Christina Ricci Movie:

				Salesrank: 223407
		Our Price: $28.75
		MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) Media: DVD

Editorial Review:
This 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

Casper [Region 2] Reviews:
Good for Kids, Move Along Adults
2008-10-02 - Casper
Many people have asked me when I was going to kick off the Halloween Season recently, and now I have. Casper is a child-friendly ghost story that is based off an old cartoon series. Considering this film was made in 1995, Casper has held up very well. If you are looking for a fun movie for your children to watch, you might want to check out Casper. If you are an adult, avoid this at all costs.

The story is very light hearted. Carrigan, a greedy woman, has just inherited a haunted Manor. There are three threatening ghosts: Stretch, Stinkie, and Fatso. There is also a friendly ghost, Casper. Carrigan knows of a treasure somewhere in the manor, but needs to get the ghosts out of way to get to it. After many other choices, she settles with Dr. Harvey. Harvey and his daughter, Kat, move into the home in hopes to drive the ghosts out.

The CG used for the ghosts is phenomenal. Even in today's world, this CG stands up well to the rest. You can see through the ghosts, but at the same time they have a thickness to them. You will never complain about having a dated movie.

The relationship between Kat and Casper is the most interesting part in this movie. As an adult, the corny story telling will not keep the amused for long. Kat and Casper have a couple deep altercations. Casper asks Kat "Can I keep you," and Kat agrees. However, Casper tries to kiss Kat, but Kat only feels a chill. It is tragic.

If you are an adult Casper is worthless. If you are looking for a fun Halloween flick for your children, this is for you. There are a few derogatory words, but nothing a mature child cannot handle. Then again, Casper usually comes on television each Halloween. You might want to avoid this one on that note.

Not for grown-ups. Watch the scenery.
2008-09-25 - Yet another dopey kiddie movie with almost nothing to offer the parents who have to sit in the theater because their little munchkins wanted to see this stuff. Honestly, why don't family movies aim a little higher? Pixar has proven over and over again that it's possible to make a smart, funny movie that people of all ages can enjoy. Anyway..

I do not own Casper on DVD; I saw it in the theater. I don't even remember why I went to see this; it was probably a family outing, but I might have gone because I'm a fan of animation. Bleh. The ghosts looked lame, the story was full of holes, the characters were shallow & two-dimensional, the acting was mediocre. The only reason I'm even reviewing this turkey is because of the set design.

That's right, I said set design. I was way more excited by the Casper _house_ than by the foolery that was taking place in it. The sets were heavily inspired by the work of late-1800s Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi (the organic, spirally ceiling in the girl's bedroom is a direct quote from an apartment building in Barcelona.) I thought initially the Gaudi references were just a fluke, that they accidentally used his style as a single piece in what was going to be an incoherent Art Nouveau collage ... but every interior shot, every new area of the house looked like a fanciful (but faithful) interpretation of Gaudi's style (except the basement, which didn't match at all.) I was amazed that somebody took the effort to reference a particular architect and maintain a plausible pastiche of his style throughout. I had never really paid a lot of attention to movie set design before, but this show was so forgettable that I found it easy to look at the backdrops instead. Also helps that I knew about Gaudi and was an admirer of his idiosyncratic work long before seeing the movie.

Casper's set designer gets five stars, but this lame movie only deserves two. Highly recommended as a visual reference for eccentric Art Nouveau interior design.

Casper, The Family Friendly GHOST
2008-09-22 - That one reviewer who complained about using the "B" word failed to explain it was in reference to a dog, which even Jim Carrey used in comic style refer to woman in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, when he claimed he was refering to her dog instead. Very funny how the word is family friendly in that context.
I like this movie, and yes, I am partial since I once dressed as Casper for halloween when Collegeville costumes were all the rage. This movie adaption did not disappoint. The effects of the ghosts are better than average for the comical angle, and the movie tone never lets up. Glad so many other people are interested in it also. Happy Halloween!

Fantastic
2008-08-30 - i watched this movie so many times, i still enjoy watching it, i love the characters! great!

Ghosts can be sweet too.
2008-08-27 - Casper starring Bull Pullman and Christina Ricci is a childhood delight. I enjoyed this feel-good comedy as a young teen and still do. Ricci's performance is so under-stated, she can definitely hold her own. Pullman on the other hand is not a good actor but he's pretty believable in this film. Devon Sawa is such a babe in Casper, too bad his beautiful face doesn't show up 'til the end of the film. I highly recommend this ghostly caper, enjoy!