Kidzworld goes retro and reviews the 30th anniversary Blu-rays of two hilarious and fun classic sci-fi action comedies that should be in your collection. “Ghostbusters” 1 and 2.
By: Lynn Barker
“I ain’t afraid of no ghosts!” That was the cry shouted in a super popular music video by Ray Parker Jr. back in your parents’ day. Before you go all “Ewww, who cares what was popular with moms and pops?”, you need to check out Ghostbusters, the original and the sequel. You might already have ancient video tapes or early DVDs of these films at home but these great-looking new Blu-rays with extra new features rock!
Ghostbusters on their first jobCourtesy of Sony Pictures
Stories Go
In Ghostbusters, when kooky college Profs Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) and Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) lose their college research positions, they notice that supernatural ghost activity is starting to rule in NYC. Why not form a cool ghost removal service based on science? They enlist Winston (Ernie Hudson) to join them and their first real client is symphony cellist Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver) and nerdy tax accountant Louis Tully (Rick Moranis) who have accidentally opened the gates of hell in their high rise building! Can the Ghostbusters save NYC?
Ghostbusters do a TV commercialCourtesy of Sony Pictures
Ghostbusters 2 finds professors Venkman, Stantz, Spengler and buddy Winston side-lined after their big save of NYC five years before. The guys go back into action when single mom Dana begins to have ghost problems again; this time involving her baby son. The Ghostbusters discover that New York is once again headed for supernatural doom, with a river of ectoplasmic slime bubbling beneath the city and an ancient sorcerer attempting to possess Dana's baby and be born anew. Negative emotions fuel the beast. Can the Ghostbusters cheer up NYC and stop the otherworldly threat?
In Ghostbusters 2, what is this new slime?Courtesy of Sony Pictures
Special Features
On Ghostbusters Blu-ray and Digital HD - New extras include a cool “Poster Gallery” which is really great-looking and worth a flip through.
“Who You Gonna Call: A Ghostbusters Retrospective” is pretty great. Surrounded by all the fun toys and other goods from the films as well as the Eco-Mobile, the iconic car the Ghostbusters drive, entertainment Journalist Geoff Boucher interviews Director Ivan Reitman and Co-Writer/Actor Dan Aykroyd, whose memories of writing the script, ad-libbing, shooting in NYC, all of actor/writer Harold Ramis’ contributions (especially great since he recently passed away), fan reaction then and now, special effects of the day; some on set, some early computer-generated, the fun music and much more! A great featurette.
The demon Gozer apears as a womanCourtesy of Sony Pictures
In “Alternate TV Version Takes” you get a few clips of scenes re-written and tamed down for the first TV showing of the film. Fun to see once.
The entire “Music Video "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker, Jr. is really creative and totally danceable and sing-along-worthy today! Enjoy.
Trapping a hotel ghostCourtesy of Sony Pictures
“Original Extras” are massive and ran on earlier home video releases of the film. They include commentary, talks with the cast, 10 funny deleted scenes, a cool special effects breakdown and trivia. Great.
On Ghostbusters 2 Blu-ray and Digital HD – We have all new extras! “Time is But a Window” continues the interview discussion and memories with director Ivan Reitman and actor/writer Dan Aykroyd. There are some “Deleted Scenes” and a music video called “On Our Own” by Bobby Brown. All are fun and add to the enjoyment but, of course, we could use more.
The Ghostbusters post-marshmallow slimingCourtesy of Sony Pictures
Wrapping Up
The Ghostbusters films display comedy genius at work. Big gun funnymen (who also happen to be great actors), Bill Murray, Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd provide classic ad-libs and dialogue that can’t be beat. Alien’s Sigourney Weaver and funnyman Rick Moranis are amazing in their roles dishing out just the right mix of humor and terrified-of-the-supernatural reactions needed.
Dana (Sigourney Weaver) possessed by demon GozerCourtesy of Sony Pictures
Of course, the sequel Ghostbusters 2 isn’t as great as the original but still very enjoyable with a few new quirks, effects and humor to completely entertain you. If you don’t mind, your parents will probably want to watch these classics again with you and your BFFs.
The giant Stay-Puffed Marshmallow ManCourtesy of Sony Pictures
These PG films are re-mastered in HD so they look amazing. The soundtracks are also re-tweaked and the movies sound great! Blu-ray has improved the enjoyment immensely. Throw away all those old video tapes or DVDs and pick up these two Blu-ray versions. Watch these movies right now or for Halloween. With the “Digital HD” capability, you can enjoy them on all of your devices! Of course we always want more fun stuff; a lot of goofball outtakes would have been hilarious but, for the “set” of the two films, we go 4 stars.
Ghostbusters 1 & 2: 30th Anniversary Blu-ray Rating:
Ghostbusters 1 and 2 Cover art
Ghostbusters 1 & 2: 30th Anniversary Blu-ray is now available!
