Casper (Widescreen Special Edition)
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Cathy Moriarty, Chauncey Leopardi, Eric Idle, Malachi Pearson, Spencer VroomanBrand: Universal Studios
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1; Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; French (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; Spanish (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: Anamorphic, Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 100 minutes
Published: 2003-09-01
DVD Release Date: 2003-09-23
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Universal Studios
Movie Reviews of Casper (Widescreen Special Edition)
Movie Review: A Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
Casper is a character that has existed in our minds and our hearts for over 70 years in comic strips and cartoons. Finally, in the year 1995 we are treated to our first live action incarnation of this fantastic character. With the help of Christina Ricci and some exceptionally sweet voice acting by Malachi Pearson we are given a highly enjoyable, highly loveable family picture that teaches us an important message of friendship, family and most important of all moving on while still holding onto the memories of the loved ones we have lost.
The story focuses around despicable idiots Carrigan (Cathy Moriarty) and Dibbs (Eric Idle) and their quest to find the treasure hidden in a rundown old mansion left to Carrigan in her fathers will. The biggest problem facing Carrigan and Dibbs about Whipstaff Manor are the ghosts that inhabit it. Fatso, Stinkie and Stretch are 3 of the 4 ghosts that inhabit the manor and they're not too pleasant to be encountered by. Casper is the 4th ghost and isn't like the other 3, he just wants a friend to play with so he uses Carrigans plan to have ghost psychiatrist James Harvey (Pullman) and his daughter Kat (Ricci) move in.
Ricci was about 15 at the time of the making of this and although it wasn't an Oscar winning role, she certainly played the part of the disgruntled teenager well. The character of Casper was exceptionally sweet and not in an overbearing or sickening way as is the case with most movies based around the sweet characters. Luckily that sweetness is covered a lot for the cynical members of society thanks to the obnoxious uncles Fatso, Stinkie and Stretch and the criminal idiocy of Carrigan and Dibbs.
This is a film packed with childish clichés we have all come to know and love, such as the basics of courtesy and friendship. The usual slapstick humour we come to expect is also there and is helped by the characteristics of the ghostly uncles, Fatso in particular. Although that character may not be very PC today, there's no doubting that at the time the character was simply put in place to be the threatening big character who turned out to be quite laughable. The interractions between Casper and Kat are sometimes flawless and on a personality level is actually quite heart wearming. Some of the interractions thanks to the believable acting of Ricci make you think that she is really talking to a large headed ghost, and he is really making them breakfast.
Talking of interractions, the CGI is something to really shout about as for the time this film was made CGI specialised such as this had never been seen before. The interractions between the CG animated ghost and reality are flawless to say the least. Food interraction, communication between the actors and the ghost characters and other general interractions between CGI and reality are truly without flaw.
Casper is an enjoyable character and the whole message of passing over in regards to the ghosts is very special indeed. I highly applaud this film for managing to competently put across what some people would consider a sickeningly sweet storyline, and making it an enjoyable experience for the entire family to thoroughly enjoy. One particular part of the film which I loved was the cameo of Clint Eastwood, Mel Gibson and Rodney Dangerfield.
I would highly recommend this film and its sequels, although I haven't seen the sequels myself but I'm sure they would be good.
Summary of Casper (Widescreen Special Edition)
CASPER - DVD MovieThis 1995 family film tries to put a fun spin on the story of a paranormalist and widower (Bill Pullman) who moves into a new house with his daughter (Christina Ricci) and meets up with the ghost of a dead little boy. Based on the comic book about Casper the friendly ghost, the film is a dreary series of awkward interactions between live actors and computer effects, and you can almost see Pullman and Ricci reconsidering the project while on camera. A few cameo appearances from uncredited stars help things a bit. But there's no way, based on this film, that one could have guessed that its director, Brad Silberling, would go on to make the exceptional drama City of Angels. --Tom Keogh
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