Casper

All Casper ever wanted was a friend, but he was not particularly well-served by either executive producer Steven Spielberg or the special-effects wizards at Industrial Light & Magic (not to mention a script that strains for hipness). Bill Pullman stars in this 1995 fantasy as Dr. James Harvey (a nice in-joke reference to Casper's comic book origins in Harvey Comics), a therapist who ministers to the "living-impaired." In search of hidden treasure, Carrigan Crittenden (Cathy Moriarty), a real witch, summons Dr. Harvey to rid the condemned Whipstaff Manor of its mischievous poltergeists, where lonely Casper finds a kindred misfit spirit in Harvey's motherless young daughter, Kat (Christina Ricci). The Ghostly Trio (the aptly named Stretch, Stinkie, and Fatso) supply the supernatural slapstick and requisite rude noises. The film comes to, um, life when former Monty Python member Eric Idle, as Crittenden's put-upon accomplice, is onscreen, while cameos by Clint Eastwood, Rodney Dangerfield, Mel Gibson, and Dan Aykroyd--as a ghostbuster who suggests Crittenden call "someone else"--are a scream. Still, the references to death and the afterlife, and the ill-conceived scene in which Harvey himself frolics as a ghost before his devastated daughter, may upset younger viewers. But mild profanity aside, this could be just the trick for 'tweens. Presented with a solid, colorful transfer and wonderful DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, the DVD extras on this special edition include commentary by director Brad Silberling, a 47-minute “making of” documentary, games and activities, deleted scenes, and a bonus episode from the animated series. A strong optional purchase. (D. Liebenson)