Jim Evers (Murphy) is a workaholic, much to the chagrin of his business partner / wife Sara (Thomason). They decide to take the family on a vacation, but take a short delay to look at a prospective sale. The house is owned by Master Gracey (Parker) and has been in his family for generations. However, the history of the house haunts him, and he wants to sell. While the family joins him for dinner, a storm prevents them from leaving the mansion. Creepy butler Ramsley (Stamp) shows the family to their rooms, and knows the secrets of the house. As the evening wears on, the family is separated and each learns of the spectres who inhabit the mansion.
Jim is sent on a quest by gypsy, Madame Leota (Tilly) who only appears in a magic crystal ball. Song Michael (Jefferies) and daughter Megan (Davis) meet the other servants of the house, Ezra (Shawn) and Emma (Waters). And Sara learns the history of the house from Gracey. A company of ghostly apparitions and zombies to add to the mayhem.
Like Pirates of the Caribbean, this film is based on the Disney ride by the same name. However, this film is not as good as POC. It is a good idea, but the story doesn't live up to the hype. The characters of Master Gracey and Sara are underdeveloped...and way too much time is given to Eddie Murphy's Jim. I like Eddie Murphy, but this film has a lot of problems. Some characters manage to rise above, like Jennifer Tilly's Madam Leota, but there is too many "main" characters to truly appreciate the ones that do a good job.
The sets are incredible. I have never ridden the Haunted Mansion ride, but apparently the film stays true to the ride. The outside of the mansion is magnificent, and the interior does not disappoint. Some of the special effects are good, like the ghosts in the cemetery, but the rest isn't good enough, like the zombies. Overall it is an entertaining film that children will probably enjoy...I can't say the same for the adults who watch. I was entertained...but my expectations were low to begin, and I watched it on television, so it was free!
--: there are some funny one-liners here and there
--: don't compare it to POC, or you will be sorely disappointed...but if you accept it for what it is, you will survive the film.
The Haunted Mansion (2003) 99 minutes
Rating: PG for frightening images, thematic elements and language
Director: Rob Minkoff
Starring: Eddie Murphy as Jim Evers
Terence Stamp as Ramsley
Nathaniel Parker as Master Gracey
Marsha Thomason as Sara Evers
Jennifer Tilly as Madame Leota
Wallace Shawn as Ezra
Dina Waters as Emma
Marc John Jefferies as Michael
Aree Davis as Megan
Jim is sent on a quest by gypsy, Madame Leota (Tilly) who only appears in a magic crystal ball. Song Michael (Jefferies) and daughter Megan (Davis) meet the other servants of the house, Ezra (Shawn) and Emma (Waters). And Sara learns the history of the house from Gracey. A company of ghostly apparitions and zombies to add to the mayhem.
Like Pirates of the Caribbean, this film is based on the Disney ride by the same name. However, this film is not as good as POC. It is a good idea, but the story doesn't live up to the hype. The characters of Master Gracey and Sara are underdeveloped...and way too much time is given to Eddie Murphy's Jim. I like Eddie Murphy, but this film has a lot of problems. Some characters manage to rise above, like Jennifer Tilly's Madam Leota, but there is too many "main" characters to truly appreciate the ones that do a good job.
The sets are incredible. I have never ridden the Haunted Mansion ride, but apparently the film stays true to the ride. The outside of the mansion is magnificent, and the interior does not disappoint. Some of the special effects are good, like the ghosts in the cemetery, but the rest isn't good enough, like the zombies. Overall it is an entertaining film that children will probably enjoy...I can't say the same for the adults who watch. I was entertained...but my expectations were low to begin, and I watched it on television, so it was free!
--: there are some funny one-liners here and there
--: don't compare it to POC, or you will be sorely disappointed...but if you accept it for what it is, you will survive the film.
The Haunted Mansion (2003) 99 minutes
Rating: PG for frightening images, thematic elements and language
Director: Rob Minkoff
Starring: Eddie Murphy as Jim Evers
Terence Stamp as Ramsley
Nathaniel Parker as Master Gracey
Marsha Thomason as Sara Evers
Jennifer Tilly as Madame Leota
Wallace Shawn as Ezra
Dina Waters as Emma
Marc John Jefferies as Michael
Aree Davis as Megan
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