The Haunted Mansion (2003) starring Eddie Murphy, Terence Stamp, Nathaniel Parker, Marsha Thomason, Jennifer Tilly, Wallace Shawn, Dina Waters directed by Rob Minkoff Movie Review

The Haunted Mansion (2003)   2/52/52/52/52/5


Eddie Murphy in The Haunted Mansion (2003)

Murphy's Mindless Mansion

Whilst Jim (Eddie Murphy - Daddy Day Care) and Sara Evers (Marsha Thomason - Black Knight) are business partners as well as husband and wife it is Jim's workaholic tendencies which get on her nerves. After returning home late for their anniversary Jim promises them a weekend away from work, that is until they receive a call from the Gracey Mansion which for Jim is too much of an opportunity let him pass him by. But it seems that their being there is more to do with Sara looking just like Mr. Gracey's (Nathaniel Parker) girlfriend who apparently committed suicide when she was young although with the creepy goings on in the mansion they begin to suspect she may have been murdered.

Evidently there is a ride at Disneyworld called The Haunted Mansion, having never been to Disneyworld I have not been on it or seen it or in truth have ever been aware of the said ride. That didn't put me off as Disney have proven that they can take a popular ride and turn it into a popular stand alone movie and so was optimistic that I could watch "The Haunted Mansion" without knowing about the rise. And in fairness you can watch it without any awareness of the ride although I would imagine there are some visual elements as well as characters which will entertain those with that previous knowledge.

Despite this "The Haunted Mansion" did little for me, little surprise as this is a movie which is very much aimed at a much younger audience and delivers the generic sort of humour which will hopefully amuse younger audiences. That means we have a tamed Eddie Murphy delivering quick talk but clean quick talk and some spooky special effects. Basically think of a haunted house movie, where the mansion has hidden rooms, make sure the humour and the sassiness of the characters is okay for children and make sure it is rich in look with plenty of haunted house detail. But despite an entertaining performance from Terence Stamp make it a movie with nothing to entertain adults.

What this all boils down to is that "The Haunted Mansion" did nothing for me and was just another typical comedy aimed at a young audience with lots of humour and special effects. As such on one level it works but because it is mind numbing for grown ups it fails on another.


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