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:

Based On TV Series | Self Referential | Based On Comic | Part Computer Animation | Casper

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 (DeLuxe)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS

Certification:

Netherlands:6 (re-rating) | Iceland:L | Canada:PG (Ontario) | South Korea:All | 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:

The last name of the Christina Ricci's and Bill Pullman's characters is "Harvey". Harvey Comics is the long time publisher of Casper the Friendly Ghost.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Casper is pouring he fresh orange juice for Kat, he collects the pulp in his hand. When he tips the pitcher up, the orange juice pouring through his hand stops just before he tips the pitcher back.

Quotes:

Kat: In two years I have been to nine different schools, eaten in nine cafeterias. I can't even remember anyone's name.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Movie Magic: Ghost Effects: Ghost Stories (#4.13)" (1996)

Soundtrack:

Same Song

Great Movie With Various Perspectives

After reading the comments, I see most people enjoy this movie with a few picking it over nothing (e.g. not an accurate portrait of ghost?). I first saw the movie in my preteen. It was a fun & 'cute' movie, highly entertaining with the trio & treasure hunting & stuff.

As I grew older & revisit this movie, I see more 'layers' of the movie other than a 'kiddie ghost story'. Dr. Harvey (Bill Pullman, excellent as usual) is having a hard time dealing with the death of his wife, & Kat (Ricci, a great break from the cool-headed Wednesday Adams) is having a hard time adjusting her father's constant move as well as grieving her mother on her own. Then, there is Casper grieving his own death as well as his father's death. And then there is Carrigan's mourning her father... not leaving her all the riches. Then there is Casper's heroic act (go see the movie, it's one of the most touching moment), Dr. Harvey's reunion, etc. etc.

From a child's point of view, it's pure entertainment. From an art lover's point of view, you have to awe at the special effect & sets. From an audience seeking emotional outlet, well, bring in an extra box of kleenex. It's a very touching, warm-hearted, humorous, sweet little movie about a friendly ghost named Casper.

Just a side note, it is quite interesting to watch Addams' Family & Casper & Sleepy Hollow & see Christina Ricci grow from the eccentric Wednesday Addams to a regular teenager Kat Harvey to a beautiful young lady Katrina Van Tessel.