Rating: Summary: Occassional awkwardness but overall a lot of fun Review: "The Haunted Mansion" is a really funny, if somewhat awkward hybrid of horror and comedy all mashed up in one 90 minute adventure in one movie. It all starts with a real estate husband/wife partnership where they sell houses to various tenants and but the workaholic lifestyle is straining their marriage as Jim Evers is working longer and longer hours. Later on they hear about an old grand mansion in the remote parts of Louisiana they think/believe that they have brought upon themselves a grand opportunity but when the whole family gets there they however realize that this is no ordinary old grand mansion. A very old butler named Ramsley greets them as does his master Gracey who lost his dear beloved lover many years ago to an 'accident' and has been tormented with grief ever since then. However, the only way to 'move on' is to discover the truth behind the death of Master Gracey's beloved. This place is haunted by tormented spirits 'trapped' down on earth. Jim going through all of the mayhem meets a ghost that inhabits the mansion and discovers that the only way to save himself from the curse that enshrouds his family is to 'break the curse' that has trapped all of them in the place of darkness and free them and this is told through a psychic crystal ball with immense psychological powers. This movie is really a lot of fun with a sort of watered-down Addams Family style visuals but I don't really find it to be all that scary. In fact, I find this movie to be a lot more funny and humorous slapstick fun than comedy horror but this movie offers lots of laughs. Adults may not find a lot to write home aobut with this movie but Eddie Murphy fans as well as younger audiences will find lots to enjoy on this movie. It's not an essential movie by any means but it is worth a look if you have too much time on your hands.
Rating: Summary: NO FUN, NO SCARE, NOTHING Review: "The Haunted Mansion" stars Eddie Murphy who lost any cool attitude he had in the 80s, and looks as if trying to corner family picture genre since his "Dr. Dolittle" films. I don't care what ever he does as long as it is funny, scary, or whatever. The fact is, this "Mansion" is not remotely funny, scary ... whatever it is. Well, whatever it is, I am sure this is one of the worst pictures ever made with Disney logo, which this film certainly doesn't deserve to wear. The cliche-ridden story need no summery. Eddie Murphy's character is dealing with real estates, and neglects his family too busy doing his business. Well, of course he relents soon, but when he takes out his family (one boy, one girl, one beautiful wife, as usual) to the holiday ride, he still drops in a big old house where a creepy butler (Terence Stamp, coming directly from Hammer horrors) introduces his master Nathaniel Parker, who must hide some secret behind the handsome face. These incredibly uninspired story could be still tolerable if there are enough humor or scare in it. Sorry, but the film's scare means a big loud banging noise (the most artless way any kids can think of), and its humor means Eddie Murphy's incessant chatting and mugging which remind me of Martin Lawrence. And it might be cruel to add this, but the acting of kids are not good. Campy fun could have saved the film from the entire mess, but Jennifer Tilly (who could be fun if given a right material) is literally confined in a small territory, reciting some silly rhymnes. The lush production designs are fun to see, so is Terence Stamp who surely understands his role, but the rest of the main characters, doing everything in a too straight manner, have ruined anything that might have come from the better part of the film. As many reviewers rightly said, if you want to see a film based on Disney attraction, see "Pirates of the Carribian." It is fun to watch Johhny Depp, who knows how to take risks, doing different things with talant and experience.
Rating: Summary: You Could Do ALOT Worse Review: To say this movie is bad for the numerous reasons reviewers list here so generously isn't 100% fair. This all depends on your expectations. I mean really, how good can you expect this film to actually be? A family/horror/comedy based on a ride at Disneyworld with Eddie Murphy? C'mon, what expectations did you really have? I never would have rented this film on my own free will, I can tell you that right now. I rented this film coz it was a fun night with just my daughter(she's 5) and I, and I had her pick out the movie. She could have done much, much worse. I can't stand the "family" films that come out anymore, but I didn't mind this one bit. Is it a good movie in the horror sense? No frickin' way! Is it good as a sidesplitting comedy? No. Is it a good film to watch with a small child when your other options are Olsen twins, Spy Kids 26 and Barbie-Swan Lake? You bet your butt it is! Basically, that's how I'm judging this film. In terms of the family viewing crud out there anymore, this is on par with Citizen Kane. If you wanna put it up against something like Kill Bill, well of course it's lame. This movie has enough to entertain the kiddies as well as keep the adults from nodding off to sleep. Some reviewers have complained that this may be a tad too scary for some children. That may be true, but honestly.....who cares? Can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen(that's the first time I've ever said that). Personally, I liked some of these "too scary for kids" moments. One in particular has Eddie Murphy and his daughter in a mausoleum where all the dead people come crawling out of their graves. This was actually pretty cool, quite Romero-ish. Good make-up by Rick Baker too. Terence Stamp is cool, as always. Though Eddie Murphy has really softened up over the last decade, he can still pull a few laughs out of you. This film would make perfect viewing on Halloween night if you've got kids who aren't old enough to watch Last House On The Left yet(but make sure they see that one at some point in their lives). So, if you have your kid(s) pick out a movie to rent and watch with you, consider yourself very lucky if they grab The Haunted Mansion. Just tell yourself that you could have been one of the unlucky parents who ended up watching Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch instead.
