Overview of Ghostbusters II (1989)
“Ghostbusters II” (1989) is a supernatural comedy sequel to the original film. Set five years later, the Ghostbusters have disbanded, but reunite when Dana Barrett seeks their help. She’s experiencing paranormal activity involving her baby and a river of pink slime beneath the city.
The team discovers the malevolent spirit of Vigo the Carpathian seeks to return by possessing Dana’s baby. With Dana, her baby, and their attorney Louis Tully, they battle Vigo’s plans. Utilizing New Yorkers’ positive emotions, they defeat Vigo atop the Manhattan Museum of Art.
The film ends with the Ghostbusters celebrated as heroes, Dana and Peter rekindle their relationship, and the team continues their paranormal investigations. Despite criticism for mirroring the first film’s plot and lacking its freshness, “Ghostbusters II” maintains its charm with witty humor, memorable characters, and impressive special effects.
Though not as groundbreaking as its predecessor, it still entertains with its blend of supernatural spectacle and comedic hijinks, making it a beloved addition to the Ghostbusters franchise.
| Title | Ghostbusters II |
|---|---|
| Genre | Supernatural Comedy |
| Director | Ivan Reitman |
| Release Year | 1989 |
| Setting | Five years after the events of the first film |
| Main Characters | – Peter Venkman (Bill Murray) – Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) – Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) – Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver) – Louis Tully (Rick Moranis) |
| Plot Overview | The Ghostbusters reunite to battle paranormal activity in New York City, involving a malevolent entity named Vigo the Carpathian, who seeks to possess Dana’s baby to return to the world of the living. Utilizing positive emotions, they defeat Vigo and save the city. |
| Reception | Criticized for mirroring the plot of the first film but praised for its humor, characters, and special effects. Maintains its charm as a beloved addition to the Ghostbusters franchise. |
Plot of the Movie
Set five years after the events of the first film, the Ghostbusters have gone their separate ways due to a series of lawsuits. Ray Stantz now runs a bookstore specializing in the paranormal, Egon Spengler conducts experiments on the paranormal at a university, and Peter Venkman hosts a TV show about psychics.
When Dana Barrett, now a single mother, experiences paranormal activity involving her baby and a river of pink slime flowing beneath the city, she seeks out the Ghostbusters for help. The team reunites and investigates the strange occurrences.
They discover that the source of the paranormal activity is a powerful entity known as Vigo the Carpathian, a 16th-century tyrant whose spirit seeks to return to the world of the living by possessing Dana’s baby, Oscar. Vigo plans to use the negative energy generated by the city’s inhabitants to manifest himself in the physical world.
With the help of Dana, her baby Oscar, and their old nemesis, Louis Tully, who has become the Ghostbusters’ attorney, the team sets out to stop Vigo’s plans. They face various challenges, including battling ghosts and navigating the city’s underground tunnels filled with pink slime.
In the climax, the Ghostbusters confront Vigo at the top of the Manhattan Museum of Art, where he attempts to possess Oscar. Using the positive energy generated by the people of New York City, particularly their love and joy, the Ghostbusters defeat Vigo and banish him back to the spirit realm.
In the end, the Ghostbusters are hailed as heroes once again, and Dana and Peter rekindle their romantic relationship. The film concludes with the team celebrating their victory as they continue their paranormal investigations.
Reasons to Watch It
“Ghostbusters II” is worth watching for its witty humor, memorable characters, nostalgic 80s vibe, and supernatural spectacle, offering a fun and entertaining experience for fans of the original and newcomers alike.
