Rating: 
Summary: "I See Dead People" 3
Review: THE HAUNTED MANSION is the latest film I've seen where ordinary folks see dead people. The last was GOTHIKA. The original was, of course, SIXTH SENSE. It's evidently an inconvenient talent. (A very clever knock-off of the theme was THE OTHERS of a couple years ago starring Nicole Kidman. Its subtitle could have been, "I see live people.")Eddie Murphy and Marsha Thomason are Jim and Sara Evers, a high-powered husband and wife realtor team. Sara is invited by Mr. Gracey (Nathaniel Parker) to visit his home for the purpose of listing the property. On the way out of town for the weekend, the entire Evers family, which includes son Michael (Marc Jefferies) and daughter Megan (Aree Davis), stop by the Gracey place, which proves to be a gothic, ante-bellum mansion back in the Louisiana bayous. There's a creepy cemetery stretching to the horizon out back. They're greeted by the sinister butler Ramsley (Terence Stamp). A convenient downpour closes the road, and the Evers must stay the weekend. Serious bummer for them as Master Gracey covets Sara's bod (in a G-rated sort of way). Is this a scary movie? It provided a couple of frissons. Children may find it more frightening. Is it amusing? Reasonably so. Eddie Murphy's humor is the constant which holds it all together. And there are a couple more chuckles coming from un-dead housemaid Emma (Dina Waters), who makes cookies, and the disembodied head of gypsy fortune-teller Madame Leota (Jennifer Tilly), who inhabits a large crystal ball. The special effects are more or less up to the current standard, which makes them at least good overall. I particularly liked the household spirits, which morph in and out of a swirling ectoplasmic smoke that was quite well done. The acting is, for the most part, adequate. Young Davis as the unflappable Megan occasionally steals the show and was my favorite player. Stamp tries so hard to make Ramsley ominous that he just comes across as wooden. Thomason is wholesomely pretty, but not much else. Is this a great film? Not by a long shot. Is it even memorable? Nah. The plot is contrived and silly. But you won't feel cheated if you see it even at today's extortionate prices. And the kids will probably enjoy the hell out of it.
Rating: 
Summary: Eddie Murphy great, story lacking.
Review: Eddie was perfect for the film! This movie was quite a disappointment! (It was no Pirates of the Carr.)! The story was choppy at best, the evil butler states "go to hell", and is SOMEHOW able to open a portal, which takes the butler! What? Who cursed the house? How were they going to get the wife if the kids were not in danger? Sloppy at best. A few entertaining moments, but not enough to make you buy the ticket. Wait to rent it.
Rating:
Summary: Eddie Murphy great, story lacking.
Review: Eddie was prefect for the film! This movie was quite a disappointment! (It was no Pirates of the Carr.)! The story was choppy at best, the evil butler states "go to hell", and is SOMEHOW able to open a portal, which takes the butler! What? Who cursed the house? How were they going to get the wife if the kids were not in danger? Sloppy at best. A few entertaining moments, but not enough to make you buy the ticket. Wait to rent it.
Rating: 
Summary: Fun movie for the Family
Review: [These]This movie was creative & fun. It is a enjoyable movie for all ages all though it will probably be more entertaining for a younger audience. Definetely a must own on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Pirates of the Carribean this is not
Review: While not in league with Pirates of the Carribean (POTC), this movie was still entertaining in its own right. Scary? Well, not really. They are a big fan of having things jump out and try to get you jumping yourself... but all these parts were rather predictable. But, my son enjoyed the thrill factor of this movie. I've always shied from him watching scary movies, but I felt okay about bringing him to this one. Funny? Well, Eddie Murphy is always funny. He is just a funny guy and a fun guy to watch on the screen. He did seem to be coasting through most of this movie, but he becomes to this movie what Johnny Depp was to POTC. Story line? Pretty simple, but this is more a movie for kids so simple was in what was called or. My son really enjoyed it. But how they beat the bad guy... just not too dramatic or outstanding of an ending to this movie. Special Effects? Fantastic!! Flawless! The ghosts were well done as well as the magic crystal ball. Recommended? For the very little ones that are weak of heart... I wouldn't recommend. For the older young ones who can stomach a ghost story, oh yes!!! For adults... maybe consider it for a rental unless you are taking your kids.
Rating: 
Summary: Really Cool
Review: This Movie was so cute. It was funny. It's not scary but only for the parts where you jump cause that's what it's all about. The kids in the movie were very good actors, the one little boy was so funny! Eddie Murphy is hilarious he plays a man who is a real-estate agent who would do anything to sell houses even if it means going to a Haunted Mansion. It's an awesome movie, go and see it! You'll get your moneys worth!
