Casper

( 3 )

Overview

Based on the popular cartoon character, this family-oriented "ghost story" is about a not-so-scary spirit who bonds with a little girl Christina Ricci. The eternally irritable Ms. Carrigan Cathy Moriarty discovers that the only thing she's been left in her recently departed father's will is a rickety old house in New England. Naturally, the woman is furious about this, until her "close personal friend" and assistant, Dibbs Eric Idle of Monty Python fame, discovers a secret message that a treasure may be concealed...
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Overview

Based on the popular cartoon character, this family-oriented "ghost story" is about a not-so-scary spirit who bonds with a little girl Christina Ricci. The eternally irritable Ms. Carrigan Cathy Moriarty discovers that the only thing she's been left in her recently departed father's will is a rickety old house in New England. Naturally, the woman is furious about this, until her "close personal friend" and assistant, Dibbs Eric Idle of Monty Python fame, discovers a secret message that a treasure may be concealed somewhere in the house. The two take off for Maine, only to learn that the house is haunted by Casper "the friendly ghost" and his three ghostly uncles Stinky, Stretch, and Fatso. After futilely recruiting an exorcist Don Novello, more or less reviving his Father Guido Sarducci character from Saturday Night Live and a "professional ghost exterminator" Dan Aykroyd, she brings in a "ghost psychiatrist" Bill Pullman and his daughter Kat Ricci. Innocently attracted to the young girl, Casper befriends Kat as they try to save the ghosts' home from the evil Carrigan. Eye-popping special effects highlight this magical story that touches albeit lightly on the theme of what lies at the heart of human desires. Clint Eastwood, Rodney Dangerfield, Mel Gibson and The Crypt Keeper of Tales from the Crypt all make cameos as apparitions in the mirror Bill Pullman looks into in the house.
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Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - Donald Liebenson
All Casper ever wanted was a friend, and he found a bunch of them in executive producer Steven Spielberg and the special-effects wizards at Industrial Light and Magic. They teamed up to bring the friendly ghost to wondrous, um, life, in this 1995 live-action fantasy. Bill Pullman (Sleepless in Seattle, While You Were Sleeping) stars as Dr. James Harvey, a therapist who ministers to the "living impaired." In search of hidden treasure, Carrigan Crittendon (Cathy Moriarty), a real witch, summons Dr. Harvey to rid the condemned Whipstaff Manor of its mischievous poltergeists. Lonely Casper finds a kindred misfit spirit in Harvey's motherless young daughter, Kat (Christina Ricci). The Ghostly Trio (the aptly named Stretch, Stinkie, and Fatso) supply the supernatural slapstick and rude noises. Monty Python member Eric Idle is a real scream as Crittendon's put-upon accomplice. Clint Eastwood, Rodney Dangerfield, Mel Gibson, the Crypt Keeper, and Dan Aykroyd -- as a ghostbuster who suggests Crittendon call "someone else" -- supply haunting cameos. References to death and the afterlife may be upsetting to younger viewers, but, mild profanity aside, this treat will be just the trick for ‘tweens and teens looking to scare up some frighteningly fun entertainment.
All Movie Guide - Robert Firsching
Maybe it's time to start looking at modern Hollywood films from a different perspective. Certainly, the story in this youth-oriented fantasy is nothing to write home about: a haunted mansion containing treasure, a little girl who befriends an amiable young ghost, and various greedy and oafish adults acting like morons. Standard stuff. But the selling points here are the film's visual elements, which take the popular cartoon character and bring him to computer-generated life (afterlife?) with marvelously handled special effects and a production design that's a joy to behold. Other than a few unnecessarily prurient double entendres (which young kids probably won't catch anyway), this is a visual delight despite its workmanlike plot.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 9/23/2003
  • UPC: 096896219336
  • Original Release: 1995

    • Rating:

  • Source: Universal Studios
  • Presentation: Pan & Scan / Clam Shell
  • Format: VHS

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Christina Ricci Kat Harvey
Bill Pullman Dr. Harvey
Cathy Moriarty Carrigan Crittenden
Eric Idle Dibs
Malachi Pearson Voice Only
Joe Nipote Voice Only
Joe Alaskey Voice Only
J.J. Anderson Student
Dan Aykroyd Doctor Raymond Stantz (uncredited)
Amy Brenneman Amelia Harvey
Rodney Dangerfield Himself, Himself (uncredited)
Clint Eastwood Himself (uncredited)
Brad Garrett Voice Only
Mel Gibson Himself (uncredited)
Garette Ratliff Henson Vic
John Kassir Voice Only
Chauncey Leopardi Nicky
Ernestine Mercer Woman Being Interviewed
Don Novello Father Guido Sarducci
Mister Rogers Himself
Devon Sawa Casper in Person
Mike Simmrin Phantom
Ben Stein Rugg
Wesley Thompson Mr Curtis
Spencer Vrooman Andreas
Jessica Wesson Amber
Technical Credits
Brad Silberling Director
Steven E. Andrews Asst. Director
Seth Arnett Stunts
Rosemary Brandenberg Set Decoration/Design
Dean Cundey Cinematographer
Paul Deason Associate Producer
Leslie Dilley Production Designer
Jeff Franklin Co-producer
James Horner Score Composer, Songwriter
Gary Hymes Stunts
Industrial Light & Magic Special Effects
Michael Kahn Editor
Michael Lantieri Special Effects
Daniel Maltese Art Director
Gerald R. Molen Producer
Jerry Molen Executive Producer
Jeffrey A. Montgomery Producer
Nancy Nayor Casting
Phil Nibbelink Animator
Rosanna Norton Costumes/Costume Designer
Deanna Oliver Screenwriter
Christina Smith Makeup
Steven Spielberg Executive Producer
Raymond Stella Camera Operator
Sheri Stoner Screenwriter
Ed Verreaux Art Director
Steve Waterman Co-producer
Charles Wilborn Musical Direction/Supervision
Colin Wilson Producer
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 3 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(1)

4 Star

(2)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

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Sort by: Showing all of 3 Customer Reviews

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    Tim Burton's Corpse Bride
    Young Frankenstein
    The Nightmare Before Christmas
    The Monster Squad
    The Addams Family

    Classic!

    Originally, I was going to just come on here and rate this, but after having seen that no one had ever bothered to submit a review on it, I wanted to be sure that I did. This movie is classic! I remember having seen this after it first came out when I was barely in 7th grade in Jr. High with my brother, and after it's release, we would often bug our dad to rent this movie for us to watch. In fact, he might have been better off just buying it, because it might have wound up saving him money in the long run, because my brother and I loved this movie. After having not seen this for years, I finally picked this up one day, (I am in the business of collecting up movies that I watched & enjoyed growing up), and gave it a watch. After having watched this again after so long, a lot of it came back to me. Some of it is a little on the hokey side, but for the most part, this movie is classic and fun, and I really like the music that accompanies it as well. I am glad that I finally own this one. If you want something fun and enchanting for the whole family to watch, then I recommend this one. It makes for a good family movie night. Check it out!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 6, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted November 5, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 3 Customer Reviews