Rating: Summary: Murphy's MANSION provides mild scares and laughs Review: From Bob Hope to Don Knotts to even Francis the Talking Mule, haunted house comedies have long been a cinematic staple. After tackling the inept THE COUNTRY BEARS and the surprise hit PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, it was perhaps inevitable that Disney would base a film on its scariest and most popular ride, THE HAUNTED MANSION. Comedian Eddie Murphy, who would become a family favorite after successes in both SHREK and the DR. DOLITTLE films, was picked to lead the cast. What results is a film that unfortunately breaks no new ground in the haunted house genre, but is mildly amusing nevertheless. Murphy plays Jim Evers, a real estate agent whose work is slowly overwhelming his ability to relate to his family, including his business partner and wife (Marsha Thomason). When Thomason's character gets a request to sell a haunted mansion, her husband (smelling a hot business deal) and kids come along for the ride. What results is a series of spooky, wild and crazy events that ultimately force Mr. Evers to refocus his priorities. Along the way, he'll have to contend with ghostly butlers, disembodied heads, and a wide variety of goofy ghosts and goblins. By now, Eddie Murphy has become an old hand at playing workaholic fathers who learn the importance of family, while wise-cracking his way through the film. It's no different here. Murphy's solid, but not spectacular. Marsha Thomason is lovely and practical as Murphy's romantic foil. Terence Stamp is delightfully creepy as the ghostly butler, while Wallace Shawn and Dina Winters are amusing as a ghostly couple who help Murphy. However, it is Jennifer Tilly who garners most of the bigger laughs as Madame Leota, the disembodied head floating in a crystal ball, mainly through her rather "been there, done that" attitude. For the most part, the humor ranges from somewhat cute to pretty lame. Indeed, the film will generate more smiles than laughs, especially for the adult crowd. (A quartet of singing busts in the cemetery gets the award for garnering the best laughs.) The production design is very handsome, however, and the special effects definitely capture the spirit (no pun intended) of the ride on which the film is based. Overall, THE HAUNTED MANSION is definitely an amiable time-waster that will definitely amuse the kids. Adults looking for more filling entertainment are better off looking elsewhere.
Rating: Summary: Somewhat bland but not totally worthless... Review: This movie vascillates from being amusing at certain points to quite dull at others. The story line, for the most part, feels rehashed...though it's difficult to say from where. It's probably because we've seen it so many times before. The story behind the ride seems like it was invented pretty darn quickly. The acting is mediocre and the movie's not hilarious or extremely touching or memorable or anything. It's moderate in most respects. The funniest scene is the barbershop quartet of singing stone heads, and it's nice to see them get tied to the back of the family station wagon and driven home at the end (though you might wonder why they'd bring such annoying little sculptures back with them!) The gypsy in the crystal ball, Madame Leota, is among the more likable and endearing characters, along with Emma and Ezra. In fact, they really should never have cut out the deleted scene with Emma and Ezra. This isn't really a movie that most people would want to rush out and see, but if you're into slightly cheesed-up Disney stuff or have younger kids, it's worth a viewing or two.
Rating: Summary: NOT AS GOOD AS PIRATES ! Review: Following in the footsteps of PIRATES, Disney attempts to strike lighting one more time with this title. They do not succeed. This film was not a huge success at the box office, and there is a reason behind this lack of box office magic. The script is predictable and truly dull. It is not entertaining for adult or teens. The special effects are not really special and MURPHY's brand of acting/comedy is dated (very 1980s). Not a wise investment as a DVD purchase.
Rating: Summary: interesting film Review: I think the movie of the Haunted Mansion wasnot scary but was a little funny.I saw this movie in school and I found it interesting.Eddie Murphy played as a father in this film.I think you people will enjoy it to.you should read the book first to understand what the movie is about if you dont understand the main idea of the movie.
Rating: Summary: wonderful rendition of the ride Review: The Haunted Mansion is a beautifully simple story about love, deceit, betrayal, and family, with a few ghosts added in for good measure. i especially love the subtlety in which the storyline addresses interracial relationships; bravo to Disney for taking on a storyline with a powerful message of universal love. similar to viewing Pirates of the Caribbean, those who have made a tradition of riding The Haunted Mansion will be tickled to death ;-) at the little touches that was done to bring various parts of the ride to life. i found myself singing in the movie theatre to "grim grimmy ghosts about to socialize!" moreso, the movie has served as a powerful advertisement to visit a Disney theme park in the near future, as i hope to do this summer. i found myself anxiously waiting for the DVD, and, sure enough, i purchased my widescreen edition within the first week of distribution. the extras on the DVD were also very informative and enlightening. i just ate everything up. don't be surprised, however, if you actually get a little spooked while watching this movie. while its definitely no slasher horror film (thank goodness), it does have it's creepy moments. like it's themepark counterpart, there are parts of this visual ride that are both jovial and fun and parts that do bring a chill up your spine. enjoy this ride!
Rating: Summary: One of My Favorites! Review: I really enjoyed "the Haunted Mansion." When I went to Disney in Florida in 1999 I rode the ride at least 10 times. The special effects for the movie are fantastic. The mausoleum scene is riminiscent to me of "Pirates of the Carribean" - this would be the only questionable part (in my opinion) for children under the age of 10. Very realistic dead folks! I loved the 999 Grim Grinning Ghosts and the Theme song along with it. The ghosts are SO DISNEY! If you've been on the ride, you know what I mean. "When the crypt doors creak and the tombstones quake, the spooks come out for a swingin' wake. Happy Haunts materialize and begin to vocalize! Grim Grinning Ghosts, come out to socialize!"
Rating: Summary: cool sorta Review: i havent really seen the movie but i think it will be pretty cool because it stars the stunning eddie murphy!and the faboulos thats so ravens superstion song in it!
|