A Review of Ghostbusters 1 & 2 on Blu-ray

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The release of the Ghostbusters 1 & 2 Blu-ray is finally upon us, and will be out in stores tomorrow. We got our copy a few days early so that we could write up a review and check out the special features (and they are special!). We’ll be keeping the straight review here, and spoilers, screenshots and more will be posted here.

Lets start with the Ghostbusters 1 Blu-ray.

The Ghostbusters Blu-ray features a lot of carryover from the previous Blu-ray release and even the 1999 DVD release. This Blu-ray is basically a reissue of the previous Blu-ray release. It does have some new content and most of the content from previous releases is included. New special features include a gallery of some of the artwork from the 30th Annivserary traveling art show, alternative takes (from 4:3 TV broadcasts), Ray Parker Jr’s music video, a high quality transfer of the Ghostbusters trailer and a round table discussion between Dan Aykroyd and Ivan Reitman. The actual movie transfer appears to be the same as the last 4K Mastered release with only minor changes with sharpness, brightness and coloration. If you already have the most recent Ghostbusters Blu-ray release, this might not be worthwhile to pick up unless you have to see the new special features. What you aren’t going to want to miss is the Ghostbusters 2 Blu-ray release however…

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The Ghostbusters 2 Blu-ray is amazing to finally have. This Blu-ray was original planned to be released FIVE years ago for the 20th Anniversary of Ghostbusters 2, but for some reason it was not. Lets just say that as paultry as the selection of special features is, they are worth seeing. There are a full six minutes of deleted scenes (spoilers here) that could have changed the whole tone of the movie. There are unfortunately a few good ones we would have liked to have seen included that were not, but perhaps one day. One of the best special features on the Blu-ray (and there are really only 4 in total) was a collection of original Ghostbusters 2 trailers, one of which was very interesting (I’ll leave that up to you to discover). As for the actual transfer of the film, since Ghostbusters 2 was filmed on a higher quality film stock, the quality of the transfer is amazing. Colors, levels and everything is exactly as it is intended. Since it is several times the quality and resolution of DVD, there are a TON of new things to discover, and having watched through the film over the weekend… you will discover them!

Picking up Ghostbusters on Blu-ray tomorrow? Ghostbusters Fans has a $5 OFF coupon just for you. Print it and redeem at major retailers across the US!

Continue reading here if you want to learn more, warning CONTAINS SPOILERS.

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We have gone through the Blu-rays and compiled lists of what is exactly found in the special features section. We’re using spoiler tags, so if you don’t want to know… don’t click!

Ghostbusters Alternative Takes

[spoiler]These are already all out around the internet from the actual TV broadcasts. The quality of these is really good though. Probably taken from original broadcast masters. They are already down to 4:3 and pan & scan.

-The Ghostbusters emerge from the hotel ballroom: “What a knock about pure fun that was.”

-Dana being attacked by a terror dog: “Oh no.”

-After the storage protection grid, Egon says “No.” in response to losing the Keymaster.

-Winston has seen “stuff” that will turn you white.

-Walter Peck threatens with a court order, and Peter says he will sue his “funny face” for wrongful prosecution.

-Walter Peck at the mayor’s office is referred to as “some kind of rodent”.[/spoiler]

Time is But a Window: Ghostbusters II and Beyond

[spoiler]Part 2 of the round table discussion between Ivan Reitman and Dan Aykroyd. Ivan Reitman and Dan Aykroyd discuss the production of Ghostbusters 2 and how it was different to make than the first film. Dan discusses Ernie Hudson and how important his character was in Ghostbusters 2, as he was the one the audience could relate to the most, and therefore had the most memorable scenes. (Many of his great scenes were still cut from the final film, see deleted scenes).

The interview concludes with a discussion about the future of Ghostbusters, and the projects that have come since Ghostbusters 2. These project include namely: The IDW Comic Series, Ghostbusters: The Video Game, the Real Ghostbusters and merchandise. On a final note they discuss Ghostbusters 3 and the passing of Harold Ramis.[/spoiler]

Ghostbusters 2 Deleted Scenes

[spoiler]Dana’s Curse

Following the scene where Peter, Egon and Ray investigate the street with Dana. A small conversation with Dana where she asks if she is cursed for this kind of thing occuring so often to her. Egon gives her a technical answer and Peter tries to console her.

[Album] Dana's Curse

El Gato, The Cat

Deleted scene between Peter and Dana taking place in the courtroom. Dana apoligizes for the guys being in this situation and Peter jokes about Dana providing a conguigal visit in prison. Peter says he always lands on his feed like El Gato, the Cat.

[Album] El Gato, The Cat

Sewer Invitation

Alternative scene where the Egon, Ray and Winston show up at Peter’s apartment to invite Peter down into the sewer. Some same dialog that occured in the final version of the movie. Peter sarcastically asks if Dana would rather go down into the sewer, and Dana steps out of the other room in her green gown. Peter closes the door.

[Album] Sewer Invitation

Louis’ Secret

We see Louis walking down the stairs of the firehouse wearing a Proton Pack, in an attempt to hunt Slimer. He hunts for Slimer and until he sees the ghost in the rear view mirror attached to his glasses. He starts up the Proton Pack and blasts at Slimer, narrowly missing Janine in the process. Janine informs Louis that Slimer isn’t a problem and not to worry about it. Louis professes to Janine that he is the 5th Ghostbuster.

[Album] Louis' Secret

Peter’s Concern

Short exchange between Peter and Mayor Lenny outside the museum. Interrupted by Jack who wants to use the problem at the museum as a publicity stunt. They are interupted by Ray who proclaims that something must be done.

[Album] Peter's Concern

Jack Buys It

Alternative scene to the one above. Jack “Hard on” Hardemeyer comes after the Ghostbusters for causing a problem at the museum. The Mayor asks the fire chief (from Ghostbusters 1) if they can get through the slime shell. The Mayor asks Peter if there is anything they can do, and Jack shows up and tries to get through the slime himself. He is sucked into the slime wall and his shoes are ejected. The mayor asks what they will need.

[Album] Jack Buys It

Driving Miss Liberty

A series of deleted scenes from inside the head of the statue of liberty. Winston proclaims to the others that he has never visited the statue of liberty as they procede to walk into the water. Cut Winston asks how deep the water is because he doesn’t want to go for a swim. Egon informs Winston how long he would survive in the cold water. Peter and Ray argue over what streets to take the Statue of liberty. Ray is concerned about one of the streets being a one way, and doesn’t want to get a traffic ticket.

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Ghostbusters 2 Trailers

[spoiler]Teaser Trailer

A short 1 minute trailer that is similar to the longer ‘Trailer 1’ without a few of the other scenes.

Trailer 1

This trailer is the one that is most commonly seen. I believe it was the one that was also on the Ghostbusters 1999 DVD. Has a few deleted scenes (one from “Peter’s Concern” above).

Trailer 2

A very dramatic Ghostbusters 2 trailer. It is likely this trailer came out after the movie was already in theaters, in an attempt to attract a different audience. It features a different narrator and paints the movie in a completely different light than the previous trailers. It only uses footage from the final cut of the movie, with the exception of one alternative dialog by Egon in the jewelry store. It is also intercut with Randy Edelman’s score in a way the previous trailers were not.[/spoiler]

The posts below this one may contain spoilers. Read with caution.

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No Ecto-1A road rage??? Booooo!

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I pre-ordered my “special edition” set off amazon a while back. Arrived today, (day early), so I am quite pleased atm. Pretty happy with the set. Ghostbusters was as expected, but Ghostbusters 2 I am impressed with. Movie looks great and pretty happy with the extra deleted scenes, specifically Louis vs slimer, a bit shorter than I expected, but funny.

Special edition set came with a little statue of slimer too. The sculpt is nice, colors are bright, and Its almost as big as the video game statue from a few years back. (A nice alternate piece for those looking for something to use with your 12" matty figures.)

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Question… where did this image in the first post originate?

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I was very happy to see that whoever shopped in the familiar publicity pic of the trio as a reflection in Ecto’s window took the logical extra step of reversing their name-tapes so they looked like a mirror image.

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But as I compared the end result to four different versions of the original among my archives, I noticed that the building windows aren’t in quite the same places anymore.

Which makes me wonder, was it an alternate photo from the same shoot which has simply eluded my attention, or did the photo-shopper also adjust the windows behind their heads for some reason?

Alex

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Except that’s not logical. The names wouldn’t switch sides in a reflection. The writing would be reversed, but the name tag wouldn’t switch sides.

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They would… the reflection is a mirror image. They would appear on the opposite side, which is what the Photoshop achieved correctly.

The image is the main menu from the new Blu-ray.

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Ok yea I was wrong about that point. I threw myself off by looking at the original image and not thinking of what side the nametags are actually on. It does mirror the nametags correctly (though not sure if the names are written in reverse now too, can’t tell).

However, the artist didn’t change the logo on Ray’s or Peter’s arm… so not entirely accomplished correctly I would say.

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I had to think about it through myself. I think Alex might be the only person that will notice the name patches are flipped! :wink:

Here is a full size copy of the two menus:

[Album] Ghostbusters Blu-ray Menu

This is gonna be a spoiler.

Indeed there are! In fact the Blu-ray is full of promotional photos that haven’t been seen before. They are mostly in the 2 part documentary that are included in part on each Blu-ray. There are several publicity shots like this and they have edits / fades between them. There are maybe 6 different photos where it shows two versions of it in succession.

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I’m super excited.

SUPER EXCITED. We would have given anything for these features ten years ago. Having seen the Press reels and other materials doesn’t change the magnitude of these additional features.

The only scene I really wish was included was the final scene after Libby had been restored.

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Good catch on the windows. I’m not sure exactly what’s going on there. It definitely looks like the same shot/pose. EDIT-- just checked out the full-res screen shot AJ posted… they’re different shots.

For as much Photoshop work that went in to that, you think they would have fixed the firehouse. The doors and brick are supposed to be black in GB1 images.

I can’t WAIT to check this thing out! Thanks for the deleted scene screen shots, AJ. The quality of the deleted scenes looks pretty good.

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The GB II Menu photo is my new desktop background!

Is the art on the GB 1 disc still the reversed international logo as it is in the official press images? I find it strange that this is the first US home media release to use the reversed logo.

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Cheers AJ for high-resolution backgrounds.Getting these printed out for posters :slight_smile:

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Hey, I’ve got the first issue (only the first, alas) of the Now Comics adaptation of GBII…I want to say that first bit is included in the comic, and I KNOW the second one is. :cool:

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Looking forward to seeing all of the special features for Ghostbusters II, especially the interview with Dan Ackroyd and Ivan Reitman.

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Winston made it to the main menu!

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Once again nobody seems to cares about the Fort Detmerring deleted scene :confused:

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I was very excited to see more of the superhero in the Louis scene!

But ultimately I was quite let down over the “meh” attention that gb2 received, it felt quite rushed and the deleted scenes as cool as they are… are just a small taste of what I was hoping for. :sigh:

But still cool to have them both on blu ray. And it’s good to have all the special features from the first one on the one disk.

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I was hoping for this as well…