Casper (1995)

Director:

Brad Silberling

Writers (WGA):

Joseph Oriolo (characters)
Sherri Stoner (written by) ...

Release Date:

26 May 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

Get An Afterlife

Plot:

A paranormal expert and his daughter bunk in an abandoned house populated by 3 mischievous ghosts and one friendly one.

Plot Keywords:

Teenager | Supernatural Powers | Widower | Friendship | Humor

Awards:

4 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Chauncey Leopardi	...	Nicky
Spencer Vrooman	...	Andreas
Malachi Pearson	...	Casper (McFadden) (voice)
Cathy Moriarty	...	Carrigan Crittenden
Eric Idle	...	Paul 'Dibbs' Plutzker
Ben Stein	...	Mr. Rugg
Don Novello	...	Father
Fred Rogers	...	Mr. Rogers (as Mr. Rogers)
Terry Murphy	...	Herself ('Hard Copy')
Bill Pullman	...	Dr. James Harvey
Christina Ricci	...	Kathleen 'Kat' Harvey
Ernestine Mercer	...	Harvey Patient Being Interviewed
Doug Bruckner	...	Reporter (voice) (as Douglas J.O. Bruckner)
Joe Nipote	...	Stretch (voice)
Joe Alaskey	...	Stinkie (voice)

MPAA:

Rated PG for mild language and thematic elements.

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | South Korea:All | Netherlands:6 (re-rating) | Iceland:L | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G (TV rating) | Australia:PG (original rating) | Chile:TE | Finland:K-10/7 | France:U | Germany:6 (w) | Netherlands:AL | Peru:PT | Portugal:M/6 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:PG | USA:PG (certificate #33785)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

This was the first film with a computer-animated title character.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Dr. James Harvey is rolled down the stairs in the carpet, he starts with his head facing towards the stairs, but lands with his head facing the other way.

Quotes:

Dr. Raymond Stantz: [runs out of the house frantic] Who you gonna call? Someone else.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Bob Saget/TLC (#20.19)" (1995)

Soundtrack:

Hard Copy Ball Logo

Beautiful and emotional tale

I remember seeing this movie as a kid, and I loved it even then. I was a fan to the Casper cartoons, and to me, this was a great movie. As a kid, it was just entertaining. Looking at it again as I am older, I now love this movie more than just because it's about my favorite friendly ghost. This movie does a good job clenching the issue of death and either letting it go and hang onto it as a ghost with unfinished business. The atmosphere, although often times comical (which is how it is with the cartoons too XD), has a really deep and emotional air to it, as we look at Dr. Harvey and Kat's loss at the wife/mother's death, as well as Casper's mourning for his life and loneliness as a ghost. The music itself is very beautiful, and the set gives a perfect background for both spooky and sentimental moments. If you're one who is looking for a good emotional ghost story, this is a great example, even though it was based on a cartoon. If you're looking for something comical, well, the three ghosts Stretch, Fatso, and Stinky are there to provide laughs, as they really do seem to be having a ball being floating ethereal beings capable of shifting themselves into horrific (and hilarious) shapes.

I don't remember much from the Casper cartoons, but it's not like you can totally base an entire movie on just those. The plots for the cartoons vary, and this movie could be counted as some sort of canon, I suppose. Either way, it does a good job capturing the lonely, friendly ghost that is Casper on the big screen (and TV set).

Go ahead and rent the movie; I'm looking forward to searching for a DVD for it so I can watch it again and again. I love it. I totally recommend this for everyone, kids and grownups alike.