Ghostbusters II

(Ivan Reitman, USA, 1989)

This pale sequel begins in a disarmingly honest manner.

The Ghostbusters are presented as hackneyed old has-beens playing kids' parties, desperately in need of a rehabilitated media image – like, of course, the Ghostbusters franchise itself.

Enter the high-concept that will hopefully make both them and the film into a smash hit. To wit: the collective bad vibes of the citizens of New York are creating slimy, nasty ghosties; only the Busters realise that love and community spirit can vanquish the enemy.

It is a pity that neither the cast (including Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd) nor director Ivan Reitman seem to believe this feel-good premise for an instant.

Comedy has rarely been this depressing.

MORE Reitman: Dave, Father's Day, Six Days, Seven Nights

© Adrian Martin July 1992