Continuation of a Classic – For fans of the original “Ghostbusters,” watching the sequel provides a chance to revisit the beloved characters and their adventures in the paranormal world. Humor and Wit: Like its predecessor, “Ghostbusters II” is packed with witty humor and clever dialogue, providing plenty of laughs throughout the film. Memorable Characters – The characters of Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, Egon Spengler, Dana Barrett, and Louis Tully are iconic and endearing, making it enjoyable to see them back in action. Supernatural Spectacle – The film offers a mix of supernatural elements, including ghosts, paranormal activity, and the mysterious pink slime, providing an engaging and entertaining spectacle. Nostalgia – “Ghostbusters II” evokes a sense of nostalgia for the 1980s era, with its music, fashion, and pop culture references, making it a fun trip down memory lane for viewers who grew up during that time. Visual Effects – While the special effects may seem dated by today’s standards, they were impressive for their time and still hold up reasonably well, adding to the overall enjoyment of the film. Themes of Friendship and Teamwork – The film emphasizes the importance of friendship and teamwork, as the Ghostbusters come together to overcome challenges and save the day once again. Positive Message – With its theme of harnessing positive energy to defeat evil, “Ghostbusters II” delivers a heartwarming message about the power of love and unity in the face of darkness.
Overall, “Ghostbusters II” offers a fun and entertaining experience for both fans of the original film and newcomers alike, making it a worthwhile watch for anyone in search of a lighthearted adventure with a supernatural twist.
Reasons to Avoid It
Some viewers may choose to avoid “Ghostbusters II” due to its repetitive plot, dated effects, and perceived lack of freshness compared to the original film.
Repetitive Plot – The film has been criticized for mirroring the plot of the original “Ghostbusters,” which may feel repetitive and lacking in originality to some viewers. Less Freshness – While the humor and charm of the original film are still present, “Ghostbusters II” may not feel as fresh or innovative, potentially disappointing those expecting something new and exciting. Dated Special Effects – While the special effects were impressive for their time, they may appear dated and less convincing to modern audiences, detracting from the overall viewing experience. Underdeveloped Story – Some critics have noted that the storyline in “Ghostbusters II” feels rushed and underdeveloped, with less depth and complexity compared to its predecessor. Less Critical Acclaim – Unlike the original film, “Ghostbusters II” received mixed reviews from critics, with some feeling that it did not live up to the high expectations set by its predecessor. Lack of Character Development – While the main characters are still charming and likable, there may be a lack of significant character development or growth, making it less engaging for some viewers. Nostalgia Over Substance – While the film evokes nostalgia for the 1980s era, some viewers may feel that it relies too heavily on nostalgia rather than delivering a compelling and original story.
Overall, while “Ghostbusters II” may still have its merits, including humor and memorable characters, some viewers may choose to avoid it due to its repetitive plot, dated effects, and less critical acclaim compared to the original film.
Critical Response
“Ghostbusters II” garnered mixed reviews from critics upon its release in 1989. While some praised the return of the beloved characters and the film’s witty humor, others found fault with various aspects of the sequel.
One common criticism was that the plot of “Ghostbusters II” felt too derivative of the original film. Critics pointed out similarities in the storyline, including the team reuniting to battle a supernatural threat to New York City. This lack of originality led some reviewers to feel that the sequel failed to live up to the novelty and creativity of its predecessor.
Additionally, there were concerns about the pacing and development of the storyline. Some critics felt that the plot of “Ghostbusters II” was rushed and lacked the depth and complexity of the first film. Characters and subplots were perceived as underdeveloped, leaving the audience with less emotional investment in the outcome.
Furthermore, while the special effects were impressive for their time, some critics noted that they appeared dated by contemporary standards. This could detract from the overall viewing experience for audiences accustomed to more advanced visual effects in modern films.
Despite these criticisms, “Ghostbusters II” still found its audience among fans of the original film and those nostalgic for the 1980s era. The humor, charm, and chemistry of the main cast were still present, providing entertainment value for many viewers.
Ultimately, while “Ghostbusters II” may not have received the same level of critical acclaim as its predecessor, it remains a beloved part of the Ghostbusters franchise for its nostalgic appeal and continued exploration of supernatural adventures in New York City.
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Positive Aspects | – Return of beloved characters – Witty humor – Entertaining supernatural spectacle |
| Negative Aspects | – Derivative plot reminiscent of the original film – Rushed storyline – Dated special effects |
| Overall Assessment | Mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its nostalgic charm while others critiquing its lack of originality and underdeveloped plot. |
Key Themes
Key themes in “Ghostbusters II” include redemption, friendship, overcoming fear, the power of positive energy, the nature of evil, acceptance, belief, and nostalgia.
