Ghostbusters Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Three unemployed scientists strap vacuum cleaners to their backs and save New York from a giant marshmallow man, all while dodging a grumpy EPA guy.

🍿 Ghostbusters: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Paranormal Investigators

Drs. Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, and Egon Spengler, parapsychologists at Columbia University, investigate paranormal phenomena. After a disturbing encounter at the New York Public Library, they are fired from their university positions. Recognizing a growing need, they decide to go into business for themselves.

Setting Up Shop

Using a mortgage on Ray’s childhood home for funding, they establish ‘Ghostbusters,’ a paranormal investigation and elimination service. They acquire a dilapidated firehouse as their headquarters and hire Janine Melnitz as their secretary. They develop unique equipment, including proton packs and ghost traps, to capture and contain supernatural entities.

The Rise of Gozer

Dana Barrett, a musician, experiences strange occurrences in her apartment, including a demonic voice uttering ‘Zuul’ from her refrigerator. Her neighbor, Louis Tully, also encounters paranormal activity. The Ghostbusters investigate and discover that Dana’s building, 55 Central Park West, is a focal point for supernatural energies linked to Gozer, an ancient Sumerian god of destruction. Dana and Louis become possessed, acting as the Gatekeeper and Keymaster, respectively, to bring about Gozer’s arrival.

Containment Failure

Walter Peck, an EPA representative, deems the Ghostbusters a public nuisance and orders their ghost storage facility shut down, disabling their containment grid. This releases countless ghosts into New York City, escalating the paranormal chaos. The Ghostbusters are arrested, but the Mayor recognizes the severity of the situation and releases them to save the city.

Confronting Gozer

The Ghostbusters confront Gozer on the roof of Dana’s apartment building. Gozer demands they choose the form of the Destructor. Ray inadvertently thinks of the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man, which manifests as a giant monster and begins attacking the city. To defeat Gozer and close the portal, the Ghostbusters cross their proton streams, risking their own lives in the process.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Dr. Peter Venkman (Bill Murray): A witty and sarcastic parapsychologist who is more interested in flirting than research, but becomes a key member of the Ghostbusters.
• Dr. Raymond Stantz (Dan Aykroyd): An enthusiastic and devoted paranormal researcher who believes deeply in the supernatural and co-founds the Ghostbusters.
• Dr. Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis): The intelligent and socially awkward scientist who is the brains behind the Ghostbusters’ equipment and strategies.
• Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver): A cellist who becomes the Gatekeeper of Gozer, possessed by the demon Zuul.
• Louis Tully (Rick Moranis): Dana’s nerdy neighbor and accountant, who becomes the Keymaster of Gozer, possessed by the demon Vinz Clortho.
• Walter Peck (William Atherton): A pompous EPA official who is determined to shut down the Ghostbusters, creating more problems.
• Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson): The everyman of the group who joins the Ghostbusters as a fourth member, bringing a grounded perspective to their paranormal investigations.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Peter Venkman: “We came, we saw, we kicked its ass!” – Venkman’s boastful pronouncement after the successful capture of Slimer in the hotel.
• Egon Spengler: “Don’t cross the streams.” – Egon warns about the potentially catastrophic consequences of crossing the proton pack streams.
• Gozer: “Are you a god?” – Gozer’s confrontational question just before attacking the Ghostbusters.
• Ray Stantz: “I tried to think of the most harmless thing. Something I loved from my childhood. Something that could never ever possibly destroy us. Mr. Stay Puft.” – Ray explains why he inadvertently summoned the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man.
• Dana Barrett: “There is no Dana, only Zuul.” – Dana, possessed by Zuul, denies her own identity to Venkman.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $30,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $243,640,120
• Worldwide Gross: $296,640,120

💥 Ghostbusters Reviews

Personal Review

Ghostbusters is one of those movies I can watch over and over. The first time I saw it, I was hooked by the witty banter and crazy ghost-busting action. Bill Murray’s performance is legendary – he’s so effortlessly funny! The scene where the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man appears is pure cinematic gold. It brings back so many great memories and still makes me laugh out loud.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 80s comedies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy supernatural comedies”
  • “Those looking for a fun, nostalgic movie experience”
  • “People who appreciate witty dialogue and memorable characters”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Some scary imagery/creatures (suitable for older children/teens)”
  • “Suggestive humor”

Professional Reviews

• Entertainment Weekly: “Ghostbusters brilliantly mixes comedy and the supernatural. The cast has impeccable comedic timing, creating memorable and quotable moments that stand the test of time. The special effects, while dated, add to the film’s charm and overall fun.
• The New York Times: “A wildly inventive, high-energy comedy with a clever premise and witty dialogue. Bill Murray delivers a career-defining performance, supported by a talented cast and groundbreaking special effects that capture the playful spirit of the film.
• Variety: “A classic of the 1980s, Ghostbusters offers a perfect blend of humor, thrills, and memorable characters. The story is inventive, the pacing is excellent, and the special effects are impressive for their time, making it a must-watch for fans of comedy and sci-fi.

