Haunted Mansion review: Can Disney finally crack the code on its star-studded second try?
Disney's second try at adapting its infamous ride into cinema boasts a far more glamorous lineup with the likes of Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson and an unexpected appearance by Jared Leto. But it simply proves that big stars can't sell a problematic production.
Watch the trailer for Disney's Haunted Mansion
Haunted Mansion reveals the dark and twisted tales behind the iconic ride at Disneyland, whose lore in itself has become canon for countless fans all of which eagerly await its on-screen comeback.
But many will be sorely disappointed.
The newest edition, directed by Dear White People creator Justin Simien, had the makings for a cinematic masterpiece with Jamie Lee Curtis, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Tiffany Haddish and Owen Wilson at the helm.
The cast’s bizarre mix was made even more astounding by the addition of Suicide Squad star Jared Leto as the iconic Hatbox Ghost which fans embraced, whole-heartedly trusting the creators in charge.
However, the movie lets down many of its stars with the most obvious snub being Rosario Dawson who has almost no space to show off her legendary acting prowess as she’s stuck in a damsel-in-distress cliche.
At certain times it almost seems like the actress herself can feel just how much of her talent is going to waste but with her highly-anticipated Star Wars series releasing next month she can hopefully regain her ground as a Hollywood heavyweight.
Similarly, Tiffany Haddish and Jamie Lee Curtis’ roles as psychic mediums are on the brink of being caricatures rather than characters alongside some awkward and stunted attempts at comedy between them.
A saving grace for the cast is LaKeith Stanfield’s incredible portrayal of Ben Matthias as the Atlanta star leaves every ounce of passion and moving reflections of grief he has on-screen.
The storyline itself may not be as intricate or detailed as many adult Disney fans were hoping for but this also offers a gleeful sense of nostalgia for children’s cinema of the past, when the path to defeating evil was simple and movie plots could be easily followed by even the most distracted young viewers.
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In between thought-provoking, mind-expanding movies like Oppenheimer and Barbie, it’s a nice bit of respite to not have to walk out of the cinema as a completely changed person.
The visual effects of Justin’s creation offer a slick, aesthetically appealing finish that strikes the perfect balance between the vibrant whimsy of a Disney children’s movie and the somber overtones of its horror base.
This is such a relief in a time where many recent releases leave viewers squinting at the screen trying to pick out shapes in the dark.
From its A-list cast to its slew of promises to die-hard Disney fanatics, Haunted Mansion built itself up on a pedestal of what now seems to be wet cardboard but it could be a much-needed reprieve for those looking to simply sit back and relax in a cinema filled with heart-wrenching, gut-punching blockbusters this summer.
