Ghostbusters II Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Five years after the marshmallow incident, the Ghostbusters fight a grumpy painting and some pink goo with the help of the Statue of Liberty, because New York is just *that* miserable.

🍿 Ghostbusters II: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Ghostbusters Disbanded

Five years after saving New York City from Gozer, the Ghostbusters have been plagued by lawsuits and public skepticism. They’ve been forced to shut down their paranormal investigation business and pursue other ventures. Peter Venkman hosts a psychic TV show, Ray Stantz owns an occult bookstore, Egon Spengler conducts experiments on human emotions, and Winston Zeddemore works alongside Ray as a children’s entertainer.

Dana’s New Troubles

Dana Barrett, now a single mother to baby Oscar, works as a restorer at the Manhattan Museum of Art. Strange occurrences begin to plague her and her child, including a possessed baby carriage. Seeking help, Dana reunites with Peter Venkman and alerts him to the strange phenomena surrounding Oscar.

Vigo the Carpathian

The museum houses a painting of Vigo the Carpathian, a powerful 16th-century tyrant. Vigo’s spirit influences Dr. Janosz Poha, Dana’s colleague, tasking him with finding a child to possess so Vigo can return to the physical world on New Year’s Eve. The Ghostbusters investigate, discovering a river of psychomagnotheric slime beneath the city that reacts to human emotions.

Slime and Superstition

The Ghostbusters discover that the slime is fueled by the negativity and bad vibes of New Yorkers. Their investigation leads to them being arrested after illegally excavating a street. During their trial, the slime reacts to the judge’s anger, releasing two ghosts that the Ghostbusters must capture, leading to their reinstatement as paranormal investigators.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Dr. Peter Venkman (Bill Murray): The sarcastic and witty Ghostbuster who’s romantically entangled with Dana and skeptical about the paranormal, yet always ready for a bust.
• Dr. Raymond Stantz (Dan Aykroyd): The enthusiastic and knowledgeable Ghostbuster, deeply invested in paranormal phenomena and the team’s success.
• Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver): Peter Venkman’s love interest and single mother whose baby becomes the target of a malevolent spirit.
• Dr. Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis): The intellectual and scientifically-minded Ghostbuster who provides technical expertise and deadpan observations.
• Louis Tully (Rick Moranis): The nerdy and eccentric accountant-turned-lawyer who becomes an unlikely, enthusiastic Ghostbuster.
• Vigo the Carpathian (Wilhelm von Homburg): The evil, 16th-century tyrant trapped in a painting, seeking to be reborn by possessing Dana’s baby.
• Dr. Janosz Poha (Peter MacNicol): The quirky museum curator who becomes Vigo’s possessed servant, tasked with finding a suitable host for the tyrant’s rebirth.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Dr. Peter Venkman: “Being miserable and treating other people like dirt is every New Yorker’s god-given right.” – Venkman sarcastically explains the city’s negative atmosphere that’s fueling the psychomagnotheric slime.
• Dr. Raymond Stantz: “Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together… mass hysteria!” – Ray repeats his iconic line from the first movie during the trial scene, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.
• Dr. Egon Spengler: “Psychomagnotheric energy. I think we’re on to something here.” – Egon coins the scientific term to describe the power of human emotions affecting the supernatural world.
• Dr. Janosz Poha: “Vigo will take you now!” – Janosz, possessed by Vigo, menacingly announces the villain’s intentions during his attempts to kidnap Oscar.
• Louis Tully: “I’ve always wanted to be a Ghostbuster!” – Louis expresses his enthusiasm as he joins the team in their final battle against Vigo, finally realizing his dream.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $25,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $112,494,738
• Worldwide Gross: $215,394,738

