Siskel and Ebert Review Ghostbusters 2 (1989)

[unbridledenthusiasm]

this movie scared the shit out of me when i was 5 or 6

[SandersRobin24]

I was scared to death of Vigor The Carpathian. Say what you want about this movie but he was a scary MoFo.

[Bisbeatle]

Can’t stand these stuck-up snooty asses. They’re the reason I don’t trust reviewers… nor do I look to them to decide whether I’m going to see a movie or not.

[Ghosthead83]

@Bisbeatle Yeah I agree. So many people criticize the film for being a more toned down version of the original, in order to be order to aim it more for younger audiences. I don't see that at all, except for maybe Slimers cameo. When I was a kid, I was scared of some parts in the second one, but not all from the first.

[Bisbeatle]

@Ghosthead83 Toned down for younger people? I've never heard that. That doesn't make any sense at all! The second movie is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy darker than the first. Just like Batman and Batman Returns. But at the same time, I don't feel like it's not funny. Not as good as the first... but still great! GB1: Better and more abundant laughs. GB2: Scarier and more entertaining visuals.

[cochranexyz]

Not a bad sequel, compared to the scads of others that are created. That's not a backhanded compliment: it's good.

[steveclips]

The only thing I don't like in the film is how the Mayor went out of character and that nobody belives in ghosts after the events in the first movie. It dosen't make any sense! I hope that 3 will be better.

[SunbeltRyders]

I kinda have to agree with them, it was a decent movie but with the talent involved they could've done far better.. when I happen to see it on tv these days it doesn't hold my attention like the first one does

[BrianBookerFilms]

I can't believe this movie got a bad review. This is my favorite movie! I like this one better than the first!

[KaijuKingGojira]

i wouldn't say its as bad as they say it was just okay

[Clay3613]

Ghostbusters 2 is a mixed-bag, definitely better executed than most comedy sequels or any sequel in general. On one hand, the tone is definitely darker...dealing with human behavior, joblessness and demonic rebirth. Yet the mere fact that they have a cutesy baby and Rick Moranis being quirky is a sign of trying to appeal to the younger crowd.

[027220]

0:41 :47 If I were these guys I've gone on Channel 5 and exposed that to the city. 1:09 - :15 Gene, you gotta remain focused on the Ghostbusters catching their enemies, but it doesn't hurt your other reviews, like Die Hard or RoboCop. 2:06 - :20 'Hmm.'

[MiseryCounty]

They are completely idiotic. I'm so happy they weren't taken seriously by a lot of people. And obviously GB fans disagree. They liked Under siege 2 for christ's sake. Also what did they expect? The special effects were "all too familiar?" Wtf? It's Ghostbusters. Obviously they are going to be fighting ghosts and shooting nasties. The fact that this is a genuine story and different makes me happy that the Ghostbusters have probably busted that idiot Siskel's ghost a long time ago.

[OcpCommunications]

I will never take any of these dolts seriously, ever since Roger Ebert gave Speed 2: Cruise Control two thumbs up. I mean Speed "Fucking" 2? I saw the effort on the screen and then some. GBII may not be as great as the first but it's still a damn good sequel, and an entertaining one at that.

[BammerD]

I love how these guys always had nothing good to say about movies that were actually good and praised movies that were complete garbage that even I could have written the script for on a napkin that I found crumpled up on a strip club floor. I give Siskel and Ebert two middle fingers up.

[sammycut1]

I loved it as a kid but as an adult, I find it merely good. Still wishing for a 3!

[DRisLegend200919]

its really funny but not as good as the first

[loyalROCKfan]

fucking hate these fags.

[IDante1Savage]

Always found this film to be poor

[Xerock]

This movie suffered too many shortcomings. The music wasn't as good. The character development was rehashed from the first film. The plot was weakened by the whole good feelings versus bad feelings nonsense. And the Janos character, aside from having the hots for Sigourney Weaver, made no sense.

[Xerock]

This movie suffered too many shortcomings. The music wasn't as good. The character development was rehashed from the first film. The plot was weakened by the whole good feelings versus bad feelings nonsense. And the Janos character, aside from having the hots for Sigourney Weaver, made no sense. 

