A Reel Review: HAUNTED MANSION

Since 1969, Disney has struck the perfect balance of scary and fun with their Haunted Mansion attraction; a dark ride that whisks visitors through a house of haunts packed with endless hallways, creaky doors, hundreds of ghosts, and a creepy tune that gets stuck in your head long after your exit. The attraction was given a big-screen treatment in 2003 (which died on arrival), and today gets a new version that looks to recapture that perfect balance. 

 

Gabbie (Rosario Dawson), and her nine-year-old son Travis (Chase W. Dillon), move into a mansion in New Orleans only to find it haunted. For help, she enlists Ben, a paranormal tour guide (LaKeith Stanfield), a priest (Owen Wilson), a psychic (Tiffany Haddish), and a professor (Danny DeVito). 

 

To say too much more of the plot would move into heavy spoiler territory. Directed by Justin Simien, HAUNTED MANSION starts as a standard haunted house tale, but thanks to some twists and turns raises the stakes nicely. Through some clever events, the newly assembled ghost-busting team finds themselves unable to just walk away from the Mansion, and their efforts to combat the ghosts eventually leads them to an even darker spirit…the dreaded Hat Box Ghost which is seeking just one more soul for his collection. 

 

While the team gets tossed around the house by specters, HAUNTED MANSION finds its footing by some excellent character work. Ben, having recently lost his wife in a tragic accident, is grieving heavily and is a perfect target for the Hat Box Ghost to prey upon. Ben eventually finds an unexpected ally in learning how to let go, and even Hat Box deals with the same issue. It’s a heavy theme presented lightly yet effectively, and gives the film a beating heart. 

 

HAUNTED MANSION is a film that is most definitely aimed at fans of the famed ride at Disney parks. All the famous elements from the ride are there, right down to the breathing door and the doom-buggy. But it isn’t just a cinematic Easter Egg hunt, as every one of those elements is given a story reason; a purpose for being there and gives the film depth. This HAUNTED MANSION is a loving tribute to the ride. 

 

Pacing is brisk, humor is spot-on, and the scares well-timed. The balance works between fun and scary, as the spooky parts are very effective even though they lean towards the lighter side. Visual effects are a bit cartoony, especially with all the ghosts, but it is true to the look that the spirits have in the ride. Other visual effects such as the endless hallways and stretching rooms are very well done. The film takes a bit to find its footing as the first 20 minutes or so are a bit clunky, but once it finds its story things settle in nicely. 

 

The entire cast is excellent, with LaKeith Stanfield the standout. Rosario Dawson is committed as always, and Owen Wilson and Danny DeVito are a hoot. Jamie Lee Curtis appears as the famed Madame Leota and nearly steals the show. And watch out for a few sneaky and great cameos. 

 

For those of us who endure long wait-lines to ride Haunted Mansion at the parks more than once a day, this film version offers a lot to love. Those foolish mortals who have never experienced it may not get a lot out of the setting, but the story works and should hit home for anyone who has lost a loved one; a good balance of melancholy and whimsical. That makes this HAUNTED MANSION a happy haunt. 

 

BOTTOM LINE: See it