💥 Ghostbusters II Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing Ghostbusters II as a kid and loving it, even though it was different from the first movie. The slime was so cool, and Peter MacNicol’s character, Janosz, was hilarious! I especially enjoyed the scene where they bring the Statue of Liberty to life – that was peak Ghostbusters! It’s not perfect, but it’s a fun ride with characters I adore. Seeing them back together, even if they’re down on their luck, brings back so many nostalgic memories. The courtroom scene is a classic, and the way they fight Vigo in the end is epic. I’ll always have a soft spot for this sequel.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of the original Ghostbusters movie”
  • “People who enjoy 80s comedies”
  • “Those seeking lighthearted supernatural adventures”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild horror elements”
  • “Some suggestive humor”
  • “Supernatural violence”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Ghostbusters II lacks the fresh spark of the original, but the cast chemistry remains a draw. While the plot feels recycled and the humor less sharp, it offers enough familiar fun to satisfy fans.
• RogerEbert.com: “The film feels like a rehash, missing the original’s spontaneity and wit. While the special effects are impressive, the story lacks depth, relying too heavily on familiar tropes. It’s a serviceable sequel, but ultimately disappointing.
• Empire: “Ghostbusters II delivers a solid dose of paranormal comedy, even if it doesn’t quite reach the heights of its predecessor. The performances are strong, and the new villain is suitably menacing, making it a worthwhile addition to the franchise.

Audience Reactions

The Statue of Liberty scene was epic and heartwarming.: Viewers loved the return of the original cast and their chemistry.

Peter MacNicol’s performance as Janosz was hilarious and memorable.: Fans appreciated the humor, though some felt it didn’t quite match the original.

Overall Consensus: Ghostbusters II is a fun but flawed sequel that delivers familiar thrills and laughs, though it doesn’t quite capture the magic of the original.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Ivan Reitman initially hesitated to make a sequel, fearing it would diminish the original’s legacy. He eventually agreed after the cast and crew expressed strong interest.”
• “The film features a river of psychomagnotheric slime that reacts to human emotions. This concept was used to explore the themes of negativity and positivity in New York City.”
• “The special effects team faced the challenge of bringing the Statue of Liberty to life. They used a combination of practical effects, miniature models, and stop-motion animation to achieve the desired result.”
• “During filming in New York City, crowds gathered to watch the production. The cast and crew often interacted with fans, creating a positive atmosphere on set.”

🖥️ How to Watch Ghostbusters II?

Ghostbusters II is widely available to rent or purchase on various digital platforms. You can find it on services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service or digital retailer for the most up-to-date availability and pricing. Physical copies (Blu-ray, DVD) are also available for purchase through online retailers like Amazon and at most major stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Ghostbusters II, you might like these similar films:

• Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990): A comedic sequel that embraces absurdity and self-aware humor, similar to Ghostbusters II’s approach.
• Men in Black (1997): Features a secret organization that deals with supernatural threats and utilizes advanced technology to protect the world.
• Howard the Duck (1986): A cult classic from the same era that blends sci-fi, comedy, and supernatural elements in a quirky way.
• Pixels (2015): Nostalgic 80s themed sci-fi comedy about a group of people fighting against classic video game characters that have come to life

🛒 Ghostbusters II Related Products

• Ghostbusters Plasma Series Ecto-1 Vehicle: A highly detailed collectible recreation of the Ecto-1 vehicle from Ghostbusters II, featuring movie-accurate details and premium deco. A must-have for any serious Ghostbusters collector.
• Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered: Play as a new recruit on the Ghostbusters team in this remastered version of the classic video game. Featuring the voices and likenesses of the original cast, it’s like being in a new Ghostbusters movie!
• Ghostbusters II Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original Ghostbusters II theatrical poster. Perfect for framing and displaying your love for the movie.
• Ghostbusters II Slimer Plush: A cute and cuddly plush version of Slimer. Great for kids and adults alike!

🎧 Soundtrack

Ghostbusters II features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “On Our Own” – performed by Bobby Brown
• “Flesh ‘n Blood” – performed by Oingo Boingo
• “Ghostbusters” – performed by Run-D.M.C.
• “Higher and Higher” – performed by Howard Huntsberry

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

VIGO the CARPATHIAN (GHOSTBUSTERS II Explored)

Curious about the role and significance of Vigo in Ghostbusters II? This video explores him in detail, offering insights that could enhance our understanding of the movie.

Did you know for GHOSTBUSTERS II…

Did you know there’s a cool trivia about Ghostbusters II? This short video reveals it, so check it out for a quick burst of insider knowledge.

TEN SOMEWHAT ADEQUATE SEQUELS : #7 Ghostbusters II

Want to hear a fresh perspective on Ghostbusters II? This video includes it in a list of decent sequels, offering an interesting take on its place within cinema history.

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