Casper (PG)
Haunted house tale not as mild as the cartoons.
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Seen the movie?
Movie details
- Studio: Universal Pictures
- Directed By: Brad Silberling
- Cast: Bill Pullman, Christina Ricci, Ben Stein
- Running Time: 100 minutes
- Release Date: 05/26/1995
- Video/DVD Release Date: 09/23/2003
- Genre: Family and Kids
- MPAA Rating: PG
- MPAA Explanation: mild language and thematic elements.
Parents need to know
Parents need to know that the cartoon Casper and other Casper movies are much milder than this one. There are deaths here and much talk about the spirit world and grieving the loss of parents. The main character, Kat, sees one parent as a ghost, and another parent dies and comes back with the help of an invention. Kat also has a crush on Casper, who died as a tween boy. Casper's ghost uncles can be crude and mischievous and they take Kat's father out drinking at a bar.
Families can talk about fantasies and ghosts. What is appealing about ghost stories? Why do you think Casper is friendly while his uncles are looking to cause trouble? Why do you think so many ghost stories take place in mansions?
Families can talk about fantasies and ghosts. What is appealing about ghost stories? Why do you think Casper is friendly while his uncles are looking to cause trouble? Why do you think so many ghost stories take place in mansions?
Message
Social Behavior:
Consumerism:
Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:
Drunkenness, mostly by adult ghosts.
Violence
Much fighting, and three deaths of characters who are then shown as ghosts. Some characters willingly pass into the spirit world, thinking they can come back with the help of an invention.
Sex
Lots of innuendo, much of which will go over kids' heads -- as when Casper's mean uncles drop Dr. Harvey's pants, and one comments, "You're no Marky Mark."
Language
Mild and occasional.
Common Sense says
What's the story?
Reviewed by Polly M. Robertus
Motherless Kat Harvey (Christina Ricci) and her father (Bill Pullman), a psychologist who helps spirits complete their journey onto death, move into Whipstaff Manor. The nasty Carrigan Crittenden has hired the doctor to rid her recently inherited property of its ghosts so she can hunt for the treasure hidden somewhere within its walls. One of the ghosts, Casper, develops a crush on Kat, while his rowdy ghost uncles make life comically difficult for everyone. When the Harveys throw a Halloween party, Kat and Casper discover a "resurrection machine" built by Casper's father, as well as the "treasure." Carrigan wants the machine for her wicked plans, and eventually there’s a mad chase about the house, and in and out of spirit worlds. In the end, Casper faces a tough choice: his life, or Dr. Harvey's?
Is it any good?
Viewers on the younger side should find the haunted house in CASPER pretty cool. Great special effects and fine acting should entertain 9- to 12-year-olds, who may also like the mild romance between Casper and Kat, but teens will find the scares too mild and the tone too sentimental at times.
That said, the relationship between Kat and her father is genuinely sweet. Cathy Moriarty as Carrigan is enjoyably Cruella de Vil-ish, and sidekick Dibs (Monty Python's Idle) has funny moments. Cameos by Don Novello as the exorcist, Father Guido Sarducci, and Dan Aykroyd as Ghostbusters' Dr. Ray Stantz are good in-jokes. The Victorian Gothic set -- with a nifty revolving panel and roller-coaster-ride to the basement -- is indeed cool.
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Parents and kids say
All Reviews
There are 2 reviews.
Age 11+
Posted on 09/06/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor
Posted on 03/10/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13
Adult Reviews
There are 1 reviews.
Age 11+
Posted on 09/06/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor
Kids Reviews
There are 1 reviews.
Posted on 03/10/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13
Which fantasy book creature has the best name?
Fluffy (3-headed dog, Harry Potter)
43%
Mister Grin (giant crocodile, Peter and the Starcatchers)
29%
Vermicious Knid (shapeshifting monster, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator)
0%
The Incredibly Deadly Viper (harmless snake, Series of Unfortunate Events)
0%
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29%
7 votes