Redemption and Second Chances – The film explores the concept of redemption as the Ghostbusters, who have faced setbacks and criticism since the events of the first film, get a second chance to prove themselves and save the city once again. Friendship and Camaraderie – The bond between the members of the Ghostbusters team is a central theme, highlighting the importance of friendship and teamwork in overcoming challenges and achieving success. Overcoming Fear and Doubt – The characters confront their own fears and doubts as they face the return of supernatural threats, emphasizing the importance of courage and resilience in the face of adversity. Positive Energy and Love – The film emphasizes the power of positive emotions, particularly love and joy, in combating negativity and evil. The Ghostbusters ultimately defeat the villain by harnessing the positive energy of the people of New York City. The Nature of Evil – “Ghostbusters II” explores the nature of evil through the character of Vigo the Carpathian, a malevolent entity seeking to return to the world of the living. The film delves into the origins and motivations of evil and the efforts to combat it. Acceptance and Belief – The film touches upon themes of acceptance and belief in the supernatural, as the characters come to terms with the existence of ghosts and paranormal phenomena and rally together to confront them. Nostalgia and Pop Culture -“Ghostbusters II” evokes a sense of nostalgia for the 1980s era and pays homage to pop culture of the time, reflecting on the cultural landscape and societal attitudes of the period.
Overall, these themes contribute to the rich tapestry of “Ghostbusters II,” adding depth and resonance to the comedic and supernatural elements of the film.
Memorable Moments
“Memorable moments in ‘Ghostbusters II’ include the baby carriage chase, the Statue of Liberty’s dance, Vigo’s menacing appearance, the reactions to the mood slime, Louis Tully’s possession, the discovery of the river of slime, and the climactic museum showdown.”
The Baby Carriage Chase – One of the most iconic scenes in the film is when the Ghostbusters pursue a possessed baby carriage through the streets of New York City, showcasing both action and humor. The Statue of Liberty’s Dance – In a memorable and lighthearted moment, the Ghostbusters use a positively charged mood slime to animate the Statue of Liberty and have her march through the streets of New York City to rally the citizens against Vigo. Vigo’s Appearance – The menacing and eerie introduction of Vigo the Carpathian, a powerful and ancient villain, is a standout moment in the film, setting the stage for the Ghostbusters’ ultimate showdown. The Mood Slime Reactions – The various reactions and manifestations of the mood slime, including its ability to amplify emotions and animate objects, provide both comedic and suspenseful moments throughout the film. Louis Tully’s Possession – Rick Moranis’s portrayal of Louis Tully being possessed by Vigo provides comedic relief amidst the supernatural chaos, with Louis’s transformation into the “Keymaster” adding a humorous twist to the plot. The River of Slime – The discovery of the river of pink slime flowing beneath New York City adds a mysterious and otherworldly element to the film, setting the stage for the Ghostbusters’ investigation into the source of the paranormal activity. The Museum Showdown – The climactic battle between the Ghostbusters and Vigo at the Manhattan Museum of Art, culminating in their use of positive emotions to defeat the villain, is a thrilling and satisfying conclusion to the film.
The inclusion of these memorable moments significantly enhances the charm and entertainment quotient of “Ghostbusters II,” solidifying its status as a cherished installment within the Ghostbusters franchise.
Streaming Platforms
“Ghostbusters II” can be streamed on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play Movies & TV, YouTube Movies, Vudu, Microsoft Store, Hulu, Sony Crackle, and DIRECTV.
| Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Video | Yes |
| iTunes | Yes |
| Google Play Movies & TV | Yes |
| YouTube Movies | Yes |
| Vudu | Yes |
| Microsoft Store | Yes |
| Hulu | Yes (availability may vary by region) |
| Sony Crackle | Yes |
| DIRECTV | Yes |
