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Ghostbusters II

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 6, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Slime-soaked sequel still has spirit and laughs.

updated 09.17.09

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Ghostbusters try their hardest to bring out the best in New Yorkers, defeating negative energy with positive.
  • Role models:

    The good guys here may be a bit rough around the edges -- especially Peter Venkman, who also has a problem with authority -- but they always come through as heroes in the end.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    The Ghostbusters crew attacks the slime and the ghosts with laser guns that shoot light and goo. A baby is kidnapped by a ghost and is threatened with possession by Vigo.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Some kissing and "making out" that is more suggested than graphic.
  • Language:

    Some mild insults.
  • Consumerism:

    The city of New York gets great publicity.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Bill Murray and Sigourney Weaver have wine with dinner. The slime substance has some mood-enhancing effects.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Ghostbusters II

Parents need to know that there isn't much to shock tweens and up in this mock-horror film. There are numerous ghosts running rampant through NYC, but it's played for comedy over scares (like when the Titanic disembarks). Still, ghosts are the "bad guys" and get eliminated with laser guns by a crew of wisecracking guys. At one point a baby is kidnapped by a ghost and a sinister spirit tries to inhabit his body. The baby is rescued, of course, but there is another real person, hilariously portrayed by Peter MacNicol, who wants to steal the baby in order to woo its mother.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the idea of ghosts and what people believe and don't believe about them. Are they real? Are they imagined?
  • You can also discuss the "mood slime" the Ghostbusters discover and if there's a metaphor in there for real life: negative energy begets more negativity, and a positive outlook begets more positive outcomes. When have you found this to be true?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Cool Movie!

    I think this movie rocked the house ! DON'T MAKE THE GOOP MAD! But there is definetly some parts that could scare little ones and some cussing and a woman asks a man... you don't need to know... but otherwise it was awesome!

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 2.0

    ON

    Im wasting my time reviewing this. It wasnt even as good as the first one.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    Funny and nice!

    It was really funny! It may get a little scary for the young ones but it's funny! Though there are some Adult jokes... but mild. And they try to get New York to be happy instead of so grumpy all the time! THAT'S NICE!!!! =)

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