Muppets Haunted Mansion

“Muppets Haunted Mansion” feels more classically Muppet-y than anything that has been produced in nearly 30 years. This is the special that many have been waiting for since Disney finally acquired the characters. And trust me, it was worth the wait.

Written with an exacting knowledge of the ride by Bill Baretta, Kelly Younger and director Kirk Thatcher, “Muppet Haunted Mansion” is the first Disney+ Muppets show to do right by the Muppets.

Muppets Haunted Mansion is trifling silliness. It inspires some smiles, if not out-loud laughter. Call it a slight amusement then. Please don’t take that as a deterrent — Disney’s recent Muppets fare has kind of lowered our expectations, and this is perfectly acceptable fodder for an evening of family togetherness.

Disney+’s new holiday special Muppets Haunted Mansion doesn’t quite feel like a cash-in violation, but definitely feels like a disappointment. ... Muppets Haunted Mansion has almost no story, makes sparing use of its guest cast and, at only 49 minutes, still feels pointlessly padded.

The film doesn’t make full use of the Muppets or even the haunted mansion. The actors who show up are at least in good form though. Especially Taraji P. Henson as a black widow looking for her next victim. As well as Will Armett as the host of the mansion.

Striking a fair and entertaining balance between Muppet tradition and modern Disney business, this holiday special delivers on a good time that will please young and old Muppet fans alike!

Everything about this looks like a fun and funny Muppet outing. The underlying story works well to explain the tying of two franchises together. There is an insane amount of deep Haunted Mansion references, including a joke about the gift shop outside and the ride breaking down so often. Unfortunately, Muppets Haunted Mansion just isn't fun, and the jokes largely don't land. Strangely, there is a reoccurring joke that is a straight rip-off of a joke that started as a deleted scene from "Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure" and was later used in a standalone short called "Ominous Warning". No one from that production seems to be involved in this, but hey, Disney isn't going to sue itself. Kids may find it fun. Longtime Muppet enthusiast will probably be disappointed by Disney... again.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

This was just a 50 minute advertisement for the Haunted Mansion. The jokes and humor were cheap. It not feel like the good ole muppets I’m familiar with.