Blockbuster or Bust: The Haunted Mansion
“A dark and delightful remake that will leave its predecessor in the graveyard where it belongs.”
Step aside Eddie Murphy – LaKeith Stanfield has you beat. The Haunted Mansion is a dark and delightful remake that will leave its predecessor in the graveyard where it belongs. My apologies to anyone with a personal attachment to the 2003 Haunted Mansion, but in my opinion, this film was a ride that could use some updates. Paying homage to the 1969 Disneyland attraction, (with several allusions to the 1971 Disney World version as well) the newest rendition of The Haunted Mansion is sure to be a wild and witty adventure for any Disney fan, but is it for everyone?
Story
Our protagonist, Ben Matthais, is your classic nonbeliever proved wrong wrapped in a fallen astrophysicist’s clothing. His level of coolness combined with emotional vulnerability makes him the ideal person to follow through the journey into the inevitable haunted mansion. While there, Ben and his “dream team” must solve the mystery of the mansion and set the ghosts free in four days – or one of them will become the 1,000th not-so-happy haunt to walk the halls for eternity. With a few twists and several satisfying backstories, this film doesn’t shy away from exploring the themes of grief that are innately intertwined with a ghost story. While the story structure is rather conventional and the final outcome is not likely to stick with you quite like a hitchhiking ghost, it is certainly an entertaining and satisfying watch.
Characters
As previously mentioned, Ben Matthais is the ideal protagonist, serving as the necessary naysayer, brave leader, and mysterious genius trying to escape the ghosts of his past. His effortless coolness never dreams of becoming cringeworthy. Owen Wilson takes a humorous approach to Father Kent – a priest who’s quite terrible at his job. Tiffany Haddish’s Medium Harriet, Rosario Dawson’s motherly Gabbie, Danny Devito’s heart conditioned professor, and Chase Dillon’s adorable little Travis, made for an ideal cast of ironic characters and elite casting. While some other big names in the film made limited appearances, there is not one character I can single out for sending my pupils in circles each time they entered the screen. Even our villain, the beloved hatbox ghost, served as a fun and fulfilling force of evil.
Quality of Remake
As a remake The Haunted Mansion is a slam-dunk in comparison to the 2003 version. The story is filled with much more heart and overall meaning. With harder-hitting themes of processing grief and humor around every frightening corner, the film is a delightful blend of fun and fear that pays as a better homage to the chilling and charming brainchild of imagineers Claude Coats and Marc Davis.
Is it Worth the Watch?
Much like the favored attraction, Justin Simien’s Haunted Mansion is the type of ghoulish goodness that is destined to become a Halloween classic for many. Outside of spooky season, is it worth a summer night of AC at AMC? For Disney fans – definitely. For non-Disney fans – it really depends what you’re looking for. The Haunted Mansion is not going to blow you away and happily haunt you for days after viewing it the way that other films might in the wake of “Barbenheimer weekend.” That being said, if you’re just looking for something entertaining and fun for the family then look no further.