Audience Reactions

The hilarious improvisational comedy from Bill Murray makes this a consistently funny movie.: Fans love the blend of humor and supernatural elements, making it a unique and entertaining experience.

The special effects, especially the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man, remain iconic and memorable.: Audiences appreciate the creativity and originality of the story and characters.

Overall Consensus: Ghostbusters is a beloved classic praised for its humor, originality, and memorable characters, making it a timeless favorite for audiences of all ages.

Awards

1. BAFTA Film Award (Best Special Visual Effects)- 1985

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “John Belushi was originally considered for the role of Peter Venkman. After his death, the character was re-written for Bill Murray.”
• “The original script was much darker and more of a straight horror film. Bill Murray’s comedic improvisations heavily influenced the final tone of the movie.”
• “The Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man was conceived as a last-minute addition, with the design finalized just before the scene was shot. The visual effects team struggled to bring this icon to life.”

🖥️ How to Watch Ghostbusters?

Ghostbusters is widely available for streaming and purchase. You can find it on platforms like Amazon Prime Video (for rent or purchase), Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for television airings. As of this writing, it is not included with any subscription-based streaming services, requiring individual purchase or rental.

🎥 Similar Movies

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

• Gremlins (1984): Shares the same mid-80s blend of comedy, special effects, and suburban chaos, with creatures running amok.
• Beetlejuice (1988): Another supernatural comedy with quirky characters and inventive visuals, blending humor with the macabre.
• Men in Black (1997): A modern take on fighting supernatural entities with humor and advanced technology, mirroring the monster-fighting setup.
• This is Spinal Tap (1984): Also from 1984, satirizes the tropes of another genre (rockumentary) with sharp wit and memorable characters, in a similar comedic vein as Ghostbusters.

🛒 Ghostbusters Related Products

• Ghostbusters: Afterlife [4K UHD]: Continue the Ghostbusters saga with this thrilling sequel, featuring new characters and ghosts in stunning 4K UHD. This offers hours of entertainment and expands on the original Ghostbusters universe.
• Ghostbusters Plasma Series Spengler’s Proton Pack: A high-quality replica of Egon Spengler’s Proton Pack from the movie. This is a must-have for serious Ghostbusters collectors. With light and sound effects, it will immerse you in ghost-busting action.
• Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered – PlayStation 4: Relive the classic video game with enhanced graphics and gameplay. This is a fun, interactive way to experience the Ghostbusters world and bust some ghosts yourself. Featuring the original cast, it’s the 3rd movie we never got!
• Ghostbusters Movie Poster (1984) – Classic Design: A high-quality reprint of the original Ghostbusters movie poster. The timeless design captures the spirit of the film and makes a great addition to any fan’s collection.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Ghostbusters” – performed by Ray Parker Jr.
• “Magic” – performed by Mick Smiley
• “Cleaning Up the Town” – performed by The BusBoys

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

LEGO GHOSTBUSTERS

Have you ever wondered what ‘Ghostbusters’ but made out of Legos would look like? If so, this is the perfect video for you! This creative stop-motion animation brings the iconic movie to life in a whole new way. What I love about this video is how you can see how much attention and detail was put into its production. The creators truly captured the spirit of the movie, and I think even the most die-hard ‘Ghostbusters’ fan would enjoy it.

The LEGO Ghostbusters Movie by MonsieurCaron

Calling all Lego enthusiasts and Ghostbusters fans! This video combines the best of both worlds and the result is fantastic! Join Monsieur Caron on a brick-tastic journey as he recreates iconic scenes and characters from the beloved movie using Lego pieces. Get ready for a nostalgic trip down memory lane filled with humor, creativity, and a whole lot of Lego fun!

Ghostbusters AMAZING – PRACTICAL FX 2023 #stopmotion #animation #ghostbusters #terrordog #afterlife

Have you always wondered how they make those incredible stop motion scenes in movies like ‘Ghostbusters’? Now’s your chance to find out! This video takes you behind the scenes of a fan film that combines stop motion animation with live action, and the results are nothing short of spectacular. Prepare to be amazed by the creativity and skill that goes into bringing these iconic characters to life.

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