The Haunted Mansion Reviews

[Highly rated reviewer]

fun and entertaining....

this film starring eddie murphy is very funny, and our whole family really enjoyed it. just one word of warning however is that my 9 year old daughter Bethany found it a bit scary in parts. so perhaps younger children should be monitored a little bit.

Amusing but really only for the kids

First off lets be totally honest here this is very much a kids movie and is unlikely to hold the attention of anybody over twelve, but that?s ok after all its not really trying to be anything else, and what can you expect for a movie that?s based on a ride at a Disney theme park.

An example of Mr Murphy?s softer style, this movie won?t offend anyone but may have younger kids hiding behind the sofa, one scene where to dead come back to life is particularly well done and quite creepy.

It won?t cause you to think hard and is more of an amusing romp than a hilarious adventure; Terrence stamp is excellent though as the very English butler.

If you are looking for Eddie Murphy at his funniest then carry on your search but if you want to entertain (young) kids for the afternoon you could do much worse.

Well made and presented.

Age confusion

whilst we enjoyed this film i suspect that the director/producer wasn't to sure of which way the film should go. should we aim it at kids or should we aim it at adults. its down to this uncertainty that film hits neither of these targets, there are some great moments (the singing heads being my highlight) but all in all its just boils down to being an ok movie that will rapidly find its way into bargain buckets all over the country.

Kids Movie...

Although I watched this film it is definitely one for the kids as it doesn't really hold an adult's attention. I still can't get used to watching Eddie Murphy as an semi straight actor and I kept waiting for him to say something hilarious!! My five year old was hiding behind a cushion at some of the scarier moments so it is maybe not suitable for the very young.

On the whole though an entertaining children's movie.

Scary for little ones

Amusing childrens film. But we didn't think it suitable for our 4 year old unsupervised.

Ever been on one of those 'Ghost Train' Amusement Park rides where the car stops every now and then for some cheesy dialogue explaining the paper thin plot, before moving you on to the next set-piece of special - and not so special - effects?

If so, you have absolutely no reason for renting this film.

Eddie Murphy does a passable job - under the circumstances - but the rest of the movie reeks of cheap burgers, candy-floss, and the staff from the gift shop doing a turn in costume, before rushing back to sell over-sized cowboy hats.

What's next from Disney? A two-hour saga based on roundabout ride?

Well, it's an ok watch, but this is never going to become a classic. Eddy Murphy is just a bit too out of place in this - you can tell he's acting. And as for Terence Stamp, well I guess hamming it up now and again must be a relief from real acting, but really it didn't do justice to his talent.

As a thinly disguised advert for the Disnery ride of the same name I suppose it works, but pay for it? No thank you.

It's hard to rate a movie like this. I did used to love Eddit Murphy, he made some great films. But this one....well, it didn't hit the right spot at all. Adults will find this movie boring and stupid, although the special effects are quite good and there are some funny moments. Kids, well younger ones, will probably find it quite a funny, and maybe a little scary, movie. Older kids will probably get fed up after a while and want the Playstation or Xbox on instead. Overall it was a bad movie, and I hope Eddie Murphy sticks to animated films from now on, since he's found his calling now...;-)

Disney Family Feature

I think the key words are Disney Family Feature for this Eddie Murphy comedy. The film has the look and feel of a 70's Disney Film (think Apple Dumpling Gang, Herbie the Love Bug, Gus the Football Kicking Mule) rather than Pirates of the Carribean, Mary Poppins or a Hayley Mills feature. This is a very family feature and should please the 13yr and unders. Murphy is Murphy but the supporting characters are enjoyable particularly Terrance Stamp and Jennifer Tilly. Enjoyable and harmless enough.

too scary for kids, too bland for adults

I knew this hadn;t done well at the flicks but not why. The film is an ok watch but it doesn;t know where it's pitched. I thought my kids would watch it, but after deciding pirate of the carribean was 'probably' too scary for them this is definately so, and it didn;t need to be. For adults the story is a bit shallow (ok so it's disney). A shame because it was an ok film, reasonable acting, nice effects and good tie in to the ride. The bloop reel was a bit lame (don;t expect much) and the only deleted scene should definately stayed in - it would have explained some story plot.