After borrowing this off a friend (thanks Paul!), I couldn't wait to buy it. As a bit of a sucker for fun scores for kid's films, this one really appealed to me. Matching James Horner with some spooky going on, a bit of Danny Elfman style thrown in and you have one of Horner's best from 1995. Casper's theme is very touching and will bring a tear to your eye the first few times you listen to it. The creeping about parts are done with occasional bursts of orchestral colour as well some big band jazz. This is one of Horner's most thematically rich scores, it contains masses of themes and melodies, many more than I can say I've noticed in any of his other scores (if you know different of course....). The villain's theme is a mock menacing march that is put to good effect in tracks such as The March of the Exorcists where Carrigan and Dibs (the villains) try to evict the ghosts from the house. My favourite track is First Haunting/The Swordfight which contains some Korngold esque trumpet fanfares as well as some light hearted action/fright music. For those who like Horner and/or fun children's scores that are a cut above the rest, this is a sure fire hit.

Rating ~

  1. "No sign of ghosts" (7:31)
  2. Carrigan & Dibs (2:40)
  3. Strangers in the House (2:36)
  4. First Haunting/The Swordfight (5:01)
  5. March of the Exorcists (2:45)
  6. The Lighthouse - Casper & Kat (4:57)
  7. Casper makes Breakfast (3:42)
  8. Fond Memories (3:39)
  9. 'Dying' to be a ghost (7:02)
  10. Caper's Lullaby (5:40)
  11. Descent to Lazarus (10:20)
  12. One Last Wish (4:19)
  13. "Remember me this way" performed by Jordan Hill (4:28)
  14. "Casper the Friendly Ghost" performed by Little Richard (2:11)
  15. The Uncle's Swing/End Credits (6:21)

Total Time ~ 73:08