Casper
James Horner
" On the runway now we have Dr. James Horner delivering smashing material: you said it Fatso! "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Casper is a friendly ghost, a warm lovable family movie, a special effects see through experience and a magical listen. Composed by James Horner in the year 1995, Casper is nothing short of remarkable, considering it was composed in the same year as Apollo 13 and Braveheart (let's not forget Balto too). Now Apollo 13 and Braveheart may deservedly be the graduates of its year (both received the Oscar nomination for best motion picture score), but somehow Casper is equally worthy of that praise. Because so many years after its release, and Casper still remains that breath of fresh air.
I love Casper for so many reasons. I love its magical effect in the movie, and I love the way Horner actually introduces comical Mickey Mouse music to various situations. But don't mistake this for something bad, because Horner unleashes through this pure creative originality, gluing the various confrontations of styles into one amazing listening experience. Yes, Horner original I hear you thinking? And yet Casper is not easily mistaken for something else. In fact, most of the music still stands the test of time.
Number 1 to prove it, "No Sign of Ghosts". This is actually a case of that Mickey Mouse music that's bouncing everywhere the moment Cat and James meet the youngest inhabitant of Whipstaff Manor. But it's so diverse and easy going stuff that you'll sing along with it the moment you'll know what to expect. Add to that Horner's simply mesmerizing love theme, Horner's enchanting main theme and Horner's catchy comical rhythms and ditto lala choir, and you've got a winner. I would kill for that equally memorable opening track of the movie (say cheese), but this oughta do it in the end as well.
Horner's crowning jewel however is that love theme, a beautiful tantalizing piano melody that evokes a magical supernatural quality every time it touches the screen. You can best hear that supernatural quality when human hand and ghost hand connect in "Casper Makes Breakfast", or when the equally charming main theme interacts with it in "The Lighthouse / Casper & Kat". The most magical moment is definitely the Amelia / Fatso moment in the film, but sadly this is not featured on the album.
Luckily Horner has a lot of other goodies standing by instead. We have the alienating Gothic outburst in "Carrigan & Dibs", the utterly thunderous surprise attack of the 3 ghosts in "First Haunting / The Swordfight", followed by Dr. Harvey's swashbuckling reply (covering organ shenanigans and a boisterous Korngold adventure theme), the magical resurrection of Dr. Harvey through the love theme and the machine 'The Lazarus' in "'Dying' to be a Ghost", the beautiful mix of the main theme and love theme in "Casper's Lullaby" that's too sweet for mortal words to describe, followed by "Descent to Lazarus" that's too playful to sit still with. Because in this track it's once again the Mickey Mouse style all over again, delivered on the most enjoyable way. Because hearing Horner underscoring each segment so creatively and fluently makes it the real joy of this album's experience, especially in the last 3 minutes of the track.
And if that's not even enough we have the magical rise of the main theme when Amelia finally makes her appearance in "One Last Wish", the 2 songs that play an integral role at the party, concluded by the delightful end credits piece "The Uncles Swing / End Credits" that give you the necessary goosebumps and energy you'll need.
Yet when thinking about it, it's still a strange coincidence that Casper actually has a lot in common with Jumanji, considered to be one of Horner's more maligned works. And yet most people claim that Casper is one of the most fresh pieces of his career. Meaning about the one we can argue and debate a lot, but about the other we can be pretty clear. Casper is indeed a joyful experience that will haunt your minds long after we've dropped dead. Because listening to Casper is listening to the best that Horner can deliver. Given the fact the album's missing some key moments (the opening cue, the Amelia / Fatso appearance), it shows you just how good Casper is. Say what you will about James Horner, but nothing can touch Casper's charm, creativeness and delight the moment you say: 'Okay, One Picture and we're History'.