Rating:
Summary: Impressive movie-Not what I expected
Review: I expected a movie that would put me to sleep, be trite, and be
silly. Instead I was really suprised that I was able to keep
awake, keep interested, and was on the edge of my padded cushion
most of the time. I don't think it will win any academy awards,
but enjoyable. It was interesting how the writers included many
aspects of the "Haunted Mansion" from Disneyland. They tied it together nicely. I never knew the "Haunted Mansion" was that haunted! I suggest the El Capitan Theatre (Hollywood Blvd)
Nice movie-set walk-thru at the end of the show.
Rating:
Summary: 999 Happy Haunts? Not really.
Review: I'm a huge fan of Disneyland, and the Haunted Mansion is one of my favorite attractions, so I force myself not to get my hopes up too high when they say they are going to make a movie out of one of them, lest I be too disappointed by the result. And it's a good thing. I was pleasantly surprised when they came out with the very entertaining "Pirates of the Caribbean" this summer, but "the Haunted Mansion" doesn't quite deliver on its promise so successfully, as hard as it tries. And it does try hard. From the typically sumptuous sets that a Disney movie can afford, to the great comedic talent of Eddie Murphy, this movie could have had the right mix of atmosphere and comedy to be both a satisfying homage to a beloved themepark ride, as well as a fun piece of entertainment. But this House falls down in the storytelling area, from where it can't quite get back up. The story did have potential, it really did. It included enough "explanations" of various parts of the ride, that it could satisfy any annual passport holder to Disneyland, like the Hitchhiking Ghosts, the guy hanging from the ceiling, or the wedding dress in the attic. But the moths in that dusty attic must have been running amuck, because there are too many holes in the fabric of the story. Whenever there was a chance for a character to explain or develop part of the story, they seemed instead to take the time to harp about a vague evil curse in the house, the origin of which we can only speculate about. Okay, the house is cursed, but why? Okay, one servant is evil, but why? Okay, there are lots of spirits hanging around in the backyard cemetary, but is it too much to ask, why? It's left up to you to guess, but then, they don't give you a satisfying answer. This movie is probably worth viewing just to pick out the references to the ride, and to see a funny Eddie Murphy picking his way through them. It's not too bad for kids, except for one scene that belongs in the Thriller video, that could be frightening to the young ones. Just be sure to "look alive", and beware of the plot holes, which, like Hitchhiking Ghosts, will haunt you all the way home.
Rating:
Summary: A Frighteningly Good film!
Review: Real estate agent Jim Evers misses his anniversary and decides to make it up to his wife by taking the family on a trip to the lake. But, a strange call for Sara regarding the possible sale of a huge mansion. With dollar signs flashing through his mind, Jim convinces Sara and the kids to make a twenty-mintue detour to check out the mansion: Gracey Manor. A storm breaks out, forcing the family to take shelter in the huge, dilapidated house. Once inside, the family is separated, and it's up to Jim to face the haunts of the mansion to break the curse upon the house which threatens his family, especially his wife Sara. Eddie Murphy is great as Jim Evers, but his comedy takes a bit to warm up in the beginning. Marc John Jeffires and Aree Davis are wonderful as the Evers children, Micheal and Megan, and bring much fun and humor to their roles. Terrance Stamp is a ghostly villain as Ramsley, and Nathaniel Parker does a fine job as Master Gracey. Jennifer Tilly does a fine job, as well, as Madame Leota, even though she is given some of the cornier lines in the film. The special effects are incredible, with all the ghosts in the graveyard, the changing portraits, the materialization of the ghosts, and much more. Fans of the "Haunted Mansion" attraction at Disneyland will love all the references to the ride, from the hitch-hiking ghosts and the singing busts to the protrait gallery and even the crow that guides you through the ride. Rick Baker's monster designs are equally incredible. The film moves along nicely, but it does take a bit to get going at the beginning. This is a fun family film, with only a few scenes that may be too frightening for younger children.
Rating: 
Summary: Worst Disney Ride Movie Ever
Review: I was totally disappointed with The Haunted Mansion. If you are a fan of the ride and were impressed with Pirates of the Caribbean, you will probably hate Haunted Mansion. IT really had nothing to do with the ride, other than vague and haphazard references to ride elements. It also had a lot of zombies thrown in and references to spiritual stuff that really just made the movie weird. I'm not sure what Disney was going for here. (...)
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