Flashback Review: Casper

In 1945, “Casper the Friendly Ghost” made his cartoon debut. The titular character isn’t your typical ghost who haunts people, he’s just a nice guy who wants to hang out with humans. His three uncles often pull pranks on him and the people he tries to befriend. He appeared in 55 theatrical cartoons back when home video wasn’t invented back then. Now-defunct comic book company Harvey Comics obtain the rights to Casper allowing them to appear in his own comic book series and appearing in crossovers with “Richie Rich.” 50 Years Later, Steven Spielberg produced a live-action movie.

Released in 1995, it received mixed reviews from critics and movie goers alike. Doug Walker/Nostalgia Critic & Leonard Maltin hated it. Gene Siskel & Roger Ebert liked it. Despite mixed reception, the movie made enough money at the box office. Casper spawned two unrelated movies “Casper: A Spirited Beginning” (never seen it) & “Casper Meets Wendy.” I only saw the latter.

First time I heard about Casper, was a VHS tape. I used to watch it all the time around kindergarten along with “Space Jam” and “Matilda.” I was a little boy in the ’90s. Anway, it’s Halloween Month 2023. I’m reviewing a few Horror films throughout October. What Horror film should I post? Please leave a comment and I’ll reply back.

This review contains one SPOILER below.

Friendly & Scary Aspects

Friendly: Christina Ricci, Bill Pullman, Eric Idle & Cathy Moriarty all did a great job for their respective performances.

Brad Garrett provides the voice of Fatso.

Steven Spielberg produced the movie. Courtesy of his production company Amblin Entertainment.

Brad Silberling (Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortune Events, Land of the Lost) did a decent job directing.

Writing duo Sherri Stoner & Deanna Oliver co-wrote the script. They’re known for “Tiny Toon Adventures,” “Animaniacs,” “The Brave Little Toaster,” By the way, Sherri also voiced Slappy the Squirrell. “Now that’s comedy!”

J.J. Abrams did an uncredited rewrite of the script. This is before he ruined “Lost” and the “Star Wars Sequel Trilogy.” Forever known as Jar Jar Abrams.

James Horner (The Mask of Zorro, Avatar, The Amazing Spider-Man) orchestrated the soundtrack.

Cinematography didn’t succumb to technical issues.

Devon Sewa (Alex from Final Destination) makes a brief appearance in a surprise role.

Fun Fact 1: Casper’s actually the first fully CGI character. Jar Jar Binks, eat your heart out.

Fun Fact 2: Christina & Devon both appear in one of my childhood guilty pleasures “Now and Then.” It also came out in 1995. I have to give this touching scene an Extra Point for putting a smile on my face. Man, oh man I miss my childhood.

Fun Fact 3: Cathy later appeared as one of Wendy’s aunts in Casper and Wendy.

Humor has a lot of Funny Moments. My favorite parts are the cameo appearances from Ben Stien, Don Novello, (Vinny from Atlantis: The Lost Empire) Dan Aykroyd, Clint Eastwood, Rodney Dangerfield & Mel Gibson. As a kindergartner back then, I had no idea who these people were. Now what I’m older, I know who they are which makes it ten times funnier. The cameos earn Bonus Points.

For a PG movie, I forgot this was edgy. I gotta give Casper credit for paving a new wave of edgy kids movies listed below. Stinkers like “North” & “The Cat in the Hat” went overboard.

1. Matilda
2. The Road to El Dorado
3. Shrek series
4. Osmosis Jones
5. Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortune Events
6. Madagascar series
7. Monster House
8. Coraline
9. Paranorman
10. The Boxtrolls

At one point, Kat wears a red sweater. Possibly a reference to Wendy the Witch.

Kat’s surname, Harvey is named after Harvey Comics.

Harvey uses a vacuum cleaner to suck the Uncles. That scene inspired Nintendo to create “Luigi’s Mansion.”

A machine designed to resurrect people is called, “The Lazarus.” Reminds me of Ra’s Al Ghul’s Lazarus Pit from Batman. Speaking of DC Comics, “Batman Forever” came out in 1995. Coincidentally, “Goldeneye” features a villain who teams up with a nerdy guy to steal secrets using a machine.

Scary: Remember that scene with Harvey sucking the Uncles with a vacuum cleaner? How come they didn’t pass through? They’re literally ghosts. As if Shadow Cat (from X-Men) forgot she can walk through walls.

Just when I started to like Carrigan, she accidentally kills herself to steal the treasure. Just because you became a ghost does not mean you get to win automatically. You’ll go straight to Malebolgia’s place. I hate incompetent bad guys. Since “Home Alone” became a game changer in the ‘90s, a lot of family comedies try to capitalize the same success as Home Alone. For your information, Malebolgia’s the main antagonist from “Spawn.”

The Final Verdict: B-

I used to watch Casper all the time. Despite a few blemishes, I still like it. If you wanna introduce your kids to a childhood movie, give this one a shot.