Ghostbusters: Difference between revisions

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Five years later, New Yorkers have decided the events of the first film were all just a publicity stunt and sued the heroes, who went bankrupt and have gone on to more mundane jobs: Ray and Winston are performing as Ghostbusters in uniform for birthday parties, Peter is a cable TV host discussing the paranormal, and Egon is doing sociology research. But then the ghosts start returning, and soon the Ghostbusters are back in business. Top of their list is investigating a strange river of slime in an abandoned subway tunnel that seems to thrive on negative emotions and produce new ghost hauntings.

Meanwhile, at the museum where Dana works, her boss becomes a [[The Renfield|Renfield]] for the ghost of [[Big Bad|Vigo the Carpathian]], an ancient tyrant [[Sealed Evil in A Can|trapped in a painting]]. Vigo has Dana's son kidnapped, intending to [[Grand Theft Me|take over the child's body]]. <ref> As a side note, [[The Renfield]] in question actually went on to play Renfield for real in [[Mel Brooks]]' spoof ''[[Dracula Dead and Loving It]]''.</ref>

Meanwhile, at the museum where Dana works, her boss becomes a [[The Renfield|Renfield]] for the ghost of [[Big Bad|Vigo the Carpathian]], an ancient tyrant [[Sealed Evil in a Can|trapped in a painting]]. Vigo has Dana's son kidnapped, intending to [[Grand Theft Me|take over the child's body]]. <ref> As a side note, [[The Renfield]] in question actually went on to play Renfield for real in [[Mel Brooks]]' spoof ''[[Dracula: Dead and Loving It]]''.</ref>

When the Ghostbusters finally figure things out and arrive on scene, the museum is cocooned by the slime they were investigating and maintained as a physical manifestation of the negative emotions of New Yorkers. To counter this, the Ghostbusters animate the Statue of Liberty. Cue final confrontation.

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[[Expanded Universe]]

'''''[[~~Ghostbusters the Video Game (Video Game)|~~Ghostbusters the Video Game]]'''''

'''''[[Ghostbusters the Video Game]]'''''

In 2009, a video game adaptation was released, written and performed by the original casts, that acts as a third story. Two years after the second movie, the Ghostbusters are doing well. The new mayor rode into office on pro-Ghostbusting legislation: New York directly pays the Ghostbusters for doing their job, and [[Hero Insurance|insures all of their collateral damage]]. In addition, their research on paranormal activity has given them enough cash to develop new technology, which allows them to hire a young intern (the player character) to test it out for them. However, a Gozer exhibit at the local museum triggers a reawakening of the forces unleashed in the first movie...

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Because Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis were a key part of developing the story, they have stated that this game is in the same [[Continuity]] as the movies. Interestingly, there are still some variations to the plot that occur with three distinct versions: a "Realistic" version for the Playstation 3, X-Box 360 and PC; a "Stylistic" version for the Playstation 2, PSP and Wii; and a version for [[Nintendo DS]] that has totally different gameplay (and doesn't even have the rookie). The console games were very well received and applauded for being a unique and dynamic gaming experience. Tropes relating specifically to the Video Game (especially video game tropes) should go on the page for the game.

The films produced a popular [[Animated Adaptation]] ''[[~~The Real Ghostbusters (Animation)|~~The Real Ghostbusters]]'', which had its own [[Spin-Off]], ''[[~~Extreme Ghostbusters (Animation)|~~Extreme Ghostbusters]]''. As a rule of thumb, they aren't in continuity with the movies (and the later video game) but are otherwise based on the same story and [[Magic A Is Magic A|internal principles]] that the movies introduced. Any tropes applying to those series belong on those pages.

The films produced a popular [[Animated Adaptation]] ''[[The Real Ghostbusters]]'', which had its own [[Spin-Off]], ''[[Extreme Ghostbusters]]''. As a rule of thumb, they aren't in continuity with the movies (and the later video game) but are otherwise based on the same story and [[Magic a Is Magic A|internal principles]] that the movies introduced. Any tropes applying to those series belong on those pages.

There was also a [[Role Playing Game]] developed by West End Games; set after the first movie, the players were cast as owners/employees of a ''Ghostbusters'' franchise in their local community. In addition to ghosts, adventure hooks could feature encounters with other paranormal creatures and incidents, including vampires, aliens, and time-travelers. A revised version of the game, ''Ghostbusters International'', was published in 1989 following the release of ''Ghostbusters II''. It was eventually named as one of "The Millennium's Most Underrated Games" by ''Pyramid'' magazine.

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* [[Did You Just Flip Off Cthulhu?]]: Why yes, yes they do...right before arming the proton packs.

