Disney's Haunted Mansion: A Nostalgic Joyride or Cinematic Misstep?
Disney has embarked on yet another incarnation of its famous theme park ride, The Haunted Mansion, and this time has aimed to visually provoking the nostalgia of the ride aficionados straight onto the silver screen. Directed by Justin Simien and feeling the pulse from Katie Dippold’s pen, the Haunted Mansion is a horror-comedy feature starring acclaimed actors Lakeith Stanfield, Rosario Dawson, Owen Wilson, Tiffany Haddish, Danny Devito, and a promising young star Chase Dillion.
The plot whirls around the fascinating and uncanny life of Ben Matthais, famously portrayed by Stanfield, who once was an astrophysicist and now conducts ghost tours in New Orleans. His life changes dramatically when he becomes associated with a haunted mansion and a duo who want to prove the presence of ghostly energy. Interestingly, a suit of armor relentlessly follows them around the house. A turn of events forces them to assemble with Father Kent (Wilson), local medium Harriet (Haddish), and historian Bruce Davis (Devito) to tackle the ghostly menace.
The film's promise fades quickly after a promising start, as the Haunted Mansion descends into a torrent of predictability and good old, run-of-the-mill plot conduct. The gag seeds sown earlier in the movie try to blossom amid the grief theme the narrative clumsily gropes towards, but the close-ended approach towards the subject robs the storyline of much-required depth.
As we delve further into the film, we explore a vivid depiction of visual wonder, much credit owed to Darren Gilford’s authentic production design that gives us a nostalgia ride. The blend of practical effects and special CGI work promises to be a feast for those who have enjoyed the iconic attraction at the theme parks.
While a dedicated fan of the film won't dread journeying through this visual maze, one can't ignore the misstep that Stanfield’s casting surmises to be. Famous for his dramatic projections, the Stanfield brand requires introspection as he comes off as rather out of place in this family-oriented film. On the contrary, the interplay between Rosario Dawson and Chase Dillion brings forth a playful and charming narrative, thanks to their palpable chemistry.
Let's also address the wig in the room. Literally. Flimsy wigs on Stanfield and Dawson have us stifling chuckles even when the narrative hurdles through an otherwise innocuous sequence. Bad hair, people. Bad hair is not just a distraction; it's a comedy spinner.
To sum it up like a wobbly roller-coaster ride, Disney’s Haunted Mansion seems like a decent bet for a casual family sit-in at home, but could be a steep rise to the $15.99 New York cinematic experience. Die-hard fans of the original Disneyland ride may be able to overlook the bumps and jolts, but the film's struggles to consistently intrigue are too glaring for a smooth ride. After all, we should expect to laugh and dodge chills simultaneously when we sign up for a Disney horror-comedy, shouldn't we?
Finally, for the price of hairstyles and chills, I say Disney should have probably let this hair-raising tale stay in its ride. But hey, what do I know? I'm just a writer with a habit of speaking in puns. I guess there’s no turning back now from the cinematic ghost tour.