[s9re8g65sdg4]

In my opinion, Ghostbusters 2 was good, but not great overall. Some great moments in it. Maybe you just have to be a fan of the series though. I don't always agree with Siskel and Ebert and this is one case. GB3 will have to be good, and I think all involved know that. My hopes are up for that one. The idea of Venkman being a ghost doesn't even bother me that much, I respect Bill Murray and his choices.

[HSAdestroy]

GB2 was absolutely terrible. I've watches the first one 4 times. The second ONLY once.

[loyalROCKfan]

Fuck these two old fat bastards.there old men most of us was kids back in 1989 the ghostbusters was our heros.if i am to ever see these fags i'm gonna kick them in the balls "YOU SUCK"

[Chaoitcme]

Ghostbusters 2 was not as good as the first. It still is a fun and entertaining film though.

[Juicyjitup]

this just shows that siskel and ebert's reviews were no more than an opinion of their era of overpayed, stuck up, rich societies view upon movies. because in today's world anyone can see that ghostbusters 2 is a classic with great humor and siskel and ebert's reviews are for those who are pretentious enough to not value humor as a part of a comedic movie asset.

[zalbagsoul]

Gene and Roger are both retards. Even though one is in the grave and probably going to be in the next ghostbusters being a ghost.

[Romulan007]

I remember seeing this when it came out in the theaters. I totally agree with Roger and Gene, this was horrible. So bad that my friend and I popped a stink bomb in the back of the theater at the end!

[gothatway09]

One of the problems Ghostbusters 2 had was that by 1989 "Ghostbusters" had become such a huge franchise and brand name with the cartoon and toys, especially a FAMILY brand name that it could no longer have the same risque adult tone the original had in 1984. The movie was dumbed down for a family audience.

[AccountSpawnedinHell]

THEY ARE RIGHT......GHOSTBUSTERS II WAS TOTAL CRAP, ONE OF THE WORST SEQUELS EVER MADE...........I'M NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO PART III.

[dbreiden83080]

Ghostbustes 2 was a great sequel. The first is an all time classic but 2 was very very good..

[AccountSpawnedinHell]

@dbreiden83080  GHOSTBUSTERS II WAS GARBAGE, A TOTAL DISSAPOINTMENT!

[HungryDingo]

I love this movie, always have since I was a kid but I have to agree it's basically a carbon copy of the 1st with some different names. Peter tries to romance Dana, they get arrested, they have to build their reputation with 1 high profile job and then the montage of other jobs probably at about the same time you saw it in the first. They don't start out with Winston but he joins the rest later on in the movie.

[Ghosthead83]

@HungryDingo I can't really find anything major to criticize about the sequel. Winston was actually the first, along with Ray to be shown onscreen first. Of course he magically disappears until about halfway through the movie, but he still had a bigger part. I always wanted him to be in the courtroom showndown.

[nmcvicker03]

@Ghosthead83 i was always upset that he wasn't on the poster (winston).

[Ghosthead83]

@nmcvicker03 Winston was on the poster with the group shot along with the GB 2 logo. Ramis and Murray had pronton packs strapped on and Aykroyd and Hudson Slime Blowers.

[nmcvicker03]

@Ghosthead83 ok. i only remember the one with the three of them standing there without winston. I loved this movie though. Not as good as teh first but definitely fun and a classic in my mind.

[PlanitReality]

@Ghosthead83 You can't "find anything major to criticize about the sequel"? Really? Nearly everyone involved in the movie itself has admitted that there were major script issues. Most of the jokes are flat, the style is closer to the cartoon than the original movie (including some character relationships), and they really gave very little to the supporting players (The first movie of course focused on Murray, but there are memorable moments for everyone. This one...not so much.)

