 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Haunted Mansion
- Review Date: May 3, 2004
- PG
- Genre: Thriller
- 2003
Common Sense Media says
Go on the Disney ride instead. It's over sooner.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that there are lots of chases and peril involving ghosts and skeletons. The atmospherics of the crypt scenes might scare younger viewers. A ghost is dragged into a fiery pit while other ghosts dematerialize to ascend into the heavens. Younger children might be scared when the Evers parents, Jim and Sarah, are threatened.
What's the story?
During a family trip with his wife Sara (Marsha Thomason) and two kids, workaholic realtor Jim Evers (Eddie Murphy) decides to check into things when a mysterious caller requests that Sara be the agent for a mansion outside of town. After the Evers clan arrives at the mansion a storm rolls into the bayou, forcing the family to stay overnight as guests in the atmospheric household of Edward Gracey (Nathaniel Parker) and his spooky butler Ramsley (Terence Stamp). Once the doors slam shut, the family must solve the mystery of the spooky mansion before they can leave together again.
Is it any good?
Inspired by Disneyland's Haunted Mansion ride, the movie of the same name is about as original as you might expect. Director Rob Minkoff doesn't pull off the surprising treat that was Pirates of the Caribbean. But he does turn a six-minute ride into a 90-minute picture with a plot as thin as spider webs and as predictable as a Scooby-Doo episode.
The movie drags despite the near constant rushing of Jim and his children between clues. While Jim's spiel is a lighthearted patter complemented by his kids' matter-of-fact acceptance of their surroundings, the resulting dialogue feels smarmy. Madame Leota (Jennifer Tilly) and the barbershop quartet add a little life, but you have to wonder at a movie where disembodied heads turn in the movie's most interesting performances. Thomason shows little acting range, while Terence Stamp's effortless performance appears to tap the actor's immense desire to be out of the movie.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about priorities and how different people in the same family might view an action in a very different light. For example, Jim argues that he is trying to succeed in business so that his kids will have everything they want, whereas his kids argue that they really only want time with their parents. Families might also wish to discuss being scared and how Jim explains overcoming one's fears to his son.
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AGE
Good for the Family
A movie about a haunted mansion sounds scary doesn’t it? But not Disney’s “The Haunted Mansion.” This film is more of a romance and comedy mixed with the paranormal.
Jim Evers (Eddie Murphy) is a workaholic of his real estate business with his wife Sara (Marsha Thomason). Jim promises to take his family to the lake, but makes a detour to a potential customer’s mansion. They soon meet the butler, Ramsley, and Master Gracey. After a while, Jim finds himself in a secret passageway. The kids follow a ghost ball and eventually see a picture of a woman that looks just like their mom. They finally meet up with Jim. Ezra and Emma, ghost butler and maid, and Madame Leota explain the mansion’s secrets to Jim and the kids. They eventually find out that Ramsley murdered Elizabeth, the woman in the picture whom Gracey loved. After learning how to work together they save Sara and break the curse that was put upon the mansion.
The storyline was consistent throughout the movie. It kept me wandering if they were going to be able to break the curse.
Eddie Murphy brought out his usual comedy side in “The Haunted Mansion.” He made some of the intense moments “lighter.” The supporting actors and actresses also did a wonderful job.
The special effects were amazing. The ghosts looked real and it really felt like Madame Leota was actually in the ball. “The Haunted Mansion” had a lot of special effects, and they were done well.
Overall, “The Haunted Mansion” is a good movie for the family. It has just a hint of suspense mixed into the comedy and romance.
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AGE
this movie is awsome but.....
this movie is awsome! but there is way to much vilonce and peril for enyone under 9.
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AGE
Fun Family Movie
This movie is good for younger viewers. The movie itself isn't exactly scary until you get into the crypt scene in the graveyard. The zombies are very realistic and might scare young children. Also, the butler gets pulled into Hell (and they do name it as such) in the movie. Something else that might bother kids.
Not too scary. Fun, family movie. Eddie Murphy is very, very funny.
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AGE
Funny horror film!
For a horror film, it isn't scary, just funny. Eddie Murphy rocks!
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AGE
perfect for older kids but not for younger
In the beginning of the story the main character played by eddie murphy is a little selfish but with the help of the nice people in the haunted mansion(thats not very many people) he discovers how much his family means to him! I luv the haunted mansion
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AGE
GREAT MOVIE
positive messages but a bit scary for a kid.... my sister watched it at age 9 she was frightened and hided in a scene when the zombies came out to chase Eddy... it's a beautifull love family story with a kiss at the end... it may seen spooky but 8 years old can take most of it.. and 11-12 years old can take the spooky part about zombies...
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AGE
At the end of the movie mostly, uses a few times not too bad swears
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Kid, 12 years old
June 19, 2010
AGE
it is ok
it is a yong kid huore movie
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| Topics: | monsters, ghosts, and vampires |
| Studio: | Buena Vista |
| Director: | Rob Minkoff |
| Cast: | Eddie Murphy, Jennifer Tilly, Terence Stamp |
| Genre: | Thriller |
| Run time: | 85 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | November 26, 2003 |
| DVD release date: | April 20, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | frightening images, thematic elements and language |
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