* [[Did You Just Punch Out Cthulhu?]]: Oh yes. Gozer the Gozerian gets beaten by [[Forbidden Chekhov's Gun|crossing the streams]]. They also fight what is expressly described as "Deity" ghosts in the game.

* [[Fan Film]]: Has inspired a whole slew of fan films based on the idea of Ghostbusters becoming a franchise business and organized in other cities. This includes ''[[A Nightmare On Elm Street|Freddy]] [[X Meets Y|Vs. Ghostbusters]]'', ''The Denver Ghostbusters'' and ''[[Ghostbusters SLC]]''.

* [[Fan Film]]: Has inspired a whole slew of fan films based on the idea of Ghostbusters becoming a franchise business and organized in other cities. This includes ''[[A Nightmare on Elm Street|Freddy]] [[X Meets Y|Vs. Ghostbusters]]'', ''The Denver Ghostbusters'' and ''[[Ghostbusters SLC]]''.

* [[Fantastic Science]]: Two of the three original characters, Ray and Egon, are legitimate paranormal researchers that channel their knowledge into the business of "paranormal investigations and eliminations." Peter for his part is both a psychologist and parapsychologist, so he contributes the human relations and [[Only Sane Man]] elements.

* [[Five-Man Band]]: Being scientists, all of the Ghostbusters (save Winston) can double as [[The Smart Guy]].

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* [[Ghostly Goals]]: Usually of the highly destructive variety.

* [[A Half Dozen Guys in A Basement]]

* [[Jerk ~~With~~ a Heart of Gold]]: ''Venkman''.

* [[Jerk with a Heart of Gold]]: ''Venkman''.

{{quote| '''Venkman''': "Type somethin', will ya? We're payin' ya for this stuff. And don't stare at me, ya got the bug-eyes...." (pauses) "Janine, sorry about the bug-eyes thing, I'll be in my office."}}

* [[Lovable Coward]]: For all his charm and bravado, Peter Venkman is not the bravest of men. With a few exceptions any acts of heroism on his part will usually be very very reluctant ones. That said, he will step up to the plate if necessary; he just won't be very happy about it. Of course, we still like him, because he's Peter Venkman.

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* [[Science Is Bad]]: Inverted; the Ghostbusters' scientific methods always prove to be the only effective way of dealing with the supernatural, and the only use for other schools of thought is to provide info on what they're dealing with.

* [[Science Is Wrong]]: See above.

* [[Sealed Evil in A Can]]: The Ghostbusters' containment grid in the first film and Vigo's portrait in the second.

* [[Sealed Evil in a Can]]: The Ghostbusters' containment grid in the first film and Vigo's portrait in the second.

* [[Shown Their Work]]: The films are actually very, ''very'' thoroughly researched, a side-effect of Aykroyd's own interest in the paranormal. For instance, Peter's treatment of the Zuul-possessed Dana is based on actual advice from exorcists and psychiatrists for dealing with cases of [[Demonic Possession|possession]] and [[Split Personality|DID]], respectively (i.e. you are ''never'' supposed to let the other personality remain in control; this is why he keeps insisting to talk to "Dana", and tries to ignore Zuul).

* [[Signs of the End Times]]:

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{{quote| '''Peter:''' Ray has gone bye-bye, Egon. What have you got left?<br />

'''Egon:''' Sorry, Venkman. [[That Makes Me Feel Angry|I'm terrified beyond the capacity for rational thought]]. }}

* [[Hoist By His Own Petard]]: The Ghostbusters had only just figured out the significance of Zuul, Gozer, Ivo Shandor, and Dana Barret's apartment building by the time of the final confrontation. Dana, their first customer, only came to them when she did because she saw their commercial on TV, and she only saw them on TV because it was on when she got home. It is implied that it was on when she got home because of paranormal activity in her apartment (along with the eggs and the doomfridge). If Zuul coulda just dialed it back on the poltergeisting, Gozer would have been triumphant.

* [[Hoist by His Own Petard]]: The Ghostbusters had only just figured out the significance of Zuul, Gozer, Ivo Shandor, and Dana Barret's apartment building by the time of the final confrontation. Dana, their first customer, only came to them when she did because she saw their commercial on TV, and she only saw them on TV because it was on when she got home. It is implied that it was on when she got home because of paranormal activity in her apartment (along with the eggs and the doomfridge). If Zuul coulda just dialed it back on the poltergeisting, Gozer would have been triumphant.

* [[Hope Spot]]: For a moment, it looks like they've vaporized Gozer and all's good with the world. Then Egon chimes in with "Ray, this looks extraordinarily ''bad''." Cue Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man.

