I wanted to love the HAUNTED MANSION like I love The Haunted Mansion in Disneyland. I looked forward to being frightened while still giggling at all the ghostly antics. But alas, I didn’t laugh enough or feel scared. Instead, I felt like I wasted my time.
HAUNTED MANSION has a star-studded cast that includes LaKeith Stanfield, Rosario Dawson, Owen Wilson, Tiffany Haddish, Danny DeVito, Jared Leto, and Jamie Lee Curtis. How can a movie with that amount of talent fail to deliver? There is an easy explanation. It all begins with the script. The power of the words just wasn’t there. Why was Tiffany using only half her comedic genius and timing? Owen and Danny played Owen and Danny. Nothing more. And what was with that accent Jamie used part of the time? I expected more. It was indeed a half-baked story surrounded by amazing CGI effects. Special moments from that magical Disney ride were all included but without a solid spark to match. I felt nothing while I watched. More editing would have helped to create a consistent pace.
HAUNTED MANSION is one of those “shoulda, woulda, coulda” movies that missed the moment. Don’t waste your money. Instead, go to The Magic Kingdom and experience the real thing.
HAUNTED MANSION is playing in theaters everywhere.
