Well, everyone, today, we are diving into yet another remake from Disney. This time around, however, it is NOT a remake of a Disney animated film. Rather, it is a remake of a 2003 live-action Disney film that was based on a Disney theme park ride. Though we don’t have Eddie Murphy this time around, we now have Rosario Dawson, Danny Devito, Jamie Lee Curtis, Owen Wilson, LaKeith Stanfield, and some other cast members. So now, let’s discuss the 2023 adaptation of the popular Disney theme park ride, The Haunted Mansion.
Plot: When a widowed doctor (Rosario Dawson), and her son (Chase W. Dillon) move from New York to New Orleans in order to open a new Bed And Breakfast Inn, they come across a mansion that is found to be abandoned, and haunted. What’s more, they, along with anyone else that steps into the home are stalked by ghosts that live there. Now, with the help of new friends such as a conman (Owen Wilson), a psychic (Tiffany Haddish), and an astrophysicist (LaKeith Stanfield), can these new visitors to the legendary Haunted Mansion discover why these ghosts act the way that they do, chase them away somehow, and be at peace once again?
So, was this remake better than the 2003 film, or should this film have remained floating around in the air with ghosts? Honestly, guys, after seeing this film, it makes me want to be a little bit nicer to the 2003 version that had Eddie Murphy in it. As some of you may know, I gave that version a lower B grade when rewatching, and reviewing it just a couple years ago. Now, is this a bad film? No! However, it’s not exactly a good, or great film either. First of all, even though there are a few funny parts here and there, the film felt a little more serious than funny. I’m not sure if that’s because Eddie Murphy was absent this time around, or if the filmmakers were just going for a more serious tone in this case. Either way, this film lacks the fun, and charm that the 2003 film had. I will say that with actors like Danny DeVito, or Owen Wilson at the helm of this version, that’s kind of sad, since they’re both rather good comedians too. Yeah, they each had some funny lines in this film. Still, both of them, and others probably could have had more. Anyway, the story, though fairly well developed, could have probably improved. Also, for crying out loud, why did this film end up having a psychic in this film, especially when there was also a priest in this film as well? I don’t know, the idea to have both a Catholic priest, and a person that consults spirits, and/or practicing witchcraft both helping the main protagonists in this film didn’t seem like the best idea. Hopefully, neither Disney, or even any other company, won’t make a habit of going down a road like that in the future. But hey, I guess we’ll see, eh? Anyway, besides characters like Father Kent, and Bruce Davis, who were played by Owen Wilson, and Danny DeVito respectively, the characters, while likable enough, don’t seem to stand out a whole lot, and/or be memorable. Oh, and one other thing to mention! When it comes to the 2003 version being superior, the ending for that one felt more uplifting, and upbeat than this new version for reasons that I won’t explain in case you still plan to see this film.
But are there good things in this movie? Well, at least a few things for sure. First off, music composer Kris Bowers knew how to capture both the good points, and the rather haunting, and creepy points for this film. Additionally, the climax was one of the major standouts for this version of the story, especially for all the events that transpired, which I won’t give away what events to avoid spoilers. Of course, there’s also the CGI. The CGI was good in both this film, and the 2003 film. Again, as far as comedy goes, there was a decent amount of that as well, despite the fact that there could have been more of that. Finally, there were good messages, including one about learning to let go of things that could potentially hinder us from moving forward in life.
And that’s my review for this new version of The Haunted Mansion. Honestly, even if this wasn’t one of the best versions of The Haunted Mansion, it still has some redeeming qualities that keep it from being a bad film. Still, this 2023 version of The Haunted Mansion is probably one that you could just wait until it comes out on DVD/Blu-Ray, and/or Disney+. Well, if you have a movie theater deal like with the AMC Stubs deal, where you pay an amount like $22.95/month in order to see up to 3 movies per week for free, then feel free to see it in theaters. Otherwise, probably wait until The Haunted Mansion is out of theaters, and on video. So, definitely see it at some point, and see what you think!
Final Grade: C
Matthew’s Animated & Live-Action Movie Reviews 