Containment Security

Ghostbusters Discussion Ghostbusters: Answer the Call (2016)
1

Was just thinking, does anyone else feel like there is a serious lapse in security for the firehouse in the movies. When the guys are gone, all you have to do is get by Janine and you have access to the containment system and the ability to shut it down much like Peck did, unleashing hell on the city. Add to that spare packs which are nuclear accelerators laying around etc and it does seem rather negligent. Perhaps that could be addressed or even a plot point in the new film, some “Ghost Hunters” types breaking in to steal equipment. I’d love to see Egon create a safer system that requires some sort of code key or pin number to shut down. Maybe even higher a security guard or appoint Slimer to the task?

Also if they go with the out of buissness angle again, what happened to all the ghosts in the containment unit at the end of 2?

2

Good questions, but that was the point. They were inexperienced, ungoverned and doing a job completely new to the world. On top of that, they used home made, untested, unlicensed nuclear powered equipment that had the potential to singe body hair, stop all life as we know it, and possibly sterilise male users.

Within the time scale of the films it was observed that the government wasn’t as “health and safety” as it is today, as the Ghostbusters had no real interference going about their business. The only problem they ever ran into was that they couldn’t pay a repair bill! It was just accepted that what they did was normal; if you imagine that in the real world there would be so much red tape over equipment safety standards, environmental hazards, public health and safety, and not to mention equipment and business costs.

In the films they were treated like any other sanitation/extermination firm by the public, so they never had any concerns regarding the containment unit or other equipment because people just didn’t care. To the public they were doing a job, as you can tell in the first film by the amount of applicants they had for an opening, and by the way they were treated through most of the second film.

If the Ghostbusters were real, do you think they’d be treated the same way? HELL NO! I know for one my resumé would be printed on gold leaf and delivered by unicorn just to make sure it was seen amongst the thousands of others!

Also, remember that the game was basically canon for the third story, so what happens in the game follows on from the end of GB2. You have a good point though. It would be nice to see the third film follow on from the game. For example, a larger containment unit in a bigger basement like the game and cartoons. And maybe some kind of throwback to the game’s equipment.

We have to remember that the film may be set in modern times, so about 14 years will have passed since the last story was told so we can’t expect the same black proton packs, or even the same Ghostbusters as an operation.

I don’t think that the equipment should be modernised as some people have stated (white and aluminium Apple-style?!), but i honestly have no good ideas about what it should be like. The only thing i can think of is that they should set it only a few years after the game. That gives them plenty of time to build up to a new story, but would still allow them use the same equipment we all recognise and love. Well, maybe not exactly the same, but close enough that it doesn’t cause outcry. Can you imagine an iPad style proton pack or battery powered Ecto-1?

If they set it in modern times they would probably be able to introduce a better story, but the equipment, etc. would have to be modernised otherwise it wouldn’t make sense, but in the process this would destroy a huge chunk of what makes Ghostbusters what it is. So i think the best compromise is to not make the jump in time in the film as far ahead as modern times. To me that’s the only way to keep GB what it is, and to keep the fans happy. Does anyone have any better ideas about this? I like to think occasionally some of the cast/writers check over this site to consider incorporating them into their work.

3

I do like the idea of exploring the GB’s security system (or lack thereof) a little bit more, and making some drama out of that.

I remember an episode of XGB where Kylie and Eduardo have their proton pack and gun stolen by some low-life creeps, and Egon had quite the panic attack!

I don’t think that “Ghost Hunters” should co-exist in the GB universe though. It kinda seems like having witch doctors co-exist with brain surgeons.

4

One of the things that made Ghostbusters funny was that they claimed to be professional and to gave the impression that they knew what they were doing when in fact they didn’t. Most of the time they’d try to wing it and act on impulse. They’d never have a security system, at least not one that works anyway.

5

A) They were in over their heads, kinda winging it. Which is part of the comedy of it all.

B) This was 1984. Security doesn’t matter in America for another 17 years.

6

i understand what your talking about but don’t forget that they started out as ghost hunters. egon was at first one of those odd super genius guys working in the backgound of scociety like doc brown from back to the future. doc brown made a time machine and egon figured out how to capture ghost’s. i kinda look at ghost hunting as the building blocks in creating ghostbusting. they got there paranormal information and investigative skills from ghost hunting and must have had to take alot of that knowledge and skills into the ghostbusting field. just my opinion tho.