I am playing catch up again after being away on holiday - I've not been ignoring anybody and will ge...
I am playing catch up again after being away on holiday - I've not been ignoring anybody and will get around to rating again now! : )
Member since:01.08.2005
Reviews:214
Members who trust:114
I do love most of the Disney films whether it be animated or not and there are also certain actors that I like as do most people - one of these actors is Eddie Murphy and so it is probably no surprise that I would enjoy Disney's 'The Haunted Mansion'. Released in 2003 the rides at the Disney parks of the same name have elements of the film that are exactly the same.
The film was written by David Berenbaum and directed by Rob Minkoff
The story: The Evers family are off on a trip but head of the family and real estate agent Jim, finds out about an opportunity to view an old mansion which is just slightly off the route they are going. Unable to turn down a chance to view the property which could make him lots of money, he persuades his Wife Sara and two children Michael and Megan, to tag along as a quick viewing. However things don't go to plan when they get stuck in the mansion for the night due to a heavy storm. From the creepy staff to the weird goings on it seems this mansion is anything but normal! Will the family be able to keep themselves out of harm until morning?
The cast: As you can probably guess from my opening, the films main star is obviously Eddie Murphy who plays Jim. There is plenty of comedy moments with him involved during the film which makes it fun especially if you are a fan of his. The other main characters are listed below -
Jim - Eddie Murphy Sara - Marsha Thomason Michael - Mark John Jeffries Megan - Aree Davis Master Gracey - Nathaniel Parker Ramsley - Terence Stamp Madame Leota - Jennifer Tilly
I didn't really know any of the other actresses at the time when I first watched this film but, since then the actress who plays Sara went on to appear in Lost and the actress behind Madame Leota is none other than the woman who plays the Bride of Chucky! The other big face in this film is Terence Stamp who actually has quite a good part of the quirky butler.
Extras: My DVD comes with a variety of extras as do all the new edition Disney films and this one has a fair few in comparison to some of them along with some exclusive for PC users.
The TV extras are -
The haunted mansion - secrets revealed Anatomy of a scene - ghosts in the graveyard Disney's DVD virtual ride - The haunted mansion Deleted scenes Outtakes reel Raven 'superstition' video Audio commentaries
These are the PC extras -
The history of the haunted mansion attraction Morphing ghost host maker Desktop animated wallpaper and screensavers Photo galleries Enhanced virtual mansion tour
As you can see there are quite a few and a lot are something a lot of the youngsters would love - also I always like it when they do any behind the scene type ones for the rides and stuff so there is even stuff I would watch which is a bonus!
Overall opinion: I do think the film is good but I realise it probably wouldn't appeal to everyone especially if you don't like the way Eddie Murphy is as an actor - I on the other hand thinks this adds to the whole film and find it amusing and fun. I can imagine children would like it too although I'm not sure if they were too young it might be a little scary which is why this film has a 'PG' rating rather than the standard 'U' that most Disney films end up rated! Overall I think it is a good one to sit down and watch as a whole family as then the adults won't have to watch another animated film!
The DVD is available to buy from various online and high street stores with prices starting at around the £5 mark which is a bargain if you ask me!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Christopher Ettridge, Victor McGuire, Emma Amos, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Elizabeth Carling
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Good review of the film, although I see this has been posted in the category for the Blu-Ray DVD, but mentions nothing about the new Blu-Ray format. Given that this has been posted in this specialised category, I would like to know about the quality of the new format.
Expired-Account 05.10.2008 20:36
Sounds pretty good but not heard of this before now
Lush production design and sparkling special effects makeThe Haunted Mansionpretty to look ... more
at. Terence Stamp, as a malevolent ghost ofa butler, provides a suitable air of menace as he dematerialises to and fro. Marsha Thomason is lovely as a real estat...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Lush production design and sparkling special effects makeThe Haunted Mansionpretty to look ... more
at. Terence Stamp, as a malevolent ghost of a butler, provides a suitable air of menace as he dematerialises to and fro. Marsha Thomason is lovely as a real esta...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
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Get ready for a thrilling afterlife when Walt Disney Pictures presents a funfilled, ... more
fright-packed comedy adventure that's loaded with eye-popping special effects and hair-raising laughs. Real estate agent Jim Evers and his family come face-to-face with...
![The Haunted Mansion [DVD] [2004]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78513821.jpg "The Haunted Mansion [DVD] [2004]")
Sep 29th, 2008
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