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NAH'LENS — Disney seems to put out movie remakes faster than I put down junior bacon cheeseburgers. For anyone interested, I do that quickly.
The latest update is "Haunted Mansion," and it is ready to spook up some cash at the theater. The movie is not a sequel to the 2003 Eddie Murphy movie, "The Haunted Mansion," nor a reboot. This version is more of a new take based on the same ride. Also, can you believe Eddie Murphy's "The Haunted Mansion" came out 20 years ago?
Late July seems an interesting time to drop a scary movie for families, but here we are. I think Disney hopes to release" Haunted Mansion" now so they can drop it on Disney+ in time for Halloween.
Despite its odd release time, I had fun with "Haunted Mansion." Here are a few reasons I think it's worth viewing.
It's a great mix of spooky and silly
Unlike its predecessor, this "Haunted Mansion" is rated PG-13 and not PG. The rating isn't due to any language and/or sexual content but because it has some scary moments. It's not to the level of an "Exorcist" or anything like that, but this mansion feels haunted.
Just as we're getting a little scared, however, we're reminded that this movie is meant for families and to have a laugh with a well-timed joke. There are enough laughs to keep it light and enough scares to keep it thrilling.
The cast is having a great time
The cast is what sells "Haunted Mansion." LaKeith Stanfield is a fine actor and he plays our lead and does so with a balance of seriousness, charisma and comedic timing. Rosario Dawson seems to be having fun with her helicopter-mother role, and Tiffany Haddish delivers a few laughs as the self-conscious fortune teller.
However, my favorite performances come from veterans Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito and newcomer Chase Dillon. Wilson is vintage Wilson — and for me, that's a plus. I know some don't like his odd delivery and humor, but I'm a fan, and his performance feels like the good old days. All DeVito needs to do to make me laugh is show up, and he does more than that. The man is a comedic genius, and I love watching him.
Dillon is not well-known, but I quickly fell in love with his quirky portrayal of Travis, the well-dressed youngster caught in a centuries-old haunting.
All the actors have chemistry and make an imperfect movie a lot of fun.
The scary (not in a good way) bits
While "Haunted Mansion" is fun, it's not a great movie. There are some plot holes, corny jokes and pacing issues. Lousy pacing can ruin a film, and a few moments start to drag, but not long enough to sink the movie.
Several cameos felt wasted.
Seeing some of these characters is fun, but we get about 30 seconds of screen time and one line. These cameos were there for the sake of promotion, and didn't add anything to the film.
What parents should know
I think PG-13 is the correct rating for "Haunted Mansion." The movie is not offensive, but it offers some scares. I would put the tone on par with "Pirates of the Caribbean." It's not overly scary, but it's more than the 2003 "The Haunted Mansion" and other family horror movies like "Goosebumps" or "Monster House."
Conclusion
"Haunted Mansion" is not a great movie, but I was entertained by it, and that's all I can ask of a film like this. It's not trying to win any awards, it just wants to deliver a few laughs and a few scares, and it did that for me.
I'm looking forward to seeing this one again with my kids. Do you need to rush to the theater to see it? No. But if you want a fun night at the theater, you could do worse if you've already seen "Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1."
"Haunted Mansion" will be great to sit in the basement this Halloween season and enjoy with the family.
"Haunted Mansion" is rated PG-13 for scary action and some thematic elements.