[Elfrunner]

@Ghosthead83

Since the Ghostbusters were out of business, it's safe to assume Winston was just at his day job throughout the first act of the movie. That and I think the movie was trying to recreate the ghost capturing scene with just the three founding Ghostbusters as it was in the first film. Strange, though, since Winston was at the friggin' court house during their trial. I suppose he left to go get a hot dog or something. :P

[RASOOL28]

The problem with part 2 is that they didn't try to do anything different. Look at the Lethal Weapon sequels, yes they stick to their premise and over outline but they at least try to incorporate something different in the storylines as GB 2 pretty copies the first movie beat for beat the only difference is there's alot less energy and the adult comedy has been lessened in light of more kiddy type humor. Those who say this movie is scarier much be smoking something if they think evil slme is

[RASOOL28]

scarier than Gozer from the first film. The villains in part 2 are lame. The first movie had two villains, the Environmental guy and Gozer, here we have the Museam guy and Viggo, LAME! The score in the original film was better while the score to part 2 is just mudane and hoohum. I'm not saying i hate part 2 it's uninspired and not as funny or scary as the first. The baby and the painting are it's main problems. Also, making it more kid friendly was a mistake as well.

[Ghosthead83]

I didn't think it was noticeably dumbed down for a younger audience. The only noticeable changes are Slimer's cameo and their new commercials and doing kids birthday parties. But they were basically lampooning themselves and the first movie. Murray did say that the concept was changed drastically and that's why he was never happy with the end result. I wish Sony would make a Special Edition so we can see of the stuff they deleted! I’ll still always love and defend the second one forever!

[VitoATF]

DO these guys like ANY movies???

[CertifiedGooner729]

@VitoATF DO you watch ANY of their clips???

[Coldshadow25]

I don't understand why this movie got such a harsh review i found it to be just as entertaining as this the original and even some parts to be better, though i do hold the first one higher, but still it had an interesting plot i don't see how it was claimed as a carbon copy sure with Dana being the target again i could see a little something from that but overall it was a demon in a painting how is that similar to a god in a fridge? Terribly underrated film thumbs up to GB2 thumbs down to review

[The3ninjakids]

No doubt about it, this was the best GB film!

[VitoATF]

@The3ninjakids I also like pt.2 more

[DAZing23]

I'm not the biggest fan of the Ghost Busters franchise, but at least the original was had some meat to it, and for what it was worth I had some fun. The 2nd one, though, is, as they say, a major disappointment. The story wasn't interesting, the ideas felt weak & half-assed (they save New York from Stay-Puffed & then everyone doesn't believe them?! Not buying that.), the chemistry between the actors wasn't as fun, it lacked the epic feel of the 1st film, but most importantly, it wasn't funny.

[kc86er]

@DAZing23 "They save New York from Stay-Puffed & then everyone doesn't believe them?! Not buying that."

The people of New York in the movie were affected by the "evil" mood slime, thus turning against the Ghostbusters and treating them as frauds. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it's a fantasy comedy...so who cares.

[KISSarmyGuy]

I disagree with everything they say here. Ghostbusters 2 is pretty damn good. 

[UltimateThanos]

A couple of fucking Dinosaurs.

[DARKDURELL2]

what the fuck you guy was watching

[LargeLeader]

Fuck the haters.

[hafabee]

What a bull shit review, Ghostbusters 2 was highly inventive and hilarious.

[100domathon]

The 1st Ghostbusters was way better than the 2nd.

[aweekendspecial]

I'm watching Ghostbusters II right now on Netflix and it Still makes me laugh. I too was a child when this came out... As an adult, it is fun to pick up one liners in the movie like I never noticed before.... like, when asked if Louis lived alone.... His reply was.... "I used to have a roommate, but my mom moved to Florida"

[krisfrosz133]

I watched Ghostbusters I and II at a very young age and immediately loved those movies. As a kid, I didn't really paid attention to the storyline and never really got the humor. I was more into the proton blasting, ghost trapping and ghost busting. In fact, I kinda liked GB2 a lot more at the time because it had a lot more ghost trapping scenes and GB1 was a bit too scary for me.

Looking back now, GB2 could've been a lot better but still, I love the movie as much as the first one.

[Ghosthead83]

@krisfrosz133 Yeah I know what you mean. When I was a kid I only liked the movies for the effects and ghosts. It's adult humor, and Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis even said that they didn't realize how much it would appreal to kids. Now that I'm older I can finally appreciate the comedy as well as it's incorporated with the effects.

[Elfrunner]

@Ghosthead83

Really? When I was a kid watching the first Ghostbusters, most of what my friends and I noticed was the dialogue between the team. We'd spend a lot of time quoting it.