Track Listing
1. "No Sign of Ghosts" (7.31) Excellent track
2. Carrigan & Dibs (2.40)
3. Strangers in the House (2.36)
4. First Haunting / The Swordfight (5.01) Excellent track
5. March of the Exorcists (2.45) Excellent track
6. The Lighthouse / Casper & Kat (4.57) Excellent track
7. Casper Makes Breakfast (3.42)
8. Fond Memories (3.39)
9. 'Dying' to be a Ghost (7.02) Excellent track
10. Casper's Lullaby (5.40) Excellent track
11. Descent to Lazarus (10.20) Excellent track
12. One Last Wish (4.19) Excellent track
13. Remember me This Way: Jordan Hill * (4.28)
14. Casper the Friendly Ghost: Little Richard ** (2.11) Excellent track
15. The Uncles Swing / End Credits (6.21) Excellent track
* Written By David Foster and Linda Thompson
** Written By Mack David and Jerry Livingston
Total Length: 73.12
I love Casper for so many reasons. I love its magical effect in the movie, and I love the way Horner actually introduces comical Mickey Mouse music to various situations. But don't mistake this for something bad, because Horner unleashes through this pure creative originality, gluing the various confrontations of styles into one amazing listening experience. Yes, Horner original I hear you thinking? And yet Casper is not easily mistaken for something else. In fact, most of the music still stands the test of time.
Number 1 to prove it, "No Sign of Ghosts". This is actually a case of that Mickey Mouse music that's bouncing everywhere the moment Cat and James meet the youngest inhabitant of Whipstaff Manor. But it's so diverse and easy going stuff that you'll sing along with it the moment you'll know what to expect. Add to that Horner's simply mesmerizing love theme, Horner's enchanting main theme and Horner's catchy comical rhythms and ditto lala choir, and you've got a winner. I would kill for that equally memorable opening track of the movie (say cheese), but this oughta do it in the end as well.
Horner's crowning jewel however is that love theme, a beautiful tantalizing piano melody that evokes a magical supernatural quality every time it touches the screen. You can best hear that supernatural quality when human hand and ghost hand connect in "Casper Makes Breakfast", or when the equally charming main theme interacts with it in "The Lighthouse / Casper & Kat". The most magical moment is definitely the Amelia / Fatso moment in the film, but sadly this is not featured on the album.
Luckily Horner has a lot of other goodies standing by instead. We have the alienating Gothic outburst in "Carrigan & Dibs", the utterly thunderous surprise attack of the 3 ghosts in "First Haunting / The Swordfight", followed by Dr. Harvey's swashbuckling reply (covering organ shenanigans and a boisterous Korngold adventure theme), the magical resurrection of Dr. Harvey through the love theme and the machine 'The Lazarus' in "'Dying' to be a Ghost", the beautiful mix of the main theme and love theme in "Casper's Lullaby" that's too sweet for mortal words to describe, followed by "Descent to Lazarus" that's too playful to sit still with. Because in this track it's once again the Mickey Mouse style all over again, delivered on the most enjoyable way. Because hearing Horner underscoring each segment so creatively and fluently makes it the real joy of this album's experience, especially in the last 3 minutes of the track.
And if that's not even enough we have the magical rise of the main theme when Amelia finally makes her appearance in "One Last Wish", the 2 songs that play an integral role at the party, concluded by the delightful end credits piece "The Uncles Swing / End Credits" that give you the necessary goosebumps and energy you'll need.
Yet when thinking about it, it's still a strange coincidence that Casper actually has a lot in common with Jumanji, considered to be one of Horner's more maligned works. And yet most people claim that Casper is one of the most fresh pieces of his career. Meaning about the one we can argue and debate a lot, but about the other we can be pretty clear. Casper is indeed a joyful experience that will haunt your minds long after we've dropped dead. Because listening to Casper is listening to the best that Horner can deliver. Given the fact the album's missing some key moments (the opening cue, the Amelia / Fatso appearance), it shows you just how good Casper is. Say what you will about James Horner, but nothing can touch Casper's charm, creativeness and delight the moment you say: 'Okay, One Picture and we're History'.
Track Listing
1. "No Sign of Ghosts" (7.31) Excellent track
2. Carrigan & Dibs (2.40)
3. Strangers in the House (2.36)
4. First Haunting / The Swordfight (5.01) Excellent track
5. March of the Exorcists (2.45) Excellent track
6. The Lighthouse / Casper & Kat (4.57) Excellent track
7. Casper Makes Breakfast (3.42)
8. Fond Memories (3.39)
9. 'Dying' to be a Ghost (7.02) Excellent track
10. Casper's Lullaby (5.40) Excellent track
11. Descent to Lazarus (10.20) Excellent track
12. One Last Wish (4.19) Excellent track
13. Remember me This Way: Jordan Hill * (4.28)
14. Casper the Friendly Ghost: Little Richard ** (2.11) Excellent track
15. The Uncles Swing / End Credits (6.21) Excellent track
* Written By David Foster and Linda Thompson
** Written By Mack David and Jerry Livingston
Total Length: 73.12