Ghostbusters (Widescreen Edition) Reviews

• Ghostbusters: The Reason for Owning a DVD Player!

  
  By A326TH21VE2NPY on 2000-03-14
  I have grown up with "Ghostbusters", and was a fan of the cartoon series, the toys, and of course, the movies. I still am, and unfortunately, I wasn't all that pleased with Criterion's laserdisc release of the film. The picture contained a lot of noise, and the matte lines were so visible, that even director Ivan Reitman was upset about it. That's not the case here. With the release of "Ghostbusters" on DVD, digitally remastered and crammed to the gills with extras, including a live video commentary with Ivan Reitman and Harold Ramis that looks much like "Mystery Science Theater 3000", this makes the purpose of the invention of a DVD player clear! This DVD is excellent! It has everything I hoped for! They(Columbia/Tristar) really outdid themselves with this DVD. It includes numerous documentaries(instead of the usual 1 or 2), production photos, sketch artist drawings, and deleted scenes. Commenting on the deleted scenes, one of them was very strange, in which Dan Aykroyd and Bill Murray play street bums instead of Venkman and Stantz, with Bill Murray doing his "Caddyshack" riff. It's amazing that the cameras rolled for it, but it's there. The only thing missing was the inclusion of a scene that found it's way into the Criterion laserdisc, which followed the three ghostbusters leaving the college and Venkman commenting on how "he's gonna win the nobel prize". Still, it also becomes intuitively obvious why those scenes were cut once you watch them. Anyway, if you have a DVD player and do not have this DVD, you are really missing out. It's hard to think why anyone would not want to add the "Ghostbusters" DVD to their collection. If you don't like it, your as dead as those ghosts running around.
  
  

• Central Park West was never funnier.

  
  By A2WSI8HOWHFDOT on 2004-07-13
  No need to tell anyone that GHOSTBUSTERS was the best comedy of the 80s (and probably better than anything in the 90s). Without resorting to adolescent potty humor (like PORKY'S or AMERICAN PIE), GHOSTBUSTERS relied on a super script, powerful directing, and the best acting jobs of the cast's careers. It did NOT rely on the special effects. As another reviewer perfectly put it, the special effects served the plot, not the other way around.

  What I do need to tell you is that what makes this set worth the price is the gravy: all those extras, like the interviews, special effects demonstrations, and storyboards. The transfer to dvd is great and the enhanced soundtrack complete the value.
  
  

• OPEN THE TRAP

  
  By A238M34Z3X2IBD on 2000-01-10
  When you pick up GHOSTBUSTERS on DVD you're picking up more than just a movie, but a library. Packed, stacked, and fully featured, GHOSTBUSTERS is the end all be all of movies (on a FIDDLE FACTOR of one to ten, i.e. - bells, knobs, whistles... GHOSTBUSTERS is a ten... you will spend a good hour or two just playing with all the features). Beside a clean transfer, excellent sound and a timeless movie, you get commentary, concept to screen both in art work and special effects (a chance to use your ANGLE button here where you can watch the finished scene, then flip to the rough cut and special effect cut of the same scene). Excellent interactive menus (wait long enough and STAY PUFF will turn a corner and come marching down the street), a FACTS and TRIVIA track which scrolls inside information in subtitles under the film. Three extra trailers for GROUNDHOG DAY, STRIPES and GHOSTBUSTERS 2 are also included... shamless promotion, but also of historial interest as well... when was the last time you saw the STRIPES preview? All in all... buy it.
  
  

• BUY THE DVD !

  
  By A1BXV0YGQTZSVJ on 1999-11-26
  I saw the DVD-Version of the film yesterday. There is abolutely no discussion, that this picture is a cult-film and a masterpiece. But even better than the film itself, are the extra features on the DVD! You must have this version! Video-Documentary, 2 featurettes, Storyboard Comparison, Making Of, Trailers and more... This is by now the best DVD I've seen. Other great examples are: Boogie Night, Alien, Matrix
  
  

• If there's something strange in your neighborhood, who ya gonna call?

  
  By AWKS19GG8ZAQ2 on 2008-05-18
  Ghostbusters! Directed by Ivan Reitman of Meatballs Starring Dr. Spengler (Harold Ramis) Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) and Peter Venkman (Bill Murray) Co-starring Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver) Janine Melnitz (Annie Potts) Louis Tully (Rick Moranis) and Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson) is about four parapsychologists trying to rid New York of ... you guessed it, ghosts. This single movie produced some of the most used references today. And one of the most recognizable icons of the mid-eighties ... Slimer, A green blob ghost. This movie is quite charming and funny. The movie starts with three out-of-work scientists who form Ghostbusters in an abandoned fire station. From there they catch ghosts in hotels, subway stations, and a host of other locations. All leading up to a battle with Gozer (Slavitza Jovan). Gozer offers the Ghostbusters a choice: to choose the form of their doom. After clearing their minds, Ray thinks of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. This has become another icon created by this movie. Realizing their proton packs won't stop him, they decide to "cross the streams" I'll end my description there, but don't let my score of 3-stars fool you, this is an iconic movie that everyone will enjoy. But compared to some of the other movies released at that time, it could only earn a three. And if you've watched Ghostbusters, you'd might want to watch Ghostbusters II Ghostbusters 2 (Widescreen Edition)
  
