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The Haunted Mansion on DVD (2003)

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Average rating: 60%
13278207816
3.0
from 1,240 members
 
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Terence Stamp, Nathanial Parker, Wallace Shawn, Marsha Thomason, Jennifer Tilly
Director: Rob Minkoff
Studio: WALT DISNEY HOME VIDEO
Run time: 90 mins
Certificate: PG
User collections: Good Films!
Genres: Children, Comedy
Languages: English
Released: 21/06/2004
Also Available on: Also Available on: BLU-RAY

Brief synopsis of The Haunted Mansion

Eddie Murphy stars in this spooky, CGI-packed Disney film, based on the famous Disney World attraction. He plays Jerry, a workaholic estate agent who interrupts his family's vacation to check out a remote mansion that's for sale. But soon he and his family are trapped in the haunted house and are screaming for their lives. Terence Stamp is the ghost butler, and Nathaniel Parker is the ghost owner who falls for Jerry's wife, Sara (Marsha Thomason), believing she is the reincarnation of his lost love and providing for both a refreshingly interracial, and frighteningly inter-dimensional romance. Jennifer Tilly has a great bit as a loudmouthed head in the crystal ball; Wallace Shawn and Dina Walters are the ghost servants. Zombies rise up from their graves to attack the living, but generally the film is harmless kid stuff that is bursting with cheerful colour, noise, bloodless shocks and refreshingly bathroom-free humour. Fans of the ride should be pleased, as it hits nearly every bump, from the barbershop quartet busts, to the ghostly passenger in the coach. Murphy hams it up royally and the rest of the cast is up for the challenge, especially Stamp, whose droll line readings provide a perfect balance of menace and mirth. Makeup maestro Rick Baker provided the non-CGI special effects.

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Critics Reviews

Rating of 2 stars out of 5 Radio Times

Nowhere near as successful as Disney's last theme-park-ride-derived movie Pirates of the Caribbean, this third-rate Ghostbusters saddled with a soulless supernatural Romeo and Juliet saga can't escape the limitations of its funfair origins. Eddie Murphy plays a workaholic estate agent who interrupts the family holiday for a visit to a potential sale — a vast mansion that turns out to be haunted by a lovelorn ghost. Director Rob (Stuart Little) Minkoff simply fills in the gaps between the popular ride's best known sections — such as the disembodied head of Madame Leota (a spirited Jennifer Tilly) and some ethereal ballroom dancers — with Murphy's unfunny mugging. If sumptuous photography and lavish production design were all a family-friendly horror comedy needed to get by, this would qualify as an inoffensive hit. However, its uninspired catalogue of fright-less genre clichés fails to conjure even a suspicion of eerie atmosphere.

Halliwell's Film Guide

Yet another Disney film based on a theme park attraction; as an advertisement for the ride, it's a failure, as a movie, it's insufferable.

Sunday Mirror

"...Eddie Murphy brings his best comic talents to the show, and when it comes to blending chills with laughs there is no one better..."

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Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 5 starsfun and entertaining....

williamsgwynfa [Highly rated reviewer] , 20/10/2006

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.

  78 out of 80 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 4 starsAmusing but really only for the kids

Andrew Cavell from Lymington , 24/08/2004

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.

  4 out of 6 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 2 starsAge confusion

sarah943617 from West Midlands , 25/07/2004

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.

  3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 3 starsKids Movie...

A customer from Wirral , 03/08/2004

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.

  3 out of 4 people found this review helpful
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Most Recent Reviews

Rated - 4 stars

A customer from NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE , 23/06/2004

What can you say .. its a typical movie with ghosts and good pyro technics .. eddie murphy does his best to get laughs and in some parts of the movie you do have a good laugh.. but i have found it to be a little of course for murphy .. you get the distinct feeling your watching something like the golden child which by the way i found throughly enjoyable ..

Family rental

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
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Rated - 3 starsmore of the same from eddie murphy

A customer from Devon, England. , 15/11/2004

The Haunted Mansion was a great film for my 10 year old daughter, who knew of Eddie Murphy from Shrek. As an adult old enough to remember the manic Eddie from Beverley Hills Cop, etc I have to say that his over the top style is less funny 20 years on. The sets and special effects are brilliant, and the film is saved by Terence Stamp's dry performance. A good fim for a winter's afternoon with a bucketload of popcorn!

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
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