[TheCultivatedMind]

One of the most underrated movies of all time!

[jmg3116]

This was a awesome sequel, S&E just hated Sequels/Remakes.

[Nomadar]

I really agreed with Siskel and Ebert on this one to be honest... it was really boring. I watched it a couple years back, and I've never been so disappointed with a film.

[cvm8281]

Well I guess you had to be a kid to appreciate part II which is what I think part II was aimed at but can't always trust Siskel and Ebert, they booed, Independence Day.

[LiquidArmProduction]

Screw u, they're both great

[WCWite]

I agree Ghostbusters 2 was a dissapiontment

[toffee20]

i watched Ghostbusters 2 for the first time in over ten years and I thought it actually holds up pretty well. Has got some great ideas and is actually very funny! Is a heck of a lot better then most of the stuff thats churned out today.

[smoketunes]

Ghostbusters 2 is better that painting was creepy

[stonewolf1886]

Ghostbusters 2 is better then the first one. Plus, Ebert says he doesnt believe in reviewing the audience unless it suits his point. Lastly, what the fuck does Siskel & Ebert think about the Bond or Indiana Jones films or the bourne movies for today's audience. The same fucking thing over and over again so what is the point? they just wanted to stick it to a successful comedy.

[TheLostIdea]

@stonewolf1886- I understand that you really enjoyed Ghostbusters 2, but I don't agree with you saying the Siskel & Ebert gave it a bad review to stick it to a succesful comedy. Most people didn't like this movie and that includes the cast of the movie. Have you ever heard what Bill Murray has said about how much he hates this movie? I have to agree. The first one was a classic and this one had the statue of liberty walking down the street controlled by ooze that dances to music. Enough said.

[wasteland70]

@TheLostIdea I agree. I saw the first Ghostbusters in the theater when it came out. I guess I was about thirteen. It just gets better each time I watch it now. The second one was without any energy, plus, I thought the Annie Pots character was sweet on Egon? And why wasn't Dana still a concert musician? I just didn't get it. Very cool screen name, by the way. Kind of appropriate for the subject at hand.

Take Care.

[stonewolf1886]

@TheLostIdea OKay, let's address this point by point. The basis for there review of this movie was contradictory to other reviews they've given. 2) Bill Murray has not said "I hated this movie". He said he was disappointed that the special effects took over and that the funniest scenes in the movie belonged to him. 3) Saying that the statue of liberty dancing to ooze is the reason for this movie being "not good" is also ridiculous. And what is most people when the movie made 112.4 million?

[darkmindedsith]

@stonewolf1886

What exactly do you mean by "And what is most people when the movie made 112.4 million"? This could easily mean that tons of people went to go see it and were disappointed.

[stonewolf1886]

@darkmindedsith OKay, sure. Let's go with that.

[reyoki]

I love Ghostbusters 2 because its Ghostbusters 2. That's it.

[MikeTupperTheKiller]

thats bullshit, ghostbusters 2 was great and it goes hand in hand with the first one

[jin12345678]

I LOVED the movie!! it was creepier, darker and more suspenseful than the first movie. I love slime, I love ghostbusters, I love sigourney weaver and bill murray. On top of that the movie had a message!lol

[spicneo]

I saw this when it first came out i was hooked with this movie and i still watch it i don't watch ghostbusters to laugh i watch it for the awesomeness ... and when the new ghostbusters 2 6" figures come out on Christmas you best believe i will have them.

[QuietGiantProduction]

ghostbusters 2 isn't as bad as people say it is. it's still a very good film but its not as good as the first one.

[icebluelink]

I sadly agree with these two. Ghostbusters 2 fell short into the horrible category of "For Kids". I used to love #2 sooo much till puberty hit and i realized there wasn't really anything at all that was entertaining or gripping. I mean where was the ghostbusting in this movie? And my Biggest compliant was that in the first film A demigod AND a Giant marshmallow bad-ass are the final challenges the ghostbusters face. In #2 a ghost... painting. THEY also did that in Mario 64!

