Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that the language pushes the limits of the PG rating. The sexual content is relatively mild; however, one character fantasizes briefly about a ghost giving him oral pleasure. This movie deals with the supernatural. Some scenes may be too scary for young children. This is a film with great entertainment value for both parents and children. For the most part, parents should feel comfortable with its relatively tame content.
Families can talk about what defines a hero. What other movies feature scientists and professors who save the day? Families can also discuss ghosts and the supernatural. Do you believe in ghosts? Why or why not?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Alex Orner
The hilarious team of Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd and Harold Ramis fight ghosts and ghouls in their profession of paranormal sanitation workers. With fully charged proton packs strapped to their backs, they venture around New York City exterminating pesky apparitions. Peter Venkman (Bill Murray) falls for Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver), a reserved beauty that unwillingly becomes the gatekeeper for an apocalyptic spiritual dimension. The team, along with newcomer Ernie Hudson (Ramis), face-off against demonic forces with cataclysmic magnitude. One notable scene involves the eradication of a 50-foot Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.
Director Ivan Reitman's Ghostbusters is a family film that succeeds in cleverly combining comedy, action, and some age-appropriate scary stuff. Although, the film has some frightening moments, Murray, Aykroyd, and Ramis provide enough comic relief to lighten the fears. Considering its 1984 release date, the film's special effects are superlative. Parents will enjoy watching this movie with their children. However, during scary scenes (particularly one involving a hardnosed librarian), they might have to cover their youngest children's (under 6) eyes.
Families who like Ghostbusters might also enjoy Ghostbusters II and other films starring Bill Murray, such as Caddyshack (if the kids are a bit older), What About Bob, and Groundhog Day.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentSome characters make sexual advances, especially while possessed; a fantasy scene implies a character receives oral pleasure from a ghost. |
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ViolencePlenty of blasting from special ghost-busting lasers. A hotel ballroom is destroyed. Ghosts take over NYC, some scary-looking, some not. Two characters are possessed. |
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LanguageSome profanity. |
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Social Behavior |
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CommercialismOne small product placement for Coke. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoSmoking. |
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