Haunted Mansion is bland and convoluted. It has its moments, but is mostly boring, predictable, and forgettable. There are too many characters who clutter development while adding nothing substantial. Consequently, protagonists are flat and investment is minimal. There's excessive exposition, tired humor, pointless threads, an uninteresting mystery, inconsistent motivations, and shoehorned drama. The acting is tame, with only Stanfield providing any vulnerability. Unfortunately, despite his skill being very touching, the writing doesn't sufficiently earn these moments so they feel out of place. Ultimately, Haunted Mansion is a tedious commercial that just barely functions as a story.
Technically, Haunted Mansion is dull. Its contradicting tone is neither funny nor scary. The clunky editing rushes emotions yet drags the plot. Its effects rely solely on glossy CGI. The superficial music is blunt and uninspired in its references. Its cinematography has lighting, color, and movement, but is often mediocre or apathetic. The supernatural production designs are sterile and broad. Its sound adds narration, split cuts, stings, smash cuts, distortions, and action that amount to very little. The cast is famous and skilled, but woefully underutilized. Overall, Haunted Mansion is a mild corporate product that feels like an afterthought to its own marketing campaign.
Writing: 3/10
Direction: 4/10
Cinematography: 5/10
Acting: 7/10
Editing: 4/10
Sound: 7/10
Score/Soundtrack: 5/10
Production Design: 6/10
Casting: 8/10
Effects: 5/10
Overall Score: 5.5/10
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