She turns to Father Kent (Wilson) for an exorcism and former astrophysicist Ben Matthias (Stanfield) for photographic proof. Ben is a skeptic who is deep in grief, and only agrees to help for the paycheck. When they are all haunted and forced to live in the mansion, they bring in medium Harriet (Haddish) and college professor and historian Bruce (DeVito). Can they work together to get rid of the ghosts before anyone else dies in the mansion?
Based on the Disneyland and Disney World Haunted Mansion ride. The ride first premiered at the park in 1969.
The Good:
The people making this film (director Justin Simien, writer Katie Dippold, set design, etc) clearly enjoy the Haunted Mansion ride and made sure that the film included iconic moments.
The story has a darker tone than the other versions, but still tries to inject the story with some humor through Danny DeVito, and sarcasm through Owen Wilson. LaKeith Stanfield is a strong lead and proves that he is a talented actor. The film looks great.
The Bad:
It's too long. Did they need a big name for the Hatbox Ghost? I'm not a fan of Jared Leto, but he feels wasted here. Rosario Dawson doesn't have much to do, she's fine, but not memorable.
Other Comments:
-Disney made 2 previous films about the ride: The Haunted Mansion in 2003 with Eddie Murphy and Muppets Haunted Mansion in 2021.
-I like Jamie Lee Curtis, but I don't love her as Madame Leota.
-I enjoyed the film, but have no interest in ever seeing it again. Maybe if it was funnier or had less characters or less plot...
Haunted Mansion (2023) 123 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for some thematic elements and scary action.
Director: Justin Simien
Starring: LaKeith Stanfield as Ben Matthias
Tiffany Haddish as Harriet
Owen Wilson as Father Kent
Danny DeVito as Bruce Davis
Rosario Dawson as Gabbie
Chase W. Dillon as Travis
Jamie Lee Curtis as Madame Leota
Jared Leto as Alistair Crump, The Hatbox Ghost
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