Ghostbusters (1984) (30th Anniversary Edition) (Blu-ray Review)
Directed By: Ivan Reitman
Starring: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver
Rated: PG/Region A/2:39/1080p (of a 4K Scan)/Number of Discs 1
Available from Sony Pictures
Three university parapsychologists lose a research grant when their experiment methodology is proven to be bogus. The team decides to go into business for themselves as “Ghostbusters”, a ghost removal service. After struggling to get on their feet, they are summoned to investigate the strange happenings in a woman’s Central Park West apartment. What they discover is that all Manhattan is being besieged by ghosts and other worldly demons through a portal in her building.
As you all know, I’m a major sucker for nostalgia. I loved the 80’s and I dug a lot of the toys from the 80’s, as I’m sure the Retro Rama section of this site proves. One of my biggest loves from that time period was, Ghostbusters. In 1984, I wasn’t even a year old at the time of the original Ghostbusters’ film release. But as time has shown, everyone at every age loved Ghostbusters! And there a lot to love about this movie. Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, a giant marshmallow man, it’s all classic and GREAT stuff. And by the way, did anyone notice that back in 1984, Sigourney Weaver looked like she KINDA favored Katy Perry a bit? Or was that just me? One good thing about this movie, well it was a great thing about most movies from this time, was it didn’t waste time. While most current films would spend waaay too much time with a back-story, this one pretty much gets cooking quick and it doesn’t hurt a thing, it helps. Not that the plot was rocket science or anything, but since there was no need for a long explanation to what is going on and who everyone is, things never have time to drag in this film. So we get through stuff quick and get right to the point, which is of course busting ghost. Because you just know that “bustin’” makes you feel good! Actually, this is the type of movie to just generally make you feel good.
And while the story isn’t THAT complex (it’s more along the lines of just fun), it’s not by any means lazy. We have more than one thing going on here, we have a romance plot with Peter (Bill Murray) and his lady friend, Dana (Sigourney Weaver). We got the city butting into what the guys are trying to do, and it all comes together to form one giant problem and the Ghostbustes are the only hope, as far as saving everyone goes. As you can expect nothing ever get too serious, but it does stay fun and that’s really the point. What you get here is a movie that is soo well put together and written that it can appeal to both younger and older people. That’s why this thing would go on to get spun off into cartoons, toys, and everything else you could imagine. From a perfect cast, to a perfect theme song for the film, what you get here is one of the all-time best comedy films you can find from the 80’s or any era fo that matter. This is hands down one of the best films of the genre. It also is one of those types of movies that just make you feel all tingly and happy as it wraps up. Those are the types of films that you sadly don’t get these days. Heck, we haven’t had movies like that since that decade! But if you want great acting, a fun plot, and a prime example of just how awesome time period was, then Ghostbusters is the perfect movie for you to watch. As far as looks go, this version brings over that awesome 4K scan that blew the original Blu-ray out of the water and stomped all over it. It still looks amazing here as colors and details are popping and will make any big fan have a big smile.
- NEW! Who You Gonna Call: A Ghostbusters Retrospective – Roundtable Discussion with Director Ivan Reitman and Dan Aykroyd (Part 1)
- NEW! Poster Art Gallery – Gallery 1988 artwork
- NEW! “Ghostbusters” Music Video – Ray Parker, Jr.
- Slimer Mode – Picture in Picture and Trivia Track
- Commentary w/ Ivan Reitman, Harold Ramis & Joe Medjuck
- 10 Deleted Scenes
- 1984 Featurette
- Cast and Crew Featurette
- SFX Team Featurette
- Multi-Angles
- Ecto-1: Resurrecting the Classic Car
- Ghostbusters Garage: Ecto-1 Gallery Storyboard Comparisons
