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.
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...
Um, language is most definitely an issue. Eddie Murphy said "ass" twice in this movie! NOT what I was expecting my 5 and 8 year olds to hear after reading the reviews. It was very cute and my 8 year olds loved it though there were some very scary images.
As we plan our 1st trip to Disney World, my 7 1/2 year old daughter said she did not want to go into the Haunted Mansion. Having been in it many times myself since childhood, I told her it is not too scary and it is a fun ride and anything related to Disney is not ment to be scary. We watched the movie in hopes of convincing her that the ride would be fun. Well, after seeing that movie nothing we can say now will ever get her on that ride. Very disappointed that some of the scenes were very scary for young children.
My kids love this movie! I think it sends a positive message about family and love. The images are not scary at all-at least my 2 year doesn't think so!
Scary for the kids, but fun picking out the Haunted Mansion ride references
I am not a parent, yet, but hopefully soon and I can't tell you how thrilled I am to have stumbled onto this website! As for the movie, I jumped out of my seat a few times so I would not recommend it for kids under 12. I was also disappointed to see that Disney did resort to some swearing, which was completely unnecessary. The best part; however, was picking-out the scenes, characters and lines from the actual ride. It was like "Where's Waldo" and my husband and I had a great time recalling memories of the ride.
Not that it's good, by any stretch of the imagination, but it moves along briskly with mildly spooky imagery and a vibe that says to kids scary things are not so scary if you're with your family. I wouldn't go so far as to call it a positive message movie, but anything that helps kids get over fears has some value. If you know the ride, it's kind of fun to watch for references to its famous details, but grown-ups can feel free to leave the room (except during the few creepy parts when your kids may call for back up).
The movie was very well done. It was not a ripoff of the Disney World ride at all - in fact, it was enjoyable spotting the elements from the ride in the move. Jennifer Tilly as the gypsy head in the crystal ball was hilarious, and even the scary part with the spiders and zombies was funny (albeit rather realistic). My 11 year old girl and 5 year old boy both had a ball and went to see it a second time (and are angling for a third viewing).
The newest Disney attraction that has become a movie is THE HAUNTED MANSION. Everyone remembers the great POTC: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL, which was both funny and action packed. Overall this MANSION gets moldy quickly if you know what I mean, with some laughs to save it from being a disaster.
I found this movie to be entertaining, without having to be concerned with foul language, sex, violence and other offensive subject matter. I recommend it from a mother's point of view for their child, not from a movie critic's. I laughed, felt sadness, and saw evidence of love and compromise between adults, which is typical of a loving family relationship. Sweet story line overall, even with the "evil vs good" that is tied into it. I say "thumbs up" for simple entertainment!
Fans of the ride should enjoy this movie! Eddie Murphy's really funny, and the special effects are great!
No, this isn't a classic, but it is a fun movie.
Violence: Moderate - There is a depiction of a man who has committed suicide (he has hanged himself). One of the main characters is nearly choked and thrown out of a high window (he survives).
Sex/Nudity: None
Horror: Moderate - Themes of suicide, murder and various supernatural elements (including menacing zombies/skeletons) with moderately perilous situations. There is also a theme of arachnophobia which features a confrontation with spiders (this is, however, offset by a positive message about facing fear).
Language: Mild - Minor swearwords.
Drugs/Alcohol: None.
Overall: Moderate themes. It is highly likely that children will be afraid/confused by some of the darker elements of the film, which will probably warrant further explanation. The supernatural elements may also prove frightening.