REVIEW: HAUNTED MANSION

3/5

Mansion On The Hill. 

123 Mins. Starring: LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Chase W. Dillon, Dan Levy, Jamie Lee Curtis & Jared Leto. Director: Justin Simien. On: Disney +. 

Disney + have debuted a big-three of summer movies on their streaming service this week, for all those who wait for the home cinema experience after the curtain call of big-screen blockbusters like 'The Little Mermaid' (*fins up*). Just in time for Halloween, even though that season has passed, and pumpkin lattes have given way to gingerbread ones, as tis the season for Christmastime tidings in shopfronts and decorations all around town. Scary season giving way to the romantic couple one like it never ever happened. Like it was cancelled similar to cosplay in Shibuya this year. Even so, we can still enjoy scary hours this weekend like the Carpenter who isn't Jesus for these hell sent classics. Along with the fiery 'Elemental' Pixar latest, Disney Plus bring us 'A Haunting In Venice' for their Poirot deal and their latest 'Haunted Mansion' ride-along like a 'Jungle Cruise', and of course the sea-changing 'Pirates Of The Caribbean', captained by Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow, for all you Disneyland park-goers from California to Tokyo (Chiba).

Eddie Murphy's 'Haunted Mansion' was 20 years ago (2003). Feel like it's old yet. Now, 'Atlanta's' very own LaKeith Stanfield leads an all-star cast featuring Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Chase W. Dillon, Dan Levy, Jamie Lee Curtis and Jared Leto through this haunted house on the hill. Not to mention some classic cameos to cackle at and some ghost-busting special effects bound to give you goosebumps like when you saw another big-three in those 'Hocus Pocus' witches return for their highly-anticipated, long-awaited sequel last year. This supernatural horror is helmed by Justin Simien with fond family comedy classic tropes to trick your treat. Knocking on the door, the 'Dear White People' and 'Bad Hair' director of our time gives us a good costume that really fits. This marvellous mansion in all its dark decadence also serves as an instrumental love letter to the classic city of New Orleans, Louisiana like an R.E.M. number that is 'Automatic For The People'. NOLA, after Katrina, was used a lot by movie studios for filming locations, as Hollywood pumped money back into the swamp. But this 'Mansion' on the hill is one of the first movies that displays this decadent city in all its glory, front and centre on the big-screen. Exorcizing the dark matters and the previous development hell following the great Guillermo del Toro's departure. Although, like his 'Pinocchio' variant from Disney, we're curious to see what he had in his creature cabinet.

Guiding you on the tour of this ride, astrophysicist LaKeith Stanfield focuses perfectly on a candid role for the 'Judas' of the 'Black Messiah' Oscar nominated actor. The 'Sorry To Bother You', 'Get Out' and 'Dope', 'Uncut Gem' is New Orleans to the bone here and the tip-top tater tot. Especially when he talks about the good times with a lost love as grief haunts his heart and bruised soul. It's a deeply felt and nuanced performance, that we'd previously say, "especially for a Disney movie". But let's actually take a moment to think of all that Disney has done for the movie industry in its century anniversary. Especially the family cinema-going one. Helping children deal with complex problems like 'Bambi's' grief, this too is a 'Haunted' moving meditation on love and loss with an acting boss taking the lead. But he gets by with a little help from stellar support like the comedy gold of Tiffany Haddish looking into a crystal globe. Or Owen Wilson's GQ wild west priest, on a tear recently with 'Loki' and his Wes Anderson fare. The blonde locks are back to "WOW" you again. 

Want more heroes? Then how about the legendary Danny DeVito fresh off the size of 'Dumbo's' live action ears? Or the real lead of this piece, despite the billing, 'Ahsoka' herself, Rosario Dawson on the summer of her career. Mothering scene-stealer and future of acting, Chase W. Dillon. Acing the assignment amongst the halls of star-studded fame in this mansion. Not to mention a rogue's gallery that even freaks dressed like clowns would not squirt water at. Speaking of which, an almost unrecognizable, Jared Leto is here with a classic character that makes 'Morbius' look like he's had a decent meal. Not to mention Oscar winner and 'Halloween' legend Jamie Lee Curtis giving us everything, everywhere, all at once. But just wait until Dan Levy's character arrives up 'Schitt's Creek'. Best wishes and warm regards to the horror season. Because this night at the mansion is a thriller. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Haunted Mansion (2003)', 'Hocus Pocus 2', 'A Haunting In Venice'.