Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Underrated Sequel, November 19, 2000
"Ghostbusters II" recieved a fair amount of bad press when it was first released, but it is a charming, well produced and yes, funny sequel to the first blockbuster. The film picks up five years after the original. We find the Ghostbusters out of business and broke, Bill Murray is hosting a bizarre cable access show called "World of the Psychic" and Ackroyd and Ernie Hudson are performing at children's parties. Aren't the parents nervous about the GB's wielding their proton packs around thier youngsters??The story speeds up when the Ghostbusters reunite and discover the soul of an ancient tyrant resides in a portrait in a museum. The tyrant, named Vigo has decided to take possession of Sigourney Weaver's child so he can live again to rule the world. This plot seems more disturbing than the plot in the first film, but director Ivan Reitman gives us plenty of humor to counter balance. While not as funny as the first film, "Ghostbusters II" proves to be an entertaining follow up to the first classic film. After years of viewing, "Ghostbusters II" reveals itself to be a classic in it's own right.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
I honestly prefer 2 to the original, August 1, 2007
I'm going to go against the crowd here and say that Ghostbusters 2 is a superior film to the original, and here's why:
While it is true that the original GB was an original surprise hit, beating out Indiana Jones, Gremlins, and other big movies in the summer of 84, Bill Murray was coming off of Stripes and was playing the same smarmy guy he always played in the early 80s. In GB 2, Murray is way more likable and he allows his great costars to have more fun moments, like the discovery of the river of slime, Rick Moranis gets to be the Ghostbusters' lawyer and "suits up" as an honorary Ghostbuster this time. Anne Potts, Harold Ramis, Dan Akroyd, and Ernie Hudson ALL have better material and seem more interesting this time around.
I like the way both Ghostbuster films make use of New York locations. Ghosts and undead beings walking around New York is a fascinating sight that never gets old because the special effects are really top notch.
This movie is just less cynical than the original. In fact I love that the overriding message of the film is that people sort of created the river of slime by being so cynical and that New Yorkers could pull together and change that outlook. That interesting theme gives this movie a heart that the original lacked I think.
But all of that aside, I just think it is a funnier movie. In the courtroom when the Ghostbusters put on their proton packs and sing "Doe," Ray," "Egon," and the look Harold Ramis flashes Murry is priceless.
Anyway this is probably the best movie ever inspired by Saturday Night Live cast-members, at least in my book. So give it another try.
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7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Far too light and tame to be a REAL sequel., October 3, 2004
A lot of the original magic is absent in this belated sequel. The storyline isn't up to much and is never taken full advantage of. One thing that is sorely missed is the wide, powerful score from the first film. The late Elmer Bernstein ducked out of scoring this one and (the awful) Randy Edelman took over. This could have been alright if he respected Bernstein's work but he used none of the themes from the original. It's all just light-hearted cues and dullness.
The plot takes a backseat to long character explanation and development. The Ghostbusters have been out of business since blowing up Central Park West. Which is total crap! The saved the world from the destruction of Gozer. Why the hell would they go out of business? A totally ridiculous story that does nothing but aggravate fans of the first. Who on earth thought of this?
Now the Ghostbusters are forbidden from performing public services. But a narrow-minded Judge wants to send them to jail for causing a massive blackout. Then, 2 ghosts show up and they bust them and before you can say 'Who ya gonna call?' they are back busting undead ass.
Something I find very stupid and annoying about the plot is that the aforementioned Judge and a City Attorney repeatedly say that they do not believe in ghosts. Obviously these guys have forgotten about the 200-foot marshmallow man and the evil voice of Gozer booming all over Manhattan Island.
And this time the villain isn't as scary as the Gozer. Now we have Vigo, a 14th century madman who wants to return to living form and has targeted Weaver's child as his host. He plans to do this before the stroke of midnight on New Years Eve 1989 or some baloney. For a film that has it's build-up and climax on New Year's Eve there is no mention Xmas whatsoever. And the ending with the hidden painting is REALLY corny.
Bill Murray was very open about his distaste for this film when it came out. He said it was pointless and he never really wanted to do it. The Ghostbusters franchise was taken in a much stronger direction with The Real Ghostbusters TV show. At least with that they never went out of business for saving the world. Honestly, what stupidity!
However, it was thanks to the TV show that this movie was toned down a bit and more family-friendly. But the TV show and the first movie have something this film doesn't; atmosphere.
A scoop of trivia: In the montage with the Ghostbusters running all over New York after suddenly coming back into Business we see a clip of Ray driving like a maniac and Peter gives him a strange look. This scene was originally going to follow after the scene in which Ray is hypnotised by the painting of Vigo. The Ectomobile was supposed to crash into a tree in Central Park and we see a shot of the license plate fall off and Ray come out of his trance. But this entire scene was cut from the film and is only left in the montage.
Ghostbusters 2 is to Ghostbusters what MIIB was to MIB. A total repeat. Which makes the out-of-business/back-in-business plot even more retarded as we have to go through the establishments all over again instead of devoting that time to a stronger, better plot.
Filmed in Panavision the DVD is in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen with good Dolby 5.1 sound. There are no extras other than a trailer.
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