Paranormal therapist Dr James Harvey (Bill Pullman) and his 12-year-old daughter, Kat (Christina Ricci), move into Whipstaff Manor – a Gaudi-esque haunted mansion on the Maine coast – to help rid it of ghosts.
Dr Harvey specialises in helping troubled spirits find their way to “the other side” and refers to them in the politically correct manner as “the living impaired”. That’s right – he’s a ghost-whisperer.
Sadistic heiress Carrigan Crittenden (Cathy Moriarty) has engaged the Harveys to rid the family mansion of spooks so she and her unctuous henchman, Dibs (Eric Idle), can extract a hidden treasure.
Kat befriends Casper “the friendly ghost” (voiced by Malachi Pearson) while Dr Harvey wages a battle of wits with Casper’s ghost uncles Stretch (Joe Nipote), Stinky (Joe Alaskey) and Fatso (Brad Garrett), who are determined to drive all “fleshies” away.
The three obnoxious and bullying ghosts have all the best lines and steal the movie.
Steven Spielberg executive produced the film, which features $50 million worth of production and technical tricks to create a hybrid live-action/cartoon romp.
The clunkiness of the CGI can be forgiven, as this was the first film to use a fully computer-generated character in a leading role (courtesy of Industrial Light and Magic).
Watch out for cameos from Mel Gibson, Clint Eastwood, Rodney Dangerfield and Dan Aykroyd – in character as Dr Raymond Stantz from Ghostbusters (1984).
Dr James Harvey
Bill Pullman Kat Harvey
Christina Ricci Casper (voice)
Malachi Pearson Nicky
Chauncey Leopardi Andreas
Spencer Vrooman Carrigan Crittenden
Cathy Moriarty Stretch (voice)
Joe Nipote Stinky (voice)
Joe Alaskey Fatso (voice)
Brad Garrett Paul “Dibs” Plutzker
Eric Idle Casper (in human form)
Devon Sawa Rugg
Ben Stein Father Guido Sarducci
Don Novello Crypt Keeper (voice)
John Kassir Vic
Garette Ratliff Henson Amber
Jessica Wesson Mr Curtis
Wesley Thompson Arnold (voice)
Jess Harnell Amelia
Amy Brenneman
Director
Brad Silberling
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Dr James Harvey
Stretch (voice)
Crypt Keeper (voice)
