Casper

Universal Pictures | Release Date: May 26, 1995

7.2	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 46 Ratings

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User Reviews

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ToonVictimFeb 23, 2018

The movie is cute, the principal characters are pleasant and the plot, although simple, it's enough entertaining for all family.

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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FilipeNetoJul 23, 2021

Certain films earn our affection for the quality they have, others for the visual beauty and the grandeur of the technical means used… others, like this film, conquer their place by the way they touch us. I may not be the only one who sawCertain films earn our affection for the quality they have, others for the visual beauty and the grandeur of the technical means used… others, like this film, conquer their place by the way they touch us. I may not be the only one who saw this movie as a child and now feels some nostalgia and affection to see it again.

The film hardly needs any introduction, telling us the story of Casper, a ghost who settled in the land after dying very young, and haunts his old house in the company of three uncles, who are the real terror of the region. The house's fate seems sealed when it ends up in the hands of an ambitious heiress, eager to demolish it and get hold of a treasure she thinks is hidden there. Unable to make it thanks to the ghosts' efforts, she decides to call an expert, Dr. Harvey, to get them out of there. It's precisely what Casper wanted most, as the academic travels with a teenage daughter he fell in love with when he saw her on television.

The film isn't brilliant, it's not meant to be. It is not an award winner, nor will it give us the dramatic life performance of any of the actors involved. It is simply a family film, aimed at younger people, but which also knows how to please adults, and which, despite its age, remains fresh and current today. For me, who saw it as a child, it will always have a corner in my video library.

The film was the first to make live actors act opposite characters entirely made by computer graphics, and from that point of view it was a pioneering film. However, Casper, Stretch, Stinkie and Fatso are characters in their own right and their voices were lent by a group of good actors: Joe Nipote, Joe Alaskey, Brad Garrett and Malachi Pearson. They are the soul of the film and steal our attention whenever they are present. The young Christina Ricci, in one of the early career jobs, also shows unmistakable signs of talent. Bill Pullman is effective, convincing and entertaining in his role, Eric Idle is very funny, and Cathy Moriarty is very good as a villain.

Technically, it's an effective movie. As I said before, it excels in its pioneering use of fully CGI characters, and the visual, special and sound effects used are really good, and they seem convincing even after twenty years. Cinematography doesn't surprise us, but it doesn't disappoint either. The pace of the film is regular, fast and fun, as it should be, and all the sets and costumes are very good, in particular the magnificent Whipstaff mansion, which would become iconic thanks to its Art Nouveau design, worthy of the best ideas of Antoni Gaudí. The film's music is ensured by the ever-reliable James Horner.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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PanchogulFeb 16, 2019

Casper marcó mi infancia por completo, simplemente adoro esta película desde y para siempre.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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Jim222001Feb 6, 2023

I love this movie. When talking about bad movies based on a cartoon....Casper should not be mentioned. It's definitely one of the best. I just always found the ending rushed.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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ComandanteCobraJul 26, 2021

I've watched this a little late...in 2021 on Netflix.,,,and i liked it.
Enjoyable movie 4 teens and adults alike, very 90's in style, humorous and a little gothic.
You don't have to be at home with Casper Franchise (like the old CasperI've watched this a little late...in 2021 on Netflix.,,,and i liked it.
Enjoyable movie 4 teens and adults alike, very 90's in style, humorous and a little gothic.
You don't have to be at home with Casper Franchise (like the old Casper Cartoon Show ) to enjoy or understand this.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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meydianarizki21Apr 28, 2023

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'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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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sebastianaliApr 14, 2021

Casper salio en 1995 y fue de las primeras películas en tener CGI, y si bien se nota que los años le pasan factura, para su tiempo diría que estuvo mas que acertado. Ahora bien, si hablamos de la historia en general y de los personajes...Casper salio en 1995 y fue de las primeras películas en tener CGI, y si bien se nota que los años le pasan factura, para su tiempo diría que estuvo mas que acertado. Ahora bien, si hablamos de la historia en general y de los personajes... esta bastante bien! Aunque debo decir que solo Casper y Kat fueron realmente carismáticos, el resto de personajes si que son bastante genericos, en especial Carrigan que puedo decir que es practicamente igual a todos los personajes malvados que llevan de nombre "Medusa", incluso muriendo de una forma super forzada. Y hablando de cosas forzadas o poco explicadas, la película no hace ningún intento a la hora de contar un poco sobre los "deberes" que debe de hacer un fantasma antes de poder ir a "la otra vida", y así varias cosas que no quedan tan claras, aun así, es una película que recomiendo bastante y que entiendo porque para algunos es un clásico.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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r96skJan 24, 2022

I remembered so much of this, and yet absolutely nothing of the plot.

’Casper’ is a film I must’ve watched so much as a young kid on video, the opening few scenes are very nostalgic. As noted though, I didn’t recall anything serious fromI remembered so much of this, and yet absolutely nothing of the plot.

’Casper’ is a film I must’ve watched so much as a young kid on video, the opening few scenes are very nostalgic. As noted though, I didn’t recall anything serious from this 1995 flick though. It’s a little deeper than I remember, with some adult themes touched on - the concluding scenes stand out in that regard.

I did remember the cast, however. Malachi Pearson is perfect as the voice of the titular character, while Christina Ricci is good in the lead live-action role. Bill Pullman spearheads the rest of the onscreen talent well. One casting note: A young Devon Sawa has a part, I recently watched him in television’s 'Chucky' - which I’d recommend, fwiw. Another: Clint Eastwood makes a small cameo, as does a certain ghost hunter.

Just the *checks notes* four follow-ups have spawned from this release. Off we go...… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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DisneyJunkie196Jun 20, 2020

I was unsure about it at first, how could they possibly redo Casper in a live action and make it seem like the childhood Casper people grew up with, but they did it. Loved it, recommend this for Casper fans everywhere.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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JJ2FAS4UDec 31, 2021

----------------------------------6.0/10-----------------------------------

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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omotestGumpApr 2, 2023

It shouldn't be too bad, but something is missing." Something that would be a strength to reach "very interesting.

One of the drawbacks would be that the characterization is too blatant: the three ghosts are depressing and Carrigan is aIt shouldn't be too bad, but something is missing." Something that would be a strength to reach "very interesting.

One of the drawbacks would be that the characterization is too blatant: the three ghosts are depressing and Carrigan is a jerk. There are jerks in the school. The characters are depressingly obvious. Too much so. It's a good thing they didn't add any more nasty villains. These characters do some interesting things, but frankly, they are a pain in the ass.

The one flaw I can say is the storyline as well. I thought it was a good theme, a good story, but it takes Casper's inspiring story in a different direction. Despite the great theme of friendship between Kat and Casper, the story is taken in a more sci-fi direction. It's for kids, so it's packed with a lot of elements to keep them interested. It's not bad, but it won't make the movie any more interesting.
In the end, the movie is enjoyable all the way through, but you can't shake the impression that there are a lot of unnecessary elements.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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