For the days leading up to Christmas, Strangers and Aliens presents 24 Christmas movies that aren’t Christmas movies, but really kind of are, for various reasons.
#18 — Ghostbusters 2
What it’s supposed to be: The sequel to the surprise hit Ghostbusters. And some would say everything that’s wrong with sequels.
Why it’s a Christmas movie: On New Year’s this year the world will end. But in the days leading up to that, the Ghostbusters are getting back into the business. And while they do that, there are some Christmas trees, poinsettias, and even a scene where the boys wear Santa caps! Meanwhile, moving through the Christmas season is just inching us toward New Years’, the real “deadline”.
Thoughts: After two favorites in a row, it stands to reason I’d come across one that I just didn’t care about, right?
And I just don’t care about Ghostbusters. I didn’t see the first one when it came out, although I saw the popular parts here and there. And I had no interest in the second one.
But I went ahead and watched it for this series. It was free. It was legal. So it didn’t cost me anything and I wasn’t breaking the law. Good enough.
The story is, in a nutshell, that all the negative energy of the city of New York are feeding evil slime in the sewers. And when the Ghostbusters try to do something about it, the Mayor tells them, “Being miserable and treating other people like dirt is every New Yorkers’ God-given right.” Sounds like they need some holiday cheer. There’s some sort of twisted twist on the nativity there, possibly — a baby is meant to bring evil to the world during the Christmas season, but that’s reading way too much into it. Besides, the baby was born way before Christmas and doesn’t get used for evil until New Years’ Eve.
And it wasn’t bad. Bill Murray is watchable in everything he does. Dan Ackroyd, too. And Sigourney Weaver always has presence. So it was fun to watch them in their prime having fun in an amusing movie. I don’t find it as awful as its reputation. Rick Moranis plays the Rick Moranis type well. (Favorite line: “I used to have a roommate, but then Mom moved to Florida.”) Peter MacNicol is especially hammy as the evil villain’s toady. And the weird ghosts are suitable. The story meanders and isn’t anything deep, but the ending is just cheesy and audacious enough for me to appreciate it, not hate it.
Is It Naughty or Nice? All things considered, it’s a mediocre movie. I have no desire to ever watch this movie again, but if they ever make a Ghostbusters 3, I’d go and see it. But . . .
Santa Ben’s Verdict: Naughty.
Your verdict? Let me know below in the comments!
Next: Rocky IV
Previous: 12 Monkeys
You can follow this series of posts by clicking here: Strange Christmas Movies
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