As someone who's followed Disney for years, I had serious doubts—and was very apprehensive—about Justin Simien’s “Haunted Mansion,” the second movie based on the popular theme park attraction. Everything about the project seemed like it would be pointless and terrible, but I ended up being pleasantly surprised by how creative and entertaining the final product is. When a woman (Rosario Dawson) and her son, who's having a tough time at school (Chase Dillon), move into a haunted house in New Orleans, they seek help from people claiming to be experts on spirits to get rid of the supernatural beings living there. They gather a group of oddballs, including a phony exorcist (Owen Wilson), a man obsessed with photographing ghosts (LaKeith Stanfield), a history professor (Danny DeVito), and a medium (Tiffany Haddish). It’s revealed that once you enter the house, you can't leave, or a ghost will follow you home. After a séance, an evil spirit called the Hatbox Ghost (Jared Leto) appears, and he’s collecting souls. If these new friends want to survive, they have to work together before it’s too late. The mythology developed for the film connects well with the theme park ride, feels natural, and should appeal to Disney fans. Almost any element from the attraction is given a satisfying explanation in the movie (Madame Leota's story is my favorite, plus Jamie Lee Curtis is fantastic in her role). I’m eager to return to Disneyland after seeing this film because it will be so much fun to experience the Haunted Mansion with a fresh perspective and new background information. Hidden references are everywhere, and they’re an enjoyable bonus for those who pay close attention. Most elements from the ride are incorporated seamlessly (like the exterior and details specific to both the Florida and California versions), and some of the most recognizable scenes are impressive on a larger scale (the stretching room, the party in the dining room, Constance in the attic). As a fan, I was thrilled by all of this. The film benefits from a talented cast (including strong performances from Stanfield and Dillon) and quirky characters that provide comic relief when things get too intense. There’s a lot of discussion about loss, and some scary moments that might be frightening for younger children. This isn't a typical horror movie, and the combination of humor and emotional depth works really well. Being a major studio production, the obvious product placement is distracting and almost comical, and the ending feels stretched out and overdone. The film could have used some trimming, but I didn’t think it was too long overall. I really enjoyed “Haunted Mansion,” despite its shortcomings. If you're a fan of Disney parks and love the ride, I suspect you will as well. It’s not destined to become an instant classic, but it’s much better than it had any reason to be and is a fun way to spend a couple of hours this summer.

Source on TMDB