Editor’s Note: This review of ”Haunted Mansion” was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Real Mom of SFV would like to acknowledge that without the labor of the actors who are currently on strike, films such as this would not be possible.
As a Disney fan, I was excited to see how Disney’s “Haunted Mansion” would be translated to the big screen. It is, after all, based on the ride at Disneyland.
(Photo taken at “That’s From Disneyland” exhibit)
Now this isn’t the first iteration of a movie based on the beloved theme park ride (that would go to Eddie Murphy’s version), but I had high hopes based on the trailer that I had seen, plus the fact that this was written by Katie Dippold (The Heat, Ghostbusters) and directed by Justin Simien (Dear White People, Bad Hair).
However, it’s the cast that really sold the movie for me! The film stars LaKeith Stanfield, Rosario Dawson, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Chase Dillon, Chase Dillon Dan Levy, Jamie Lee Curtis and Jared Leto.
So what is the “Haunted Mansion” about? Check out the synopsis below…
Inspired by the classic theme park attraction, Haunted Mansion tells the story of Gabbie (Rosario Dawson), a single mom, who discovers that the home she and her son share is haunted by irksome ghosts. Hoping to restore domestic tranquility, Gabbie recruits a motley crew of so-called spiritual experts to help rid the house of the supernatural squatters. Featuring an all-star cast, the movie is a non-stop blend of action, adventure and comedy.
Set in New Orleans, the movie infuses the NOLA music, scenery and culture into “Haunted Mansion.” The movie does a great job tying in the theme park attraction references, calling back to certain scenes or ghost characters from the ride.
Overall I thought the movie was entertaining and funny. I didn’t expect so much humor in the movie, but when you have Tiffany Haddish and Owen Wilson, the laughs are sure to come! It’s a great movie to watch on Halloween and is something that younger family members can watch.
“Haunted Mansion” is available to purchase on all major digital retailers including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu/Fandango. On October 17th, you’ll be able to buy it on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD.
Disney’s Haunted Mansion Bonus Features*
FEATURETTES:
- Making Haunted Mansion (13:05): Hear from cast, crew and filmmakers about creating this grim grinning adventure based on the world-famous ride. See how the ghosts were “brought to life,” what role new technology played, and how the wildly popular attraction inspired the film’s design.
- 999 Happy Haunts (7:05): There are 999 Happy Haunts inside the Disney Parks’ attraction…but always room for one more! See all the Easter eggs (well, maybe not all of them) where characters big, small, alive, departed, human and otherwise appear in both the movie and the ride.
DELETED SCENES:
Take a look at some moments that passed on before the final version of Haunted Mansion was finished.
- Carol (0:45)
- 1 Star (0:44)
- Harriet’s House Of Intuition (3:11)
- They Say The Place Is Haunted (1:16)
- Between Realms (1:42)
- Crump Manor (1:07)
- Emergency Baptism (1:01)
- A Good Head For Business (0:32)
GAG REEL:
- Who knew making a scary movie could be so funny!
*Bonus features vary by product and retailer
Disney’s “Haunted Mansion” is rated PG-13.
“Haunted Mansion” has a run time of approximately 123 minutes.
Visit the official “Haunted Mansion” website here for more information.
Disclosure: No monetary compensation was received for this post. This blog post is for informational purposes. I received a complimentary copy of the movie which helped facilitate this write-up. Images shown in this post are used with permission. As always, my opinions are 100% my own.
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