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 Sentimental Spooks  Casper explores a rare, heartfelt bond between ghost and human
Sentimental Spooks Casper explores a rare, heartfelt bond between ghost and human
YouTube | Universal Pictures

Casper celebrates 30 years with special anniversary theater screening in Sherman Oaks

Groundbreaking CGI from 1995 makes Casper’s return a visual treat

On Oct. 8, I watched the “Casper 30th Anniversary” screening at Sherman Oaks Galleria. It’s a cute, simplistic, family-friendly movie, and I really enjoyed it.

Many people have already seen “Casper,” but here’s a quick rundown.

Casper is a young ghost that haunts a mansion in Maine, alongside his mischievous uncles, Stretch, Stinkie and Fatso. This mansion is soon inherited by Carrigan Crittenden, a greedy woman who hires ghost specialist Dr. James Harvey and his teenage daughter, Kat, to get rid of Casper and his three uncles.

But during this ‘ghost elimination’ process, a friendship blossoms between Kat and Casper — though at first, Casper definitely likes Kat way more than she likes him. Together, they try to find a way to bring Casper back to life, which they briefly succeed at.

However, Casper ultimately returns to his ghostly form, while Carrigan’s greed leads to her downfall. The film ends with everyone celebrating Casper’s return as a ghost and Carrigan’s well-deserved fate.

It’s a simple, wholesome Halloween story that’s easy to follow and watch.

At the theater, they played exactly that — the original 1995 “Casper” movie. I sat in the back with only five other people in the room, thinking about how many people were missing out on the chance to see this classic on the big screen in 4K Ultra HD.

“Casper” was released on May 26, 1995, 30 years ago this past spring. It was a huge milestone for computer-generated imagery (CGI) in the 1990s, outshining many other films of that era with its impressive visual effects. That groundbreaking CGI is a big reason the movie earned a special 30th anniversary theater run.

Beyond its technical achievements, “Casper” also made a cultural impact by exploring an idea many people have not thought of yet — a bond between a ghost and a human.

At a time when ghosts were portrayed as enemies, this story showed a genuine connection between both beings. That uniqueness is another reason why this anniversary feels so well-deserved.

One of the main reasons I like “Casper” is because it was so easy to get into. Around Halloween, most people go straight for scary horror flicks full of gore and jumpscares. But sometimes, it’s nice to just sit down and relax with a light, fall-spirited movie without so much intensity.

My favorite part of the movie is the ending. Casper briefly becomes human and gets his one wish: to dance with Kat. At the end of their dance, they share a kiss, causing Casper to turn back into a ghost. The movie concludes with such a cute, heartwarming moment.

Sometimes, these kids’ Halloween movies can feel boring and forgettable, but this ending is genuinely precious.

My only small complaint is that I wish Casper’s uncles had more screen time. They’re such fun characters, and I really enjoyed their appearances throughout the story, even if they were limited.

Overall, “Casper” is a fantastic Halloween classic that absolutely deserves this theatrical celebration. If it’s playing at a theater near you, I would 100% recommend going to see it — whether to rekindle old memories or experience this wholesome movie for the first time.

Overall Rating: 8.5/10
Overall Scare Factor: 0/10
Accuracy of the Leaks: 10/10

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About the contributor
Alyssa Pelayo, Staff Writer
 
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