Defending: Ghostbusters II

Over the years, and with the recent increase of news on the supposedly upcoming Ghostbusters 3, I've heard nothing from fan's and movie sites BUT resentment over Ghostbusters II.

I ask why?

Seriously, what's wrong with Ghostbusters II.

On many levels, I enjoy it MORE than the first. I sincerely believe that the hatred that get's strewn across the face of awesomeness that is this flick comes solely from the coolness that IS Bill Murray.

Murray was and is still famously unhappy with the sequel. So much so that it is the only sequel (besides the second Garfield film) that he has ever done. But then again, this is coming from a man who voiced the Garfield sequel.

I've always been curious why Murray or anyone for that matter doesn't like Ghostbusters II. In many ways it's funnier, and more entertaining. I also believe it's vastly more quotable which is saying something since the original Ghostbusters is EXTREMELY quotable.

Personally I believe that Bill started a fire with minor complaints. He obviously had his own issues with the movie. Since most of us love Murray and respect the man, we listen to what he has to say. Therefore, I believe that his influence is large and that since most people are sheep, we've allowed a cool man's opinion of something to taint our view of it on a whole. The guy has a problem with something...BOOM...so does the rest of the world. But in reality, what is there to have a problem with?

The movie starts with our heroes being somewhat detached from one another and screwed over deeply after the events of the first film. It's a dark start for our heroes. But they pull through. They've gone on to do other things and survive in different lifestyles and careers. A new villain rises, one who is equal parts insane, a joke, and powerful. This of course makes for a great Ghostbusters story that see's the boys getting back into the job and facing a very real threat while being able to have a laugh at it.

I've tried to view Ghostbusters II many times through the view of an unbiased lens. I've always come out the same way: It's a good movie. It's different enough from the first to be taken seriously, and in fact, it's darker than the original while keeping the characterizations the same and adding new faces that are just as enjoyable and funny as the peeps we met, know, and love from the first movie.

In Vigo the Carpathian, we meet a villain that is both omnipotent and yet human. He is a caricature of his time and of our own view of old world Europe. He has power but is still vulnerable. He's a great foil for the Ghostbusters because while he is completely irrelevant to this world and a total joke for us, he WANTS to come and live in OUR world.  He's also a great riff on Dracula. Or should I say the historical Dracula, Vlad Tempes, or Vlad the Impaler. Or as Vigo the Butch...Again, only making this movie that more awesome.

And then of course there is the message of hope and positivity versus evil and negativity that is expressed through the usage of slime and the Statue of Liberty.

Vigo is taking all of the negative emotions in New York City and turning it into psychokinetic slime/sludge (this meaning that the material that is created out of the psycho-emanations from the average human being can be used by Vigo to physically manipulate the world and enviornment as he sees fit) that enables him to do all sorts of misdeeds from building impenetrable shells over museums to lashing out at people through plumbing systems.

The Ghostbusters learn to counteract this by using positivity to change the energy of the slime (or psycho-emanations) and propel it towards a good purpose.

Seriously, what's wrong with this film? Because I don't see any problems.

I see a continuation of the first film. A story that about the power of friendship and the humor of the natural world coupled with the supernatural. I see a story about friends coming together to face evil with nothing more than wits, will, humor, and heart. Positivity versus negativity.

Ghostbusters II embraces this and more.

It should be defended.

"Oh, Johnny did you back the wrong horse."

"Do you know who dis is? Is Vigo!!! You are all like the buzzing of flies to 'im!"

"Only a CARPATHIAN would come back to life NOW and choose New York!"

"If you had BRAIN ONE one that HUGE MELON of top of your neck..."

These are all examples of quotes that I seriously use on a weekly basis. True, most people don't get them, but then again, most people don't get my obscure movie quotes.