 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Ghostbusters
- Review Date: October 30, 2005
- PG
- Genre: Comedy
- 1984
Common Sense Media says
Paranormal fun with some scares, innuendo.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this iconic '80s movie is pretty tame for it to be about catching scary ghosts (only a few are skeletal and scary) and the possible end of the world. The scariest part is probably the large dogs with glowing eyes that attack and possess two characters. Viewers will find some language that's strong for a PG ("s--t" a few times, for starters) and sexually charged scenes, one where a character fantasizes briefly about a ghost giving him oral pleasure, and another where a possessed woman writhes around and says "I want you inside me" to Peter, who laughs it off. Two Ghostbusters do a lot of smoking, often dangling a cigarette out of their mouths while trying to catch ghosts.
What's the story?
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.
Is it any good?
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 younger kids' eyes.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what defines a hero. What other movies feature scientists and professors who save the day?
Families can also talk about the scares mix with humor. For kids normally scared of things like ghosts, how did the humor help? How did seeing a creature like the 50-foot Stay Puft marshmallow man make you laugh, even while the Ghostbusters were in danger?
Families can also discuss ghosts and the supernatural. Do you believe in ghosts, and why or why not?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
I'd say 12 and up.
Love this movie but I don't think the implied oral sex scene is for kids of this age.
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AGE
The implied oral sex from a spirit was way too graphic for my kids. This is the first time I have found a common sense rating to be off the mark.
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AGE
i watched this when i was 7 and i wasnt scared. i think its a good movie and kinda funny
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AGE
Ghostbusters-Movie Review
I thought the 1984 movie "Ghostbusters" was the grestest movie of the 1980's. I thought that the movie did have a little too much profanity. Now, if this movie came out in this decade it would be PG-13. But the MPAA did not have good control of there films until 2000. Also,the MPAA did not have the PG-13 rating until after the film Gremlins came out. P.S: There is some scray scenes the film that might scare kids under the age of 11, so what ever you do do not let them see this movie.
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AGE
Who are you gonna call?
I like the movie. It is cool. At first, I was a little surprised it was rated PG because of all the romance, violence, language, and smoking. But then I saw, how it could be rated PG. I like the action, and the ghosts weren't too scary. I really enjoyed it.
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AGE
Hilarious movie, my favourite line being "Shhh! Can you smell that?" Great movie, pehaps the sex could have been cut. Oral ghost sex?! No thanks.
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AGE
Parents might be a little uncomfortable - but the kids loved it!
I definitely noticed the sexually suggestive scenes when watching with my 7 and 10 year-olds - but it went right over their heads. There were a few bad words (sh*t, b*tch) but again, I don't think it was a big deal. Too much smoking...but I don't think seeing these guys smoke is going to make my kids want to. They LOVED it and thought it was super funny - they keep talking about the slime and the marshmallow man!
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AGE
ggood but edgy
this is a very funny ovie but its iffy for young kids for strong language and a dream sequence thts semi graphic.
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AGE
Ouch! Way too iffy on the sexual content!
My major issue is the sex scenes in this movie! One ghost is portrayed as having oral sex and there is another sex scene that is really way over the top! Not for kids with any awareness!
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy, monsters, ghosts, and vampires |
| Studio: | Sony Pictures |
| Director: | Ivan Reitman |
| Cast: | Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 107 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | June 8, 1984 |
| DVD release date: | June 10, 2002 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
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