  
• Incredible DVD for an incredible movie
  By on 2000-07-02
  My words simply cannot do justice to this amazing DVD release. If you haven't seen "Ghostbusters", you really don't know what you're missing.

  Incredibly entertaining, "Ghostbusters" is a comedy about paranormal scientists who go into business for themselves in New York City. The Ghostbusters (played finely by Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson) go around Manhattan eliminating the spooks and spirits that trouble people. Director Ivan Reitman's 1984 masterpiece takes an interesting premise and works wonders with it. Funny and suspenseful, "Ghostbusters" features first-rate acting, witty writing, and some impressive special effects.

  This Collector's Series DVD release is unmatched in quality. The anamorphic widescreen presentation makes the film look better than ever before. And the tons of extra features that Columbia has included allows "Ghostbusters" to excel on DVD. Included a three in-depth featurettes, audio commentary (with an innovative "live video" option that shows their silhouettes), deleted scenes, conceptual art, storyboards, trailers, and so much more. The 3-D animated menus are a nice touch. This DVD is highly recommended as it surpasses all the other discs in my collection. If you like "Ghostbusters", you certainly won't be disappointed with this release.
  
  

• Bill Murray at his comedic best
  By A36EW68H08UOCS on 2004-06-26
  It is said that the role of Peter Venkman was originally written for John Belushi, but we'll never know how he would have performed in the role. Fellow "Saturday Night Live" alum Bill Murray stepped into the role and ran away with the movie. Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd fit into the story like a glove in Ivan Reitman's masterpiece, but Bill Murray steals his every scene - which means most of the movie - with a performance full of dead-pan, ironic, world-weary, been-there-done-that hilariousness.

  He has a sarcastic remark for every occasion, and the audience is the only one in on the joke every time.

  When prospective girlfriend Dana Barrett (played by Sigourney Weaver, who gets a plum opportunity to show off her comedic skills) gets possessed by an evil demon, she is transformed into a slinky seductress. Bill Murray has come over to her apartment and in his hilarious dead-pan manner lets the audience know that he recognizes all is not normal with Ms. Barrett. As hilarious and sarcastic as Venkman is, he's at least a gentleman of sorts and doesn't take advantage of the situation when the demon tries to seduce him.

  "Do you want this body?" Sigourney-demon asks him.
  He pauses for a perfect beat before replying:
  "Is this a trick question?"

  The special effects don't look like the CGI visions that have been on screen for a couple of years (this was 1984) yet they're part of the fun. Even so, the special effects serve the story rather than up-staging it, and when the movie was initially released I remember howling with the audience after the first special-effect ghost "attacks" Bill Murray and leaves him on the floor in a glistening mess.
  "He SLIMED me!" Venkman yelled, and we laughed our heads off.

  This disc is not dated by contemporary references - it's just as hilarious today as it was in 1984, and it'll probably be just as funny 100 years from now. The DVD comes with extras that add to the fun, and in the commentary tracks Ivan Reitman and Harold Ramis show that "Ghostbusters" was an absolute highlight in all of their lives.

  Mine too.
  
  

• Ghostbusters - what DVD was invented for
  By A6UGTB17P5BX8 on 2001-11-29
  In this supernatural comedy classic, four guys work as Paranormal Exterminators in NYC, calling themselves the Ghostbusters. They are played by Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson. Its` a very funny and entertaining film, in my opinion due to Bill Murray`s cynical, sarcastic performance and a clever script filled with many classic quotable lines, for example:

  Goezer: Are you a God?
  Ray: No
  Goezer: Then... DIE!!!!
  [Ray is blown backwards through the air]
  Winston: Ray... when someone asks you if you`re a God, you say YES!

  There are also excellent performances from the supporting cast - Sigourney Weaver as Murray`s love interest Dana Barret, and Rick Moranis as the wonderfully nerdy accountant Louis.
  Considering the film is more than 15 years old, the special effects stand up well. The picture quality on the DVD is also superb, after lots of inferior VHS versions.

