A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: The Haunted Mansion

Date of original theatrical release: 2003

Details:

Eddie Murphy

Marsha Thomason

Terence Stamp

Nathaniel Parker

Jennifer Tilly

Director: Rob Minkoff

Score: -

The Review: Disney is running 1 for 1 on the conversion of amusement rides into movies.

Pirates of the Caribbean worked quite well with an amusing turn by Johnny Depp and some fantastic special effects; Haunted Mansion fails miserably. Ostensibly a family-rated entry in the "let's stay overnight in a haunted mansion" pseudo-horror genre, this offers neither thrills, chills, plot nor acting.

Eddie Murphy has a mixed track record, having done some really good work (the sharp and funny Beverly Hills Cop series), as well as some abysmal work. Haunted Mansion allows him to fill out the latter category with one of his least interesting performances to date. His real estate agent, Jim Evers, is a smarmy over-the-top caricature that is embarrassing to watch. The only moderately interesting performance is the malevolent butler (Stamp).

Save your money and go to Disneyland; it has to be much more interesting.

(24-Apr-05)

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