* [[I Am Not Spock]]: According to the DVD commentary, the first movie ruined William Atherton's life, what with random people yelling "Hey, dickless!" at him on the streets and all...

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{{quote| '''Peter:''' See you on the other side, Ray.<br />

'''Ray:''' Nice working with you, Dr. Venkman. }}

* [[It Is Beyond Saving]]: In the [[Backstory]] Shandor believed this about society in general, which is why he wanted to cause [[The End of the World As We Know It]].

* [[It Is Beyond Saving]]: In the [[Backstory]] Shandor believed this about society in general, which is why he wanted to cause [[The End of the World as We Know It]].

* [[It Was Here, I Swear]]: Dana sees a temple and terror dogs in her fridge. Later, she brings Peter to investigate:

{{quote| '''Peter''': (peeking inside) Oh, my God... Look at all the junk food!<br />

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'''Dr. Peter Venkman:''' Yes, I'm Dr. Venkman, Dr. Stantz, Egon... }}

* [[Styrofoam Rocks]]: At the end, when debris falling is from the top of the skyscraper. In one shot you can see a rock, which had supposedly tumbled from several hundred feet in the air, fall straight down and bounce off of a wooden police barrier.

* [[Tailor-Made Prison]]: All of the ghosts who get captured get placed into the nuclear-powered Containment Unit. Instant Catastrophe? [[Sealed Evil in A Can|Turn off the Unit.]]

* [[Tailor-Made Prison]]: All of the ghosts who get captured get placed into the nuclear-powered Containment Unit. Instant Catastrophe? [[Sealed Evil in a Can|Turn off the Unit.]]

* [[This Cannot Be!]]: Ray's reaction at seeing the Stay-Puft monster.

* [[Trust Me, I'm an ~~X|Trust Me, I'm An~~ X]]: "Back off, man, I'm a scientist."

* [[Trust Me, I'm an X]]: "Back off, man, I'm a scientist."

* [[The Tunguska Event]]: A throw-away line near the end has Ray telling Louis that he was part of the biggest crossover event since this, implying that it was a ghost thing.

* [[Uncomfortable Elevator Moment]]: The scene wherein the Ghostbusters are heading up to the floor of their first real assignment. "Why worry? Each of us is wearing an unlicensed nuclear accelerator on his back." Cue the other two shuffling comedically away in the tight space.

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** Also a couple when the ghosts swarm New York in the movie. The ''Titanic'' finally reaches New York, and the mayor is visited (and berated by) the late Mayor LaGuardia.

* [[History Marches On]]: When the ''Titanic'' is shown arriving in port, it has a huge hole in the prow.

* [[Hoist By His Own Petard]]: The Ghostbusters use a positively-charged version of Vigo's slime to animate the Statue of Liberty, which allows them to bypass the slime barrier surrounding the Manhattan Museum of Modern Art. The slime blowers are then key to incapacitating Janosz and {{spoiler|the possessed Ray}} without hurting them. When Vigo is forced back into the painting, the slime blowers are the only weapon that visibly hurt him.

* [[Hoist by His Own Petard]]: The Ghostbusters use a positively-charged version of Vigo's slime to animate the Statue of Liberty, which allows them to bypass the slime barrier surrounding the Manhattan Museum of Modern Art. The slime blowers are then key to incapacitating Janosz and {{spoiler|the possessed Ray}} without hurting them. When Vigo is forced back into the painting, the slime blowers are the only weapon that visibly hurt him.

* [[Jerkass]]: Egon with his hilariously cruel experiments, including fooling a couple into thinking they are there for marriage counseling and watching them from behind a two-way mirror, then making them wait for hours and slowly pushing up the temperature.

{{quote| '''Egon''': [[For Science!|"Lets see what happens when we take away the puppy."]]}}

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{{quote| '''Winston:''' Can't you go any faster?<br />

'''Ray:''' I'm afraid the vibrations would shake her to pieces. We should have padded her feet... }}

* [[Theme Tune Cameo]]: Ray and Winston try to sing the GB theme song at a birthday party for "ungrateful yuppie larvae", but sadly, they're shouted down by their cries for [[He-Man and ~~The~~ Masters of ~~The~~ Universe ~~(Animation)~~|He-Man]].

* [[Theme Tune Cameo]]: Ray and Winston try to sing the GB theme song at a birthday party for "ungrateful yuppie larvae", but sadly, they're shouted down by their cries for [[He-Man and the Masters of the Universe|He-Man]].

* [[Weaponized Landmark]]: The Statue of Liberty.

* [[Why Did It Have to Be Snakes?]]: Apparently Winston has an aversion to rats.