  As well as the movie, there are some excellent extra features on offer here - 10 deleted scenes that didn`t make the final cut (if you find your TV screen is filled with specks when you watch these - don`t worry, its` not your player) an original 1984 featurette and a newer 1999 one, production notes, and a neat video commentary featuring shadows of Ivan Reitman and Harold Ramis watching the film. This shows that Columbia have actually put some thought and care into the presentation of this disc - adding up to a fantastic package. If only every DVD was like this...

  I really enjoyed this film - if you`re a Ghostbusters fan this DVD is a must buy!
  
  

• "Back off, man. I'm a scientist."
  By ARLKYF9JL3QKB on 2004-10-31
  Still holds up after all these years.
  
  Ignore the kids who rag on the effects. The effects are a tertiary concern. Heck, their cheesiness enhances the fun. The purpose of this movie is the humor - nothing else! It's not a sci-fi flick or an action movie. It's a comedy.
  
  The famous gag lines are too numerous to count but include:
  
  "It's true. This man has no __"
  "What a wonderful singing voice you must have."
  "Important safety tip. Thanks, Egon."
  And (of course) "It's the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man."
  
  
  
• Definately a classic!
  By A11PZ6HSK13L66 on 2004-12-12
  When I received my first ever DVD player, this was the DVD I bought. My parents loved Bill Murray and Dan Ackroyd from SNL, so they had to get it on tape one day. And I got to watch it with them. Love the music, the comedy and, on the DVD, all the special additions, especially the dialouge from the directors.
  
  This is worth the purchase!
  
  
• Edited.
  By AE3K0BPP7RIFM on 2005-08-06
  I've probably watched Ghostbusters fifty or sixty times since I was seven years old. I know the movie word-for-word and scene-for-scene. It's edited, ostensibly for length.
  
  If this bothers you, avoid this disc. If it doesn't, enjoy a classic comedy on the go.
  
  
• Back Off Man- I'm A Scientist
  By A3I9UNEP04ENXC on 2006-01-30
  When Ghostbusters was released in 1984, it became an instant cultural phenomenon and the highest grossing movie of that year. Written by Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd, Ghostbusters is a sci-fi, comedy about three parapsychology professors who are fired from Columbia University and start their own business catching and eliminating ghosts. They are Doctors Egon Spengler(Ramis), Ray Stanz(Aykroyd) and Pete Venkman(Murray). Set in New York City, the Ghostbusters learn that Gozer (which means surgeon who performs circumcisions) The Gozerian is A Sumerian God who plans to enter Earth through the top of an apartment building in Central Park West. Supernatural activity begins to increase throughout the city, and the Ghostbusters are back in business. Gozer has two dog-like creatures named Zuul and Vince Clortho that enter Earth and possess a client of the Ghostbusters named Dana Barrett(Sigourney Weaver), who lives in the apartment complex. A neighbor of hers, Louis Tulley(Rick Moranis) also becomes possessed. They subsequently become The Gatekeeper and The Keymaster who plan to help open the portal that will allow Gozer access. Venkman(coincidentally) falls in love with Dana Barrett before she becomes possessed, and this secures his initiative to take action. The Ghostbusters containment facility is shut down by the EPA and thousands of supernatural ghosts are released throughout the city. The Ghostbusters convince The Mayor of New York to let them attempt to stop Gozer in a final battle on the roof of the building. Gozer gives the Ghostbusters a chance to determine the form he will take and destroy them. He ironically comes in the form of a giant corporate mascot called The Stay-Puft Marshmellow Man. The Ghostbusters "cross the streams" of their nuclear proton packs and reverse the ionization flow that reverses the portal and successfully stops the coming of Gozer. (Essentially, they save themselves from being circumcised).
  
  Bill Murray was at the height of his stardom and arguably has never been better. He improvised many of his lines to great effect and takes over the film with his on screen theatrics and classic one liners. Harold Ramis had just directed Murray in Caddyshack, and their on screen chemistry works like magic-literally and figuratively. The role was originally intended for fellow SNL actor John Belushi before he died of a drug overdose. Dan Aykroyd and Rick Moranis put in great performances as well. Ernie Hudson play Winston Zedmore, the fourth Ghostbuster added later in the film. Ghostbusters is truly one of the great American films that captures the city of New York. The New York Public Library, Central Park, Lincoln Square, Columbia University, Tavern On The Green Restaurant, were all locations shot in the city. There is also a great shot of The World Trade Center Buildings in the film. To shoot Gozer's Temple, Ghostbusters created the largest and most expensive set up to that point, utilizing several Hollywood sound stages. Combining some of the greatest special effects ever seen in a motion picture-up to that point, pure comedic genius, and a great soundtrack from the 1980's, and it's easy to see why Ghostbusters is such a great film for people of all ages. It is serious enough to be incredibly believable, and yet it's incredibly funny at the same time. It's amazing how well Ghostbusters continues to hold up throughout the years. Ghostbusters is truly a classic film and consistently ranked among the top comedies of all time. This is the original DVD that was first released and it contains a wealth of special features including live commentary, story boards, production photos, conceptual drawings, deleted scenes, production notes, an old and new Featurette, several trailers, in a digitally remastered widescreen format with 5.1 audio.
  