[sniper112086]

i love the sequal and as for the dude just saw it you cant watch a 20 yr old movie that you've never seen and expect to be entertained sure the second film didnt have as many laughs but thats cuz it was geared toward youth hence the soundtrack kids dont care about jokes they want physical humor and action and both films deliver that

[patsflysfan2]

I hated that movie. Hated, hated, hated, hated, hated that movie. Hated it. Hated every single minute of it. I want my hour and 40 minutes back. I saw it last night.

[HECTOR2006ELPASO]

I agree with this review completely. I went to see this movie as a kid and was very disappointed. The first one was much better.

[consman22]

@HECTOR2006ELPASO I agree

[ravenrage07]

I know ppl will hate me for this. I never saw this movie because I saw the 1st one. Now the reason I didn't like the 1st one was because I just found it a bit boring. It's one of those movies thats literally blown outa proportion of THIS IS THE BEST MOVIE EVER! And you have high hopes then it just seems lackluster because it is so popular.

[Ghosthead83]

@ravenrage07 Wow I've nevr heard anybody say that they didn't like the first Ghostbusters. Even people who aren't a die-hard fn (like me) generally like it. The second one is oviously under debate, even though I'll love it forever. But I see what you mean. Maybe other people think the same way but just don't have the guts to say it LOL

[FuckWorkdays]

@Ghosthead83 I actually agree with ravenrage07, but I still saw the second one

[Imaculata]

@Ghosthead83 Frankly I love both Ghostbusters movies, but the first one relies a lot more on witty dialogue. And not everyone will love these movies for the same reasons of course. I think GB2 worked very well because it was a lot more scary. Seeing the painting scenes as a little boy, they really scared me. Which is a great combination with the humor.

[DanRSL]

@ravenrage07

Thumbs up for stating your opinion like a reasonable person.

Although I disagree, I can see why you might find it boring. Ghostbusters is snarky. It's really heavy on the cynicism, and if you don't really like Bill Murray's schtick and Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis as arguably over-the-top straight men, then you won't like Ghostbusters.

I like the movie, but agree with you that it does get a sort of inflated praise.

[Ghosthead83]

@ravenrage07 It doesn't seem lackluster to me. I actually prefer certain parts of this 2 over 1. But's the first will always be the best.

[red4me1]

I COMPLETELY agree with them. Ghostbusters 1 was good. but Ghostbusters 2 was shit.

[chrisklecker]

I agree with somewhat. The movie itself lacks the charm of the first and the laughs are a bit more forced. It's as if they had to inject fun in order for the movie to be fun and that was not the case in the first one. The first one was good but its own merits. This one was good because it rode the coattails of the first one. It's a good movie and I liked it. But I have to agree with them somewhat. They good have done better with this one.

[chrisklecker]

@chrisklecker: yikes to my typos.

[dangodoffire]

ebert has a mouth

[videor44]

Ghostbusters 2 sucked!!! They were right and anyone who liked it has NO TASTE!

[Norax7]

I really have to disagree with these critics and any other who hated ghostbusters 2. I loved ghostbusters It was a great film the humour the scares kept me laughing. The second one, yes i agree it is a copy of the first film but it had a total different atmosphere to it. the baby as stated in the video makes the change by focusing the story on the love life of peter and dana. however i thought that the sort of reboot of the ghostbusters getting their jobs back was great.

[SianyInVideoland]

Loved it when I was a kid. LOVED IT. But now I agree with Siskel & Ebert.

[HighlyTENSE]

Yet they both liked Die Hard 2 which also falls for sequelitis. I think GB2 is different enough in terms of a sequel.... and it continues what we liked about the first film... what is so wrong with that? I laughed plenty. Not as good as the first, but solid in its own right.

[woollybully100]

wow this is the complete opposite of how i feel about this film.

[Ghosthead83]

same here. i loved it. i didn't realize that a lot of fans and critics thought it was pointless and humorless. Ebert complains it's too much like the first but when he reviewed Indy and the crystal skull, he said he liked it because it had more of the same elements of the other three movies and that's why he liked it. he's definitely a Hippo crate in that respect.

[Imaculata]

@Ghosthead83 Ebert likes Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and he hates Ghostbusters 2? That's it, someone fire this man as a movie reviewer, seriously.