In 1984, “Ghostbusters” became a critical and commercial success. It’s high concept about four guys capturing ghosts launched a called, “The Real Ghostbusters.” Not canon to the first movie, its sole intention was for Kenner to sell toys in order to replicate Star Wars a bunch of action figures. It was the ’80s. “Transformers,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & “G.I. Joe” were a trend for toy companies to make big bucks. It’ still ongoing today.
Anyway, Sony contacted Dan Aykroyd & Harold Ramis to pen a sequel and reprise their roles. In one condition, make it family-friendly for kids. They reluctantly agree. Bill Murray & Ernie Hudson signed on the reprise their roles. The former dislikes the script and lighter tone. The four only came back for a steady paycheck. Feeling pressured over busy schedules and Sony telling them to pick up the pace upon learning then upcoming films of 1989, Tim Burton’s “Batman,” “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” & “Back to the Future Part II” were getting people excited. After several months of a rushed production “Ghostbusters II” was distributed worldwide.
Released in 1989, (same year Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade came out) Ghostbusters II earned less praise and money than the first movie. “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” is already out. Before I see it, I wanna share my thoughts on the second movie.
It doesn’t matter if SPOILER are listed. Ghostbusters II is just a repeat of the original.
Alive and Dead Qualities
Alive: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Harold Ramis, Sigourney Weaver, Annie Potts & Rick Moranis reprise their roles. They all did a great job for their respective performances.
Peter MacNicol & Max Von Sydow both did a decent job for their respective performances.
Practical Effects were heavily involved.
Remember that bratty kid at the birthday party? It’s Jason Reitman. He went on to follow his father’s footsteps as a director.
Run D.M.C. perform an updated version of the theme song. It’s used during a montage sequence.
Bobby Brown’s “On Our Own” is played when our heroes are under arrest. I know Bobby’s a public embarrassment, but his song is catchy as heck. I have no choice, but to give it Bonus Points.
Bill’s real-life brother, Brian Doyle-Murray, appears as a psychiatric doctor.
Cheech Marin makes a cameo appearance as a dock worker witnessing ghosts walking out of the Titanic.
Dead: Ivan Reitman didn’t do so well directing. It’s not his fault. He was obligated by Sony to finish filming. This isn’t the last time Ivan directed the same premise based on Ghostbusters. Does “Evolution” ring any bells. I see it as “Ghostbusters: Mad Libs Edition.”
Dan & Harold’s script has several elements from the first movie. They were obligated by Sony to get it over with. It’s not their fault, blame Sony.
The Tone is lighter than the original movie. A failed attempt to gather a bunch of kids in order to gain more money than last time. That’s what happens when you try to replicate The Real Ghostbusters cartoon into live-action format. At least Return of the Jedi’s tone took a big gamble incorporating Ewoks. They weren’t a problem. There were some dark moments like The Emperor zapping Luke. Dana’s son, Oscar, is a metaphor for the family-friendly tone.
A psychic at Peter’s talk show predicts the world will end in 2016. The closest thing to end the world is a franchise. Paul Feig killed it for directing the 2016 reboot. He refuses to acknowledge the reboot’s flaws. I lost my respect for him. Why? Because Paul promoted dumb male stereotypes and made the female characters smarter, but they act like bumbling idiots. He done Chris Hemsworth dirty by making him super dumb. I’ll never forgive Paul for killing a franchise. Thankfully, Jason Reitman resurrected the series with “Ghostbusters Afterlife.” Meaning, the 2016 reboot is not canon.
Humor involving baby jokes didn’t make me laugh. Am I watching “Look Who’s Talking” or a supernatural comedy?
It takes approximaely half an hour for our heroes to get back in business.
Vigo’s plan is to possess Oscar. Why didn’t he kidnap and take over a martial artist or high-ranking gun for hire? That would’ve made the stakes higher. Vigo’s dumber than a Bond villain from the pre-Dainel Craig era.
Here’s a few things recycled from the first movie.
- Kurt Fuller’s character, Jack Hardemeyer is a carbon copy of Walter Peck. The former has an argument with our heroes.
- Dana is kidnapped again by the main villain.
- Y’all remember Peter & Dana became a couple at the end? They broke up. However, they reconcile and renew their relationships.
- Winston has less screen time than his partners.
- Countless ghosts wreak havoc in New York City.
- The Statue of Liberty roams the streets like Stay Puft Marshmellow Man.
The Final Verdict: C, FOR CLUTTERED!
Although it has some good moments, from my point of view, Ghostbusters II is the second biggest disappointment of 1989. “The Little Mermaid” takes the top spot. Not horrendously bad like the 2016 reboot. Just a pale imitation of the first movie. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 