Haunted Mansion – Review

Cert – 12, Run-time – 2 hours 3 minutes, Director – Justin Simien

A group of strangers find themselves trapped in a haunted mansion, or else stalked by ghosts, trying to figure out how to free the house of deadly spirits

Up until now it’s seemed that the best way to adapt Disney’s Haunted Mansion theme park ride is to have it star The Muppets. The two major adaptations (2003’s fine-enough Eddie Murphy starrer and this most recent take) have appeared to be responses to other Disney rides-turned-films (the at the time in-production Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl and Jungle Cruise respectively). Going in you wonder, particularly with a 12 rating attached, how well the film will manage to balance spooks and gimmick, and indeed how well you’ll have to know the ride.

Indeed, there may be plenty of nods and references to Disney’s seemingly iconic ghost train but not so in-your-face that they’re clear and alienating to those (like myself) who have never visited. Instead, there are a number of good gags scattered throughout bringing plenty of chuckles. It’s these which ease you in after an opening few minutes which suggest the film won’t know which direction to take the ‘scares’ and how gimmicky it wants to be, even in the moment. However, as the cast comes together there’s plenty to enjoy.

While not an entirely traditional film there’s a familiar ensemble cast in a haunted house vibe to this particular flick. All trying to work out how to free the titular location of deadly ghosts, or else be haunted by them outside the grounds. LaKeith Stanfield leads as Ben, a tour guide brought in by Rosario Dawson’s Gabbie, and her young son Travis (Chase Dillon), for his links to capturing images of ghosts. Soon a team involving a priest (a miscast but still likable Owen Wilson), a questionable medium (Tiffany Haddish, on expectedly good form) and a university professor (Danny DeVito) is assembled, all trying to solve the mystery of the house and it’s changing landscape.

Amongst the laughs there are some solid scares dotted throughout. Keeping the generally family-friendly nature whilst managing to bring in a sense of eeriness and creepiness to certain scenes involving ghoulish action. It adds to the fun of the haunted house style which director Justin Simien seems to be trying to capture, and does so rather well. Even more emotional moments which stand out from the rest of the film manage to just about fit in and not disturb the overall flow of things – one in particular is sold well by Stanfield with an unexpected, complimenting pay off from DeVito.

There may be some slight dips every now and then, largely as the film threatens to just tip over into being too long, but overall there’s an entertaining time to be had here. Largely thanks to an ensemble cast who help to bring about a number of the chuckles throughout whilst avoiding an overall gimmicky feel. This doesn’t feel lazy or forced, it’s a good piece of family entertainment.

Once it settles itself Haunted Mansion makes for a familiar ensemble haunted house movie. With good performances from those involved bringing about a number of chuckles, and some solid spookiness along the way, there’s an entertaining ghost story here.