 | 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 II
- Review Date: January 9, 2007
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 1989
Common Sense Media says
Slime-soaked sequel still has spirit and laughs.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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.
What's the story?
The once-famous Ghostbusters are long-forgotten and bankrupt when the film begins. When some mysterious slime surfaces they gladly trade their gigs singing at children's birthday parties for their real ghostbusting duties. Dr. Peter Venkman's (Bill Murray) ex-girlfriend Dana (Sigourney Weaver), now a single mom, is forced to confront the paranormal after a strange slime incident involving her 9-month old baby, Oscar. Coincidentally, Dana works for the Met as a restoration artist, where she encounters a mysterious portrait of a long-dead madman. His evil spirit inhabits the artwork, waiting for his chance to come alive again. When he takes an interest in baby Oscar, you know who Dana's gonna call.
Is it any good?
GHOSTBUSTERS II was partially written by two of its actors: Dan Akroyd (who played Dr. Raymond Stantz) and Harold Ramis (Dr. Egon Spengler). It's hard not to laugh at anything Bill Murray says or does. He has a sly, wry, comic genius that makes even the simplest plot (which is what gives this sci-fi adventure its charm) a little more complex. Murray's in his prime here as one of four fearless slime fighters in a sequel that is just about as funny and entertaining as the original.
This hodgepodge of occult, paranormal, and plain bizarre elements means all kinds of zaniness is free to ensue -- especially when you serenade Lady Liberty with a little Motown. It's a nice little send-up to the world of psychics and other New Age types, as well, who take themselves far too seriously. It can even put some of those paranormal shows like Ghost Hunters and Lisa Williams: Life Among the Dead in perspective for kids who can get caught up in the hype. However outdated the special effects might seem in today's light, the movie works as a not-so-scary comedic action film.
What 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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- Teens & kids
Kid, 12 years old
July 19, 2009
AGE
ON
Im wasting my time reviewing this. It wasnt even as good as the first one.
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Kid, 10 years old
September 5, 2011
AGE
horor
terrible movie
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Kid, 11 years old
August 8, 2009
AGE
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!
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AGE
AWESOME!!!
This movie is almost as amazing as the first one!!! It's a lot more kid appropriate than the first movie. If you liked the first movie, you'll love this one!!! :-D
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Kid, 11 years old
April 4, 2011
AGE
Small children beware!
They're baaaaaaaaaaack! The busters, in this installment, have been forgotten. Winston and Peter are birthday party entertainment and Egon and Ray run an occult shop. But when a god's spirit threatens Dana's baby boy Oscar and a mood darkening slime rises from the bowels of NYC, who ya gonna call?
There's a little bit of creepiness. Little kids might be stunned by the transformation of the Statue Of Liberty. Some characters make out and kiss. They occasionally swear even the mild Egon. And Peter and Dana have wine at dinner.
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AGE
i recommend 9+
Just FYI - there is a reference to "going and getting a beer" at the beginning of the movie that is not included in the common sense review.
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AGE
Not one to pass on, but it's certainly not as good, crude or funny as the original GHOSTBUSTERS.
My rating: PG for comic supernatural violence and some brief mild language.
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AGE
Swearing is inappropriate.
lots of a**hole, dam, he** - very disappointed in the amount of swearing.
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AGE
Not as good as the first one
I didn't like it as much as the first one. Too much sexy stuff.
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AGE
Concerned about language and adult situations
I rented this movie based on the rating, especially for language. My kids really liked it. The only problem is that the rating stated "some mild insults" but I think the word a...hole is not mild. Wish I knew before.
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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: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 110 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | June 16, 1989 |
| DVD release date: | June 29, 1999 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | mild action |
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