  
• The flowers are still standing!!!
  By AY4P8ELLF03ID on 1999-10-10
  What a great line!!! I have to say I have yet to see a more impressive DVD. The picture quality is beyond belief and the extras are endless. An amazing acheivement that truely shows the great technology of DVD videos. A classic film, made even better. A must have for every collection.
  
  
• The perfect movie
  By A1E9DCIU2ED3RI on 2000-08-15
  I'm a young film student and study alot of movies, so most find it hard to believe that Ghostbusters is my favorite movie. Most people think of Ghostbusters a silly kids movie before they even sit down and watch it. This is why Ghostbusters isn't given the credit it deserves. I hope that I can show you why this movie is comparable to Citizen Kane. When I was a kid this was my favorite movie, but I never really understood the movie for what it was. As I grew up, I had grown apart from the movie. My favorite was Mr.Smith goes to Washington. My tastes started to become that of a snoby film critic,who's head is so far up their own a@! that they totaly miss the point of what a movie should be. Not some over the top artsy movie made only to win an oscar, but a simple sense of genius made to give enjoyment to the fans. Movies made not to win awards, but to win smiles. By writers,directors,actors, and the whole crew,who don't care if the movies critticaly aclaimed or dumped upon. Just as long the everyday person enjoys it, and because they enjoyed working on it. It's amazing I was able to figure this out, since my teacher was like all those critics. Why is Ghostbusters so great? Let me reasure you that if you have any doubts about this movie that you can not be dissapointed! This is one of the reasons this movie is so great. It doesn't matter weather you're 6,16,or even 60 you will enjoy this movie. Ghostbusters has something in it for everybody. No matter your intrest. Weather it be ghosts,ghostbusting, comic books, comedy, sci-fi, action, actors that compliment eachother on stage,theateratrical genius, movies that don't make you say,"that was so fake",or don't make you try and figure out how something like that happened, movies that give you something to talk about afterward,movies that you spot something new everytime(trust me I've seen it more then 100 times and I still pick up on things), movies that never get old, or movies that don't have boaring parts,or slow moving scenes,witty comedy,or movies you can enjoy with the whole family. Even if you like scientificly true movies,or don't believe in ghosts(I don't either), Ghostbusters has a very sound science to it. There is a great website that has a very detailed report on the science of it. So you see know how old you are, or what you like you will enjoy this movie. I have argued this movie's singnificance in class time and time agian. Ghostbusters comes up often in class,and not just by me. This movie has an example of almost every technique in it. It's montage is one of the most famous in movie history. Well, I know I said alot,but Ghostbusters deserves it. I also hope I've helped you make your decision about this movie. I didn't really get to the plot, but I think I've said enough. Thanks for reading my thoughts. Now buy the movie and see if you agree with me.
  
  
• Cool, creative and a classic. No doubt.
  By A319SKSB556033 on 2000-10-31
  This movie is a brilliant example of what a blockbuster should be. These days we get nothing but loud soundtracks and empty visual effects but in 1984 Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd wrote a movie that would stand the test of time.

  I wouldn't even say that this film looks `80s. sure, the theme song is dated but it still sounds cool and the overall look of the film hasn't dated the slightest bit in 16 years.

  The major strong point of this film is Elmer Bernstein's strong musical score, which is often overshadowed by Ray Parker Jnr's song. The score is very unorthodox for a film of it's kind and is very powerful is some scenes. Of course the other elements of film too are top class. Bill Murray is great as Peter Venkman, the effects still look way cool and storyline is very imaginative.

  Not a lot of films before on since have had the balls to have a story on such a scale as this. I've seen the deleted scenes and I do think that if they put back into the film it would not necessarily be overrunning.

  The material gave a lot of opportunity for creativity and I think that it has been exploited to it's full potential. There are no grouches with this movie. It is perfect all round.

  The DVD has a gazzillion extra features, is in Dolby 5.1 and is anamorphically enhanced at 2.40:1.
  
  

• If there's something strange...
  By A1XXBVRRNGBG5Y on 2003-12-22
  Ghostbusters is a bona fide classic movie. It has aged spectacularly well and definitely deserves re-watching. I'm sure everyone knows the story by now. Three University professors in parapsychology in New York City get kicked out for being too weird, set up a private ghost-catching company and happily save the world while becoming rich and famous and getting the girl. What a perfect piece of capitalist propaganda from the heart of the Yuppie world, NYC in the eighties! Still, the basic "American Dream" story is easily recognizable and appreciable through any number of leftfield distortions, and the vitality of the script and the brilliance of the lead performances prevent the movie from being too cloying or schmaltz-y. The humor retains a wicked, cutting edge, and certain set pieces are brilliant- Witness, for example, the opening scene of the movie, as Murray turns a psychology experiment into a pick-up scenario. These scenes are still as funny now as they were then, unlike certain other Eighties movies that seem to have lost their cutting edge over time, for example, Teen Wolf or Ferris Beuller's Day Off.
  The supernatural side to the movie (and this was the movie that paved the way for the X-Files, Harry Potter and Crossing Over) is incredibly well set out, as the prophesies begin to come true (just like "The Omen"...) and the group struggle to make sense of what's going on. The science, while pure hokum, is also right-enough to be convincing, and the worlds of religion and politics also get gently mocked too.
  The special effects don't really stand up against the stuff we're used to these days - the hell hound seems particularly lame - but Slimer and Stay Puft exude a certain charm missing from modern CGI.
  My only quibble with this movie is the very end, where the evil god trying to destroy the world seems content to rely on...Mr Stay-Puft. ("No I'm not personally going to kill him - I'm going to put him in an overly elaborate easily escapable death situation and then just assume everything went to plan, what's wrong with that?") One would assume that an evil being intent on destroying the world after so many centuries of waiting would have a Plan B.
  Anyway, go watch Ghostbusters today, and thank god this is one movie they never defiled by making a sequel! Oh no - wait a minute....
  
  
• Still StayingPuft
  By A1JXE27STRRE0H on 2004-07-11
  The movie is classic. Period. Nuff said. End of discussion. Bill Murray is a legend. Every man should have at least one Bill Murray DVD in his collection, and if you only have one, then Ghostbusters has to be it. Sure others will go on about Caddyshack and blah, blah, blah. Those people are idiots. Sure Cadyshack was great, but it is no Ghostbusters. Ghostbusters started a completely new genre: modern sci-fi comedy.

  The DVD itself is great. Nice menus, engaging commentaries, etc., but the DVD still feels a little "light" on extras for such a classic movie. Hopefully it'll get the royal DVD treatment on it's 20th anniversary release.
  
  

• The best comedy of all time.
  By A26ZSYRPA1TCI5 on 2005-02-19
  "Ghostbusters" is my favorite movie of all time. I'd also rate it as the best comedy of all time.
  
  There are no negatives here. I've seen it 60+ times, it holds up as well today as it did on that fateful day in May, 1984.
  
  This is also one of the best DVD packages of all time. Well worth the money, even if you already own the VHS version. Check out that extra features list!
  
  If you like comedies, if you like science-fiction, heck, if you like MOVIES, you have to own this one.
  
  
• Ghostbusters DVD Review: One of the best DVD's out there!
  By A2FRKEXDXDN1KI on 2000-05-27
  I remember when I first watched this movie, I loved it and in fact, I actually built a Ghostbusters contraption backpack using a vacuum cleaner, a match and a can of Lysol. I don't recommend children doing this but the point I'm getting at is that this movie is magical and many people at that time loved it.

  I can't believe how old this movie is...makes me feel old but here I am with the DVD. I wondered how the DVD release would be and now that I have it in my hands, this is out how I felt:

  Good news DVD fans, Columbia Pictures did a great job in delivering this movie on DVD and jam packed it with a whole lot of extras.

  The movie is digitally remastered and watching it doesn't make you feel you are watching a movie over 15 years old. The audio is good but I can't put into words of how happy I am with this DVD because it's packed with so much that it will take me a long time to go through all of it. You get the video commentary of Ivan Reitman and Harold Ramis which is awesome. Storyboards, split-screen compare (which is very cool!), production notes, conceptual drawings, deleted scenes, featurettes from 1999 and from 1984, another documentary by the SFX team, before and after multi-angle (which is very cool), trailers of not just this movie but other Murray and Ramis films, subtitled production notes, I can go on and on....this DVD is awesome!

  The movie was definitely a good SFX movie during it's time and I remember being amazed as a kid on how they made this movie then. It was eye-candy but also with a cool storyline.

  Also, an interesting part of the film is the "Mystery Science 3000" shadows during the commentary. Pretty cool!

  What you have here is one of the best made DVD's available at this time. Columbia/Tristar did a wonderful job and everyone involved with the Ghostbuster project should be commended.

  They talk about how to make DVD's more purchasable than just for rent, if Columbia continues with making DVD's like these, I'm buying all of them because this is purely one of the best, complete package DVD's out there.

  Also, the box set which includes both movies is priced very well and I highly recommend buying the box set.
  
  

• Who you gonna call ?
  By A19IPL2GDZSS3G on 2000-04-29
  Ghostbusters could almost be what DVD was designed for: a film jammed with special effects which benefits no end from the crystal clear picture DVD offers, combined with a whole host of fun extras, including deleted scenes and endless amounts of trivia for film buffs. The movie itself is good family entertainment, and has dated less than you might expect. Having said that, whilst I was initially delighted by this disc, and had a great time playing with all the bonus features, I found the film better than when I watched it years ago on VHS. Great for kids also, but really this movie is an all time classic.
  
  
• Number 28, Baby!
  By A3TNAC1EWMG39T on 2000-06-24
  The American Film Institute recently released its list of top100 comedies.

  There were many I was pleasantly surprised to see makethe grade, including "Big," (number 42) "Harvey," (number 35) and "Groundhog Day (number 34)."

  There were also several glaring omissions: No "Clerks"? "The Jerk" (number 89) over better Steve Martin fare like "Roxanne" or "Bowfinger"? And just how did "Some Like It Hot" edge out "Deuce Bigelow: Male Gigolo" for number one?

  However, I'm simply ecstatic that the Institute saw fit to recognize one of the best movies of all time: "Ghostbusters" (number 28).

  Of course, if I were in charge, the 1984 Bill Murray-Dan Aykroyd-Harold Ramis-Ernie Hudson hit flick would be a lot higher on the list. Like, say, number one?

  The movie follows Murray's Dr. Peter Venkman, Aykroyd's Dr. Ray Stantz, Ramis' Dr. Egon Spengler and Hudson's Winston Zeddemore as they open a "professional paranormal investigations and eliminations" agency, complete with smart-talking secretary Janine Melnitz (Annie Potts). They encounter the sultry Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver- no relation) and nerdy Louis Tully (Rick Moranis) and battle demigod Gozer the Gozerian atop a demonic apartment building before facing off with a hundred-foot Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.

  Classic, man. Classic.

  A sequel was released five years later, featuring a river of slime, a harrowing courtroom encounter with long dead murderers, the spirit of Vigo the Carpathian (yet another demigod) trapped in a painting in the Manhattan Museum of Art, and the Statue of Liberty sashaying through New York City. "Ghostbusters II" wasn't a bad movie by any means, but there was room for improvement.

  My obsession really began when I started watching the TV cartoon series "The Real Ghostbusters," based on the movie and featuring voice talents of Maurice LaMarche (the Brain in "Pinky and the Brain") as Egon, Frank Welker (Megatron from "Transformers") as Ray and, in the early years, Arsenio Hall as Winston and Lorenzo Music (voice of "Garfield") as Peter.

  The series dealt more with the GBs' supernatural experiences than the movies did. Our heroes faced baddies like the Sandman, who wanted to put everybody to sleep for a hundred years, or the Boogeyman, who haunted childrens' closets and fed off of their fear. Samhaine, the pumpkin-headed ghoul who wanted to make Halloween last forever, was by far and away my fave, and portrayed in such a way he (it?) is still one of the best villains in cartoon history.

  Classic, man. Classic.

  I watched every episode religiously, bought all the toys (I still have the ghost trap!), essentially breathed "Ghostbusters" 24-7. I wanted to be a Ghostbuster when I grew up. Come to think of it, I still do. (Don't laugh. I know people who feel the same way about "My Little Pony.")

  Ninja Turtles come and go, but Ghostbusters are forever.

  I don't know why the TV show and the movies affected me as strongly as they did. But I was surfin' the Net recently (see- there are alternatives to studying) and found a site...which allows you to view entire, unedited episodes of the series. (Except, as luck would have it, the episodes featuring Samhaine. But check out "Deja Boo" for a thrill.)

  Guess what I found? The show still holds its own, and is far more intelligent than any of the programs they're directing towards kids today. Now that I'm older, I can find even more to love.

  The Ghostbusters themselves are viable, fascinating characters who are no longer outshone by the phantasms who haunt them. And the wit!

  Complex characters, great dialogue, fascinating stories- "Ghostbusters" had it all, including a great theme song from Ray Parker, Jr. (All together: "There's something strange ... in the neighborhood ...) and the best catchphrases ever in "I ain't afraid of no ghost" and "Who you gonna call?" The world ain't been the same since they left.

  Tim Allen ("Home Improvement," "Galaxy Quest") said something during the AFI broadcast that I think sums up the essence of the "Ghostbusters" phenomenon and explains the popularity: " You want to be with funny people when the devil shows up."

  Classic, man. Classic.
  
  

• BORING! - but nice DVD...
  By A3PX6RMUV63XL1 on 2001-03-05
  The only people who seem to like this movie are the ones that saw it in the theater when it came out. It's called nostalgia. For anyone watching this movie for the first time on DVD, you will be very disappointed.

  The DVD itself has a very high quality transfer and excellent extra features. So if you are already a fan, you will be very pleased indeed.
  
  

• Ghostbustin in Style
  By A2QQHIY23PL7H3 on 2001-04-17
  Ghostbusters is a modern classic of a movie - it features an original premise, good special effects, and an A-List cast of great comedians. Seriously, we've got Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis, Ivan Reitman as director, and the beautiful Sigourney Weaver. What more could anyone ask for in a movie? The DVD version is definitely the best way to experience this movie, after all my years of inferior pan-and-scan cassettes taped off the television. Given that the film itself is 15-odd years old, the picture and sound quality aren't up to the heights of the Matrix and Gladiator DVD's, but they are far and above most reissues. Another problem that has plagued reissues of old movies have been the lack of extras. Movie trailers and production notes have become too common to be called extras anymore. Luckily, Columbia Pictures gave Ghostbusters the full treatment. Included is an audio-commentary featuring Reitman and Ramis, ten deleted scenes, concept sketches, behind-the-scenes programs, and so much more. The main menu is even nicely animated.

  There is a lot more praise I could give this film, but what it comes down to simple: if at any one time in your life you liked Ghostbusters, then get this DVD. The movie is hilarious, the DVD is loaded. Too bad I can't say the same for the sequel...
  
  

• I have the guts to say it...
  By A30A5I8FG82M2E on 2003-04-15
  Since no one else will, I'll point out what the problem with this movie is: it has aged poorly. The first half is still pretty funny, but it peters out into a bunch of badly dated special effects.

  The DVD was highly touted when it first came out as being "loaded" with "goodies." Well, I have come to pretty much ignore extras on dvds at this point, but I will point out that compared to the extravaganzas being released these days, this dvd is nothing to write home about.

  This movie will always be noteworthy for becoming such a huge hit, but time has not been kind.
  
  

• SUPER ,SPECTACULAR, EXCELLENT, WONDERFUL, HUGE SUPERMOVIE!!
  By A2Y0BVF0YBI2K3 on 2004-04-07
  This is one of the greatest,funniest and most successful comedy motion pictures in movie history!! The actors,actresses and the special effects are super remarkable!! I,ve been a huge fan of the movie and cartoon when I was just a kid. I really miss the toys and cartoons but the movie brings it back just like a memory. You,ll enjoy this huge,major movie. It,s absoulutly super terrific!!
  
  
• still holds up
  By A2C27IQUH9N1Z on 2004-07-08
  This film phenomenon still holds up two decades later, with still passable special effects and great lines and performances from a very talented cast -- Bill Murray at his acerbic best, Rick Moraniss, Dan Ackroyd, Sigourney Weaver et al. DVD extras are very good and include: a text commentary (which works very well), a video, an original making-of featurette and a 1999 featurette, a sfx featurette, trailer, drawings and storyboard comparisons and 10 deleted scenes. The film can only be heard or subtitled in English.

  Revisit your past -- you won't be disappointed!
  
  

• HORRIBLE LANGUAGE!
  By on 2004-10-03
  The movie is great and I was so excited to see it but they include horrible words not even for kids 10-! My family and I had to count how many we caught! It is PG and it sure did scare me!
  
  
  It's about 4 friends that think they can fight ghosts... but one day they get this call from this lady that thinks she has a ghost in her frezer, she sees a small little world and the lady's eggs are cracking and boiling when they are on the counter not being watched or even toutched!
  
  
  Only one of the ghostbusters come, thinking that is is small only needing one ghostbuster, he checks the lady's freezer and sees that nothing is there, he trys to make the lady think that her freezer is empty-noo ghosts! FINALLY the lady says ok I believe you but she really thinks something is there, but as h e is leaving he admits that he really likes her but the lady thinks he is VERY crazy so she doesn't want himm to like her!
  
  
  Later they see eachother in a store and one of the ghostbusters asks to go on a date with the lady and of course she doesn't really want to but somehow she does.
  
  
  When the date was planned the ghostbuster arrives at her house, but right before he comes the lady looks in her freezer and sees a small little world like last time!
  
  
  She closes her freezer and hears the doorbell, it is the ghostbuster! He comes in but it is not the same lady she is a mean old something anything but nice lady like she was!
  
  That's all I saw..
  
  
• There is something about this movie...
  By ACMAUJEBY6GJF on 2005-08-14
  ...that makes me feel good inside every time I watch it. The acting is especially appealing -and Murray as "doctor" Peter Venkman is my personal all-time-favorite among characters of comedy. He's just so relaxed, and doesn't let anything bother him, and he doesn't take much serious. This is probably one of my favorite Murray-comedies -in the amazingly effective company of Dan Akroyd and the rest of the cast.
  
  Some of the effects are still stunning today, and those that would have been much more "put to reality" with the technology they use today -well, let's just say that it has its' charm actually -this being that "Ghostbusters" once was a breakthrough for special effects, and in comparasism to other movies of its' time it is easy to see that this was a big-budget movie, and one of such qualities that it is also a really fun story.
  
  One of my favorites from the eighties, I bought this with its' sequel and I watch them over and over again. Highly recommended!
  
  
• The Ghostbusters are still well worth a call
  By A3KF4IP2MUS8QQ on 2006-03-15
  Ghostbusters was a huge hit back in 1984, and the ubiquitous presence of Ray Parker, Jr.'s theme song was a seemingly nonstop presence on the radio for months and months - I'm still trying to get that silly song, which seemed awfully cool at the time, out of my head. I was a kid when the film was released, so it's no surprise the film was funnier to me then than it is now, but Ghostbusters has actually aged fairly well. Typified by Bill Murray's deadpan manner, the humor here is all about delivery and timing and atmosphere. It appears as if Bill Murray is making up at least half of his lines as he goes along, which means he is in top form. Dan Aykroyd plays second fiddle in the lineup, but Aykroyd has always played a mean second fiddle. I wouldn't be able to identify Harold Ramis by name just by watching him perform, but he's definitely a full-fledged member of the Ghostbusters comedy tri-fecta (not to mention co-writer with Aykroyd), which actually becomes a foursome midway through the film with the addition of Ernie Hudson. I still can't say I care for Sigourney Weaver all that much, but she certainly adds something to the film as the guys' first customer, the object of Dr. Venkman's (Murray) affections, and eventually the conduit for Zuul's incarnation into the world of man. Supporting actors? Ghostbusters has you covered with Annie Potts as the Ghostbusters receptionist and Rick Moranis as the rather hapless Louis Tully. Up until his possession by a demonic dog, Moranis still seems to exude a little of his Bob McKenzie persona (although he does not imbibe copious amounts of beer or utter the word "hoser" a single time).
  
  As far as I know, Ghostbusters is the only film in which the Environmental Protection Agency comes very close to causing the end of the world. Everything's going great until EPA agent Walter Peck (William Atherton) shows up at Ghostbusters HQ and accuses the guys of storing hazardous waste on the premises - which eventually results in the shutdown of the ghost storage system and, in short order, ghostly anarchy all across New York City. Things had looked gloomy early on when Dr. Venkman (Murray), Stantz (Aykroyd), and Spengler (Ramis) lost their university positions and research grants, but three mortgages later they had landed on their feet with the formation of their unique ghostbusting business. Sure, one could question the legality of atomic-powered backpacks and untested laser-like weapons that could theoretically give time and space the mother of all hiccoughs, but there's no question that they did get the job done. Even if it means getting slimed by some pesky green monsters, the guys soon gain national exposure by effectively putting poltergeists and disagreeable spirits out of business. Then the EPA comes along, releases of all the trapped troublemakers into an atmosphere already saturated with very bad vibes, and the next thing you know ancient Sumerian demons are moving into penthouse apartments and laying plans for hell on earth.
  
  Obviously, the entire story is played for laughs, from the silly sliming hijinx of the ghosts to Murray's indubitably subtle style of non-serious intellectualism. You can't even take Dr. Veckman seriously as a scientist, as he's more concerned with picking up chicks than actually learning anything - until his newest love interest starts hovering four feet above her bed. That's sort of a wake-up call.
  
  Admittedly, all of this craziness was funnier when I was twenty years younger than I am now, but Ghostbusters has actually aged extremely well - even in terms of the special effects. Vintage comedy never goes out of style, and that's why most of us, for decades to come, will be incapable of thinking anything other than "Ghostbusters" whenever we hear the words "Who you gonna call?" and cannot help but laugh whenever anyone happens to utter the phrase, "Yes, it's true."
  
  
• "Yes it's true; this man has no dick."
  By A20EEWWSFMZ1PN on 2006-09-23
  Academic parapsychologists (Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis) find themselves out of work due to budget constraints. They ban together to form a company that to form a badly needed service. They become ghost busters. We follow them from their humble beginnings to their meteoric rise to new heights.
  
  On the way we see what may be a blooming love story staring a possessed Sigourney Weaver (of "Alien" 1979 fame). There is also a token appearance by the Staypuff man. And who is the key master.
  
  Lost of fun classic that was a first of its kind. There have been many stories similar but the combination of characters and actors is unique.
  
  Even today you hear "Who ya gonna call?"
  
  
  

• Ghostbusters 2 (Widescreen Edition)
• Men in Black (Collector's Series)
• Back to the Future - The Complete Trilogy (Widescreen Edition)
• Beetlejuice (20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)
• National Treasure (Widescreen Edition)