'Muppets Haunted Mansion' a Treat, But No Classic

by Aprille Hanson-Spivey 

Photo: Disney

Disney’s “Muppets Haunted Mansion” Halloween special isn’t exactly a classic Muppets offering, but it is a fun, spooky watch for both adults and children. 
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Released on Disney+, the 52-minute special was based off the Disney theme park ride attraction the Haunted Mansion. It’s the first Muppets Halloween special and centers around the unflappable The Great Gonzo receiving an invitation to stay in the Haunted Mansion where his favorite magician, The Great MacGuffin, vanished 100 years ago. He brings along Pepe the King Prawn, who completely misunderstands that they’re not going to an exclusive celebrity party, but instead a frightening challenge to survive the night. They’ve opted for this adventure instead of attending the annual Muppets Halloween party, with Kermit imploring Gonzo that he doesn’t always have to prove he’s “great” by these stunts and that they love him no matter what. 

Nevertheless, he’s determined to go and they’re picked up by a hearse driver (Yvette Nicole Brown) who doubts they’ll need to be picked up in the morning -- no one ever is, after all. 

They’re greeted first by the cemetery caretaker (Darren Criss) who warns them to be quiet and not to wake the dead. Criss leads a musical number “Rest In Peace” featuring celebrity ghosts -- the late Ed Asner (one of his final roles; the film is dedicated to his memory), Jeannie Mai, Chrissy Metz, Alfonso Ribeiro, Danny Trejo and Sasheer Zamata. 

The duo soon meet creepy house host (Will Arnett) who is pretty skeptical that the pair will survive the night. They are then left to navigate their way through the mansion, with it’s shifting walls and all around frightening vibe, while meeting a cast of spooky characters -- the screaming devil goat is a quick favorite. 

The Muppets are at their best when cracking one liners -- making Pepe’s role pretty vital to make sure the adults are entertained -- and musical numbers. The best original is the jazzy “Life Hereafter,” led by Kermit and the Muppet crew, meant to be ghosts resembling Gonzo and Pepe’s friends, along with Arnett. It only rivals the opening and ending music of “Dancing in the Moonlight,” which is just a fun popular song everyone can get behind. 

Other guest appearances include John Stamos, who gives Pepe a scare to realize this really isn’t a celebrity party, and the terrifying ghost Constance Hatchaway (Taraji P. Henson), a killer bride who tries to marry Pepe. 

Nothing scares Gonzo until he enters room 999, with the numbers falling as the door shuts to reveal 666. The room is meant to trap inhabitants in their greatest fears and Gonzo realizes he is most scared that people will not like him unless he’s doing wild stunts. It’s what Kermit tried to explain before he went on this adventure, that they’ll love their friend no matter what, but it takes facing it in a haunting way for him to understand. It’s an important message for every viewer. 

After Gonzo’s daring rescue of Pepe from the evil bride’s clutches, they escape the house as the sun rises. The house host reveals he is in fact, the ghost of The Great MacGuffin -- which most viewers likely knew immediately when he appeared on screen, but it’ll likely be a nice surprise for the kiddos watching. 

It isn’t a Muppets special/movie that is a must-watch each year, like the classic “A Muppets Christmas Carol,” but it’s a fun treat and worth watching at least once.