Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says Iffy for 6+
Haunted house tale not as mild as the cartoons.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that the cartoon Casper and other Casper movies are much milder than this one. There are deaths here and much talk about the spirit world and grieving the loss of parents. The main character, Kat, sees one parent as a ghost, and another parent dies and comes back with the help of an invention. Kat also has a crush on Casper, who died as a tween boy. Casper's ghost uncles can be crude and mischievous and they take Kat's father out drinking at a bar.
- Families can talk about fantasies and ghosts. What is appealing about ghost stories? Why do you think Casper is friendly while his uncles are looking to cause trouble? Why do you think so many ghost stories take place in mansions?
The good stuff
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Positive messages: Not an issue
What to watch for
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Violence and scariness: Much fighting, and three deaths of characters who are then shown as ghosts. Some characters willingly pass into the spirit world, thinking they can come back with the help of an invention.
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Sexy stuff: Lots of innuendo, much of which will go over kids' heads -- as when Casper's mean uncles drop Dr. Harvey's pants, and one comments, "You're no Marky Mark."
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Language: Mild and occasional.
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Drunkenness, mostly by adult ghosts.