Movie Review
Let’s get something straight. This isn’t a horrible movie. It’s not as good as it could have been, but it’s not terrible. There are some pretty decent laughs throughout. The problem comes that they tried too hard to replicate the jokes from the original Ghostbusters instead of finding their own comedy, which they do at times.
The cameos from the three remaining original Ghostbusters were okay, with Bill Murray probably having the best of them all, but in my opinion they were wasted by not using them as their actual Ghostbuster characters.
I’m usually hit or miss when it comes to Kristen Wiig. This time around she was more toward the hit once she moved away from the awkward professor. Melissa McCarthy is as funny as usual and Leslie Jones was a little too loud in my opinion. It was however, Kat McKinnon that stole the movie. Every scene she’s in she owned and was by far the funniest of all the characters.
The extended cut adds roughly 15-minutes of extra footage. However, the nosebuster sequence helps fill a small hole in the film, which I will not ruin here. I can’t tell you to watch this movie, but I’m glad I did. It’s found a new audience with my little ladies who are now Ghostbuster fans thanks to this film.
Video
Not much fault in Blu-ray video these days. However, there was some slight contrast problems with the Ghostbuster Extended cut. This is most notable in the beginning as you’re unable to make out the color on the tour guides coat in most of the early scenes. The films color palette does a great job of setting the sci-fi/paranormal setting of the film.
Details are usually sharp. There are few moments where faces appear washed out, but that could be the lighting on set and not a fault of the video. You can see the thread details in the clothing, and pixels on the monitor when they zoom in. All in all. This is a decent transfer that is blemished by having some contrast issues.
Audio
Sony uses the full sound floor with this DTS-HD Master 5.1 audio track. Dialog is never impacted by sound effects. The surrounds are well utilized and the sub pounds when it needs too.
Sony did decide to leave the Dolby Atmos track off the standard BD release despite including it on the 4k BD.
Extras
The release seems to contain a lot, if you include that there are two versions of the film on here, however, there is a lot of repetitiveness and mediocre features. The Ghostbusters Extended Edition contains two Audio Commentaries. The first with writer/director Paul Feig and writer Katie Dippold. The second with editor Brent White, producer Jessie Henderson, production designer Jeff Sage, visual effects supervisor Pete Travers and special effects supervisor Mark Hawker.
There are two Gag Reels and I’m not really sure why. There is also nearly 10-minutes of Delete Scenes, which contains most of the gag reel material. There are over 20-minutes of Extended and Alternate Scenes and a feature called Jokes A Plenty that is them running off different lines in the same them.
Paul Feig discusses the actresses in Meet the Team and The Ghosts of Ghostbusters discuss all the ghosts in the movie. There is a look into the film cutting edge special effects in Visual Effects: 30 Years Later. There is also a look at the goo in Slime Time. A better look at the comedic talent of Kevin in Chris Hemsworth is “Kevin”. A Photo Gallery is also included.
Conclusions and Final Thoughts
Put your personal feelings aside and give it a watch. It’s not as bad as it’s been made out to be. There are a decent amount of extras, but they are mediocre at best. The audio and video do not disappoint. All in all, if you enjoy the film this wont’ be a bad disc to add to your collection.
