Five years after the phenomenally successful Ghostbusters came this fun sequel. Blamed for the destruction of much of New York, the guys have been banned from working as ghostbusters – Ray Stantz (Aykroyd) and fourth ghostbuster Winston (Ernie Hudson) perform for kiddie parties, Venkman (Murray) hosts a psychic TV show and Egon Spengler (Ramis) continues in his studies. They’re brought back together when Venkman’s ex, Dana (Weaver), reports that mystical weirdness is happening around her baby son, Oscar, and when ghostly sightings occur all around the city, the team are allowed to go back into action.
While the plot isn’t as fresh as in the first film (apparently, it’s Manhattanites’ bad vibes that are causing lots of ghostly ectoplasmic goo to flow under the city and create all the problems) and the bad guy not as unique (it’s some grumpy guy in a painting, who first possesses Peter MacNicol’s annoying museum artist Janosz), this still has some laughs and good comic effects, and is certainly worth a look if you are a fan of Part I. Note that Dan Aykroyd and the gang are hopefully back for a third instalment in December 2012.
Is Ghostbusters II suitable for kids? Here are our parents’ notes...
Younger viewers may be scared of Vigo, the bad guy who originally appears in a painting.
If you like this, why not try: Men In Black, Elf, Garfield, Casper, Jumanji,