Personally don't entirely agree with the previous reviewer on the 40s-50s Casper the Friendly Ghost shorts. It is true that they could get repetitive, some of the dialogue was twee and too on the sentimental side and some of the later cartoons did have some not-so-great animation as a result of Famous Studios' cartoons having lower budgets at the time. Most of the cartoons though are very nicely animated, they are sweet, charming, often poignant and a good deal of the early 50s cartoons were funny, not to mention that they all had outstanding music scores, even the lesser ones.
The New Casper Cartoon Show, getting back on target, is a very good, charming show. Is it better than the shorts? To this viewer, yes it is, and is very likely to appeal more to most. Throughout the show is very nicely animated, not as smooth or as mellow as the late 40s Casper cartoons but cleaner and smoother than the animation in the mid-late-50s cartoons. It is very colourful and vibrant with detailed backgrounds that have a simple quaintness and atmosphere and all the characters and drawings are drawn well. All the episodes contain great music too, from the rousingly peppy opening credits to the merry, whimsical and beautifully orchestrated music accompanying the action (which it does beautifully, adding a lot and making everything even better than it already is). Loved the use of Casper's main theme too, and the lyrics in the opening credits introduce the characters very cleverly.
It's a very well-written show too, there is much less cloying moping and more emphasis on playful humour and easy-going wit, something that some will find preferable over the original shorts. Throughout the series, there are some well-timed and never less than amusing gags, that allow the short running time to skip by. The story lines are also much more varied and less repetitive, while still adhering to the basic idea of Casper wanting to make friends and trying to help and pleasingly with more emphasis on his ghostly powers. While not with the most surprising of outcomes, they are very funny stories wisely not trying to do anything too complicated, with plenty of charm and with the odd spooky parts, and any sentimental parts don't feel too much.
Casper as ever is an endearing protagonist, while the Ghostly Trio are menacingly spooky and riotous fun and the supporting characters (Wendy in her occasional appearances being among the most memorable) are worthy supporting characters. The voice acting is solid.
Overall, a very charming and worthwhile show featuring Casper the Friendly Ghost. Not a milestone but time is always well worth spent. 9/10 Bethany Cox
