted Mansion starring Eddie Murphy. In fact, I’m not sure I have ever made it through the entire film in one sitting. That is saying a lot because I love spooky season films. Casper, Hocus Pocus, and Halloweentown are some of my go to faves come October. But The Haunted Mansion never held up against those other films.
I was not expecting much from this new Disney remake that seemed more like a cash grab than anything (even if they stupidly released it in July instead of October). But, boy did it surprise me.
When Gabbie (Rosario Dawson) and her son discover that their new house outside of New Orleans is haunted, they employ priest Father Kent (Owen Wilson), Ben (LaKeith Stanfield), Harriet (Tiffany Haddish), and Bruce (Danny Devito) to help exorcize the house. Neither Kent nor Ben come willingly, and it is Ben’s story that really resonates in the film since he lost his wife tragically and has not handled the loss well.
LeKeith Stanfield is the real standout here and his performance alone is worth watching. You can feel his grief in every scene. While none of the characters are honest about who they really are or what they bring to the table, it is Ben who saves the day more than once.
Jamie Lee Curtis is there as well as a medium trapped in her crystal ball by an evil entity. Boy, would I have liked to see her in a larger capacity in this. Her limited screen time is some of the best in the film.
The film, while watchable and a little surprising in Ben’s well done storyline, has its shortcomings. I would have liked to see some practical effects and some better scares, but the visuals aren’t terrible. The ghosts needed some backstory as well, and I would have sat through another 20 minutes of this film to better understand a few of these apparitions (Jamie Lee Curtis’s in particular). Also would have liked to see some deeper character development with Gabbie and Harriet. Both are acted well by Haddish and Dawson, so a little more would have made this good film great.
Final thought – If you are using the most haunted American city of New Orleans as a backdrop, really utilize it. Use the history. The culture. The vibrant city. It’s there in Haunted Mansion, but only barely. I wanted so much more, but I’ll take what they gave us.
This will likely be become an annual watch for me. Three out of five stars (I’d use beignets, but they weren’t even mentioned in the film – le sigh).
Discover more from Becky Tyler Art and Photography
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Share this: