Search - Casper: A Spirited Beginning on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG Content Advisory: Suitable for Children Movie Release: 1997 DVD Release: 09/03/2002 Format: DVD - Closed Captioned Audio Tracks: English, French, Spanish Subtitles: English, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 34 mins Studio: 20th Century Fox Members Wishing: 2 Genres: Children's/Family, Children's Fantasy, Family-Oriented Comedy See Also: Casper: A Spirited Beginning, Casper: A Spirited Beginning [Special Edition]

Billed as a prequel to the 1995 family film Casper, which in turn is based on an enduring Harvey cartoon character "Casper the Friendly Ghost," this direct-to-video entry is aimed at younger kids (though some of the scenes may be inappropriate for really young children). The story begins as Casper, who is new to the ghostly plane, rides a death train towards Ghost Central Station where he is to attend a camp to train him to scare people. Instead, he irritates another passenger and is tossed off the train. The bewildered little spirit lands in Deedstown where he becomes friends with 10-year-old Chris Carson, a troubled boy whose mother is gone and whose work-obsessed father ignores him. Chris sees that Casper is troubled too and so decides to show him how to be a real ghost by taking him to Applegate Manor, the town's haunted house, and introducing him to the riotous Ghostly Trio. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Steve Guttenberg - Tim Carson
Lori Loughlin - Sheila Fistergraff
Brendon Ryan Barrett - Chris Carson
Rodney Dangerfield - Mayor Hunt
Michael McKean - Bill Case

The prequel to the popular live action Casper, Casper: A Spirited Beginning, comes to DVD with a standard full-frame transfer. The English soundtrack is fine, though less than spectacular. Supplemental materials include a featurette, and previews for other family friendly titles from 20th Century Fox. There is little on this disc to interest the average DVD consumer, but those looking for something to watch with children should find it worthwhile. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide