Casper Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Casper Blu-ray Movie Review

Universal and Best Buy have collaborated on a store exclusive SteelBook release for the 1995 family film 'Casper.' The Blu-ray disc is identical to that found in the 2014 wide release but, in celebration of the film's 25th anniversary, Universal has also included a new DVD bonus disc which includes two Casper feature films and several vintage shorts. See the 'Special Features and Extras' section of the review below for more on the SteelBook's look and feel as well as a breakdown of the new extras.

Casper Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

For a full 1080p video review, please click here.

Casper Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

For a full Blu-ray audio review, please click here.

Casper Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This SteelBook is black, shiny, and slick front and back: fingerprint magnet. The front, against the dominant black background, depicts Casper just right of and above the center point. The film's title in movie-specific script, along with the "25th Anniversary Edition" text, appears center top. Three other ghosts -- Stretch, Stinky, and Fatso -- appear along the bottom and lower left portion of the stage. The back panel simply depicts the haunted house in shadow, bathed in a light blue light. A Universal logo and some legalese appear in small white print center bottom. A model number appears bottom right. The spine features the same black background. The film's title, again with the anniversary marker, appears center. A Universal logo has been positioned at the bottom.

Inside, the digital copy code is tucked underneath the left-hand-side tabs. The two discs, one UHD and one Blu-ray, are situated on the right in staggered-stacked formation. The inner print is a two-panel spread that contains a still depicting Casper, on the left, and Christina Ricci's Kat, on the right, facing one another.

For full coverage of the Blu-ray supplemental content please click here. Find below a breakdown of the new supplements on the DVD disc included with this SteelBook.

• Casper: A Spirited Beginning (480p, approximately 4x3, Dolby Digital 2.0, 1:33:48): The feature-length 1997 film stars Steve Guttenberg, Lori Loughlin, and Rodney Dangerfield. The picture and sound qualities are obviously not particularly good, but it's watchable. Nine chapter stops are included.
• Casper's Scare School (480p, Dolby Digital 2.0, 1.78:1, 1:18:10): The 1996 animated TV film featuring the voice talents of Devon Werkheiser, Bob Saget, and Jim Belushi. Nine chapter stops are included.
• Original Theatrical Shorts (480p, Dolby Digital 2.0, approximately 4x3): Several vintage animated shorts. Included are Spree Under the Sea (8:04), Once Upon a Rhyme (7:06), Boo Hoo Baby (7:15), To Boo or Not to Boo (6:21), and Boo Scout (6:53).

Casper Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It's nice to find a SteelBook with some additional content beyond simply regurgitating an existing disc, which so many re-releases tend to do. Here, the extra content is on a DVD rather than a Blu-ray, but it includes two feature-length films and several animated shorts. The Blu-ray proper is identical, but there's at least a good deal of added value and incentive to double-dip. The SteelBook packaging is fine: it's not the nicest looking on the planet and it's not the worst. Fans of the film and packaging collectors should find it a worthwhile purchase. Recommended.