Again in 2010, Disney made the choice to remake the 2003 horror comedy movie, Haunted Mansion. The movie was created in a plight to provide Disney’s theme park rides movies of the identical identify (together with Pirates of the Caribbean), and total, it informed a riveting albeit easy story of a troubled household and a darkish, supernatural love.
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When the remake of the movie was first being mentioned, Guillermo Del Toro was on the helm as a producer and author; he wished to create one thing – in typical Guillermo Del Toro model – that was scary and enjoyable. He was certain as hell going to ensure that the ‘scary’ would scare audiences from their seats, and naturally, Del Toro quickly sufficient discovered himself not engaged on the mission (jogs my memory a whole lot of a Silent Hill-shaped mission…).
As a substitute, Katie Dippold – a author of Parks and Recreation and 2016’s less-than-loved Ghostbusters reboot – was introduced on board as author.
And Justien Simien, director of Expensive White Individuals, was launched as director. They’re not Guillermo del Toro, however they nonetheless had the potential to breathe life into this star-studded remake and its paranormal love story once more.
I’m unhappy to say, nonetheless, they did something however when the Haunted Mansion remake got here to Disney+ in 2023. Starring Lakeith Stanfield, Danny DeVito, Owen Wilson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tiffany Haddish, and plenty of extra large names, I so desperately wished this movie to be good. Haunted Mansion (2003) wasn’t a cinematic masterpiece by any means, nevertheless it was easy, enjoyable, and a scary family-friendly expertise. It was wholly entertaining, and that’s precisely what the remake is just not.
Haunted Mansion (2023) stays devoted to the unique movie, however relatively than a household visiting this spooky setting for a visit to carry them nearer collectively, we’re offered with a hodge-podge group of strangers which have all wound up right here for various causes. It’s definitely an try to modernise the plot, making issues really feel extra akin to Knives Out than Haunted Mansion, however the finish result's so many plot threads and fancy results that total, there’s nothing actually that price being attentive to. I don’t understand how a movie manages to have a lot happening whereas additionally having nothing happening on the similar time, however Haunted Mansion (2023) manages simply that. It has loads of visible spectacles and a stellar solid going for it, with out a lot else, and even these don’t put it aside.
There are some relatively poignant moments wherein Lakeith Stanfield’s character – an astrophysicist mourning his late spouse – discusses grief, and these are highly effective. Moreover, Danny DeVito breathes life into any scene that he’s in, as he normally does, nevertheless it’s simply not sufficient to carry Haunted Mansion (2003)’s magic again from the lifeless. I used to be finally offered with a remake that had misplaced all of the attraction of the unique, that had nothing going for it however its star-studded solid and a few flashy visuals. It’s not humorous, it’s not scary, and most significantly, it’s not entertaining.
It has its moments, however all in all, Haunted Mansion (2023) is a big disappointment that doesn’t interact its viewers or actually do something in any respect that’s price writing dwelling about. Contemplating The Muppets’ Haunted Mansion managed to evoke extra laughs than this, this movie ought to’ve stayed locked within the tomb that they unearthed it from.
In case you’re interested by how Haunted Mansion (2023) performs out, it's accessible to observe on Disney+ with a subscription to the service.
