Corporate Line: When a man (Murphy) and his family encounter a ghost while visiting a haunted house during a job interview, he learns the value of family, and the lesson that he should make sure he never neglects them. Based upon the popular Disney theme park attraction.
The Good: The Haunted Mansion looks good and is a visual treat for kids—the makeup and effects are fantastic.
The Bad: The screenwriting is sub-par. You have to wonder if it was written to fill holes where the effects were meant to go–as if someone arrived with a storyboard and said ‘we want this effect, and we’re going to do a cool scene like this, and then for the ending I want it to go like this—now write a script.’ In between all of these questionable scenes there is nothing but bread—no meat.
There isn’t a reason this film was made other than to make money and hope to bank on the success of the Pirates of the Caribbean. Also it’s another chance for Eddie Murphy to attempt to save a film. As usually history repeats and this movie sinks.
DVD Features: Here is the conundrum—how can a movie so bad have so many cool extras? There is an interesting set of conversations with the director, producer, and screenwriter–funny how it’s more interest to watch people talk than Eddie Murphy act.
There are nice features like “The Making Of The Mansion”–a behind-the-scenes look at making of the Haunted Mansion and Anatomy of a Scene where you are taken behind the visual effects.
There are cool interactive features that allow you to morph your picture into a ghost. There are interactive rides like the Haunt and more.
Frankly: The finale is lackluster leaving a bitter taste. Eddie Murphy gets off another predictable role. The only booing will be from anyone who buys this.
+ Charlie Craine
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