Casper is a 1995 American supernatural comedy-drama film directed by Brad Silberling, in his feature film directorial debut, based on the Harvey Comicscartoon character Casper the Friendly Ghost created by Seymour Reit and Joe Oriolo. The film stars Christina Ricci, Bill Pullman, Cathy Moriarty, Eric Idle, and also features the voices of Joe Nipote, Joe Alaskey, Brad Garrett and the introduction of Malachi Pearson in the title role.
The film makes extensive use of computer-generated imagery to create the ghosts, and it is the first feature film to have a fully CGI character in the lead role. It goes for a much darker interpretation of the Friendly Ghost in comparison to the comics, cartoons and films of the previous years, especially with its theme of death, most notably providing the character a tragic backstory that addresses his death.
Casper was released in cinemas on May 26, 1995, by Universal Pictures. It received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the film for its faithfulness to its source material (specifically the title character's portrayal), visual effects, music score, and performances, but criticized its dark story and humor.
Cast[]
- Malachi Pearson as the voice of Casper McFadden, a lonely ghost who was originally a 12-year-old boy who died of pneumonia. He spends most of his afterlife in Whipstaff, dealing with his ghostly ghoulish uncles' antics while hoping to find a friend. He finds one in Kat, while also developing a crush on her.
- Devon Sawa portrays Casper in his human form
- Christina Ricci as Kathleen "Kat" Harvey, James' 13-year-old daughter and Casper's love interest who has lost her mother and wants to make a friend.
- Bill Pullman as Dr. James Harvey, Kat's father; a ghost therapist interacting with the 'living impaired', helping them to cross into the next dimension while hoping to find his deceased wife.
- Joe Nipote as the voice of Stretch, the leading member of the Ghostly Trio and one of Casper's uncles who bonds with Dr. Harvey.
- Joe Alaskey as the voice of Stinkie, the second member of the Ghostly Trio with bad breath and one of Casper's uncles who bonds with Dr. Harvey.
- Brad Garrett as the voice of Fatso, the unintelligent third member of the Ghostly Trio and one of Casper's uncles who bonds with Dr. Harvey.
- Cathy Moriarty as Catherine "Carrigan" Crittenden, a glamorous, treacherous, and greedy woman upset about her late father only leaving Whipstaff Manor to her in his will. She discovers that the house contains a treasure, though unknown to her is only Casper's baseball. She hires Dr. Harvey to exorcise the ghosts in order to get it. Carrigan ultimately dies and becomes a ghost, before being ejected into the afterlife for all eternity.
- Eric Idle as Paul "Dibs" Plutzker, Carrigan's attorney.
- Don Novello as Father Guido Sarducci, called in by Carrigan to attempt an exorcism.
- Dan Aykroyd as Dr. Raymond Stantz, the member of the Ghostbusters called in by Carrigan to exterminate